bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alterations of the volatile metabolome in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Kimball Bruce A. , Wilson Donald A. , Wesson Daniel W.
Published: January 2016

In the present study, we tested whether the volatile metabolome was altered by mutations of the Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-implicated amyloid precursor protein gene (APP) and comprehensively examined urinary volatiles that may potentially serve as candidate biomarkers of AD. Establishing additional biomarkers in screening populations for AD will provide enhanced diagnostic specificity and will be critical in evaluating disease-modifying therapies. Having strong evidence of gross changes in the volatile metabolome of one line ofAPPmice, we utilized three unique mouse lines which over-express human mutations of theAPPgene and their respective non-transgenic litter-mates (NTg). Head-space gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of urinary volatiles uncovered several aberrant chromatographic peak responses. We later employed linear discrimination analysis and found that the GC/MS peak responses provide accurate (>84%) genotype classification of urinary samples. These initial data in animal models show that mutantAPPgene expression entails a uniquely identifiable urinary odor, which if uncovered in clinical AD populations, may serve as an additional biomarker for the disease.
Effect of topical rebamipide on conjunctival goblet cell recovery after vitrectomy
Authors: Kato Kumiko , Takashima Yuko , Matsunaga Koichi , Sugimoto Masahiko , Matsubara Hisashi , Hirano Koji , Kondo Mineo
Published: January 2016

In vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that topical rebamipide will increase the number of goblet cells in the bulbar conjunctiva. The purpose of this study was to determine whether topical rebamipide will enhance the recovery of conjunctival goblet cells that were damaged during vitrectomy. Forty patients who underwent vitrectomy surgery were studied. The 40 patients consisted of 20 with diabetes mellitus (DM) and 20 patients without DM. They were randomized in a 1:1 ratio into groups that were treated or not treated with topical 2% rebamipide after the surgery. Impression cytology was performed at the end of surgery and at 14 days after the surgery. The mean goblet cell density of each specimen was determined by averaging the total number of goblet cells obtained from three consecutive high magnification microscopic images. In patients without DM, the mean goblet cell density at 14 days after the vitrectomy was significantly higher in eyes with topical rebemipide than in eyes without rebemipide (P < 0.01). In patients with DM, a similar tendency was observed but the difference was not significant (P = 0.09). These results suggest that topical rebamipide can be helpful in patients with globlet cell damage that occur during and after vitrectomy.
Soil microbial responses to forest floor litter manipulation and nitrogen addition in a mixed-wood forest of northern China
Authors: Sun Xiao-Lu , Zhao Jing , You Ye-Ming , Jianxin Sun Osbert
Published: January 2016

Changes in litterfall dynamics and soil properties due to anthropogenic or natural perturbations have important implications to soil carbon (C) and nutrient cycling via microbial pathway. Here we determine soil microbial responses to contrasting types of litter inputs (leaf vs. fine woody litter) and nitrogen (N) deposition by conducting a multi-year litter manipulation and N addition experiment in a mixed-wood forest. We found significantly higher soil organic C, total N, microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN), microbial activity (MR) and activities of four soil extracellular enzymes, including β-glucosidase (BG), N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG), phenol oxidase (PO) and peroxidase (PER), as well as greater total bacteria biomass and relative abundance of gram-negative bacteria (G-) community, in top soils of plots with presence of leaf litter than of those without litter or with presence of only fine woody litter. No apparent additive or interactive effects of N addition were observed in this study. The occurrence of more labile leaf litter stimulated G-, which may facilitate microbial community growth and soil C stabilization as inferred by findings in literature. A continued treatment with contrasting types of litter inputs is likely to result in divergence in soil microbial community structure and function.
Styrofoam modified paper as a low-cost platform for qualitative and semi-quantitative determination of Ni2+ ions in wastewater
Authors: Rashid Muhammad Imtiaz , Mujawar Liyakat Hamid , Ismail Iqbal M. I. , El-Shahawi Mohammad Soror
Published: January 2016

In the present article we have demonstrated a swift and low-cost method to design hydrophobic paper and its potential applications for the determination of Ni2+ ions in wastewater.
Evaluation of new micro solid-phase extraction cartridges for on-column derivatisation reactions
Authors: Pandohee Jessica , Jones Oliver A. H.
Published: January 2016

A novel on-column derivatisation technique using micro solid-phase extraction (μ-SPE) cartridges has been evaluated and applied to the derivatisation of short-chain fatty acids in olive oil.
Simultaneous determination of rabeprazole enantiomers and their four metabolites after intravenous administration in beagle dogs by a stereoselective HPLC-MS/MS method and its application in pharmacokinetic studies
Authors: Cao Na , Liu Lei , Hao Yuan-bin , Sun Li-li , Zou Qiao-gen , Ma Xing-ling , Xiong Kai-he
Published: January 2016

A sensitive, rapid and stable HPLC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the determination of rabeprazole enantiomers and their four metabolites in beagle dog.
Super-fast synthesis of ZnO nanowires by microwave air-plasma
Authors: Subannajui K.
Published: January 2016

Zn swarf is used as the plasma ignitor inside a microwave to produce air plasma for rapid synthesis of ZnO nanowires.
Metal free earth abundant elemental red phosphorus: a new class of visible light photocatalyst and photoelectrode materials
Authors: Ansari Sajid Ali , Ansari Mohammad Shahnawaze , Cho Moo Hwan
Published: January 2016

A proposed photocatalytic mechanism for the photodegradation of RhB over RP under visible photoirradiation.
Graphene oxide: an effective acid catalyst for the synthesis of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers from methanol and trioxymethylene
Authors: Wang Ruiyi , Wu Zhiwei , Qin Zhangfeng , Chen Chengmeng , Zhu Huaqing , Wu Jianbing , Chen Gang , Fan Weibin , Wang Jianguo
Published: January 2016

Graphene oxide as an acid carbocatalyst performs excellently in the synthesis of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers from methanol and trioxymethylene.
Selective hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone using in situ generated ruthenium nanoparticles derived from Ru–NHC complexes
Authors: Tay Boon Ying , Wang Cun , Phua Pim Huat , Stubbs Ludger Paul , Huynh Han Vinh
Published: January 2016

Ruthenium(ii) NHC complexes give rise to highly active and selective ruthenium nanoparticles for the conversion of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone in water.
Efficient elimination of caffeine from water using Oxone activated by a magnetic and recyclable cobalt/carbon nanocomposite derived from ZIF-67
Authors: Andrew Lin Kun-Yi , Chen Bo-Chau
Published: January 2016

To eliminate caffeine, one of the most common pharmaceuticals and personal care products, from water, Oxone (peroxymonosulfate salt) was proposed to degrade it.
Developing nitrosocarborane chemistry
Authors: Powley Samuel L. , Schaefer Louise , Man Wing. Y. , Ellis David , Rosair Georgina M. , Welch Alan J.
Published: January 2016

New nitrosocarboranes or their hydroxylamine or Diels–Alder cycloadducts have been prepared and fully characterised.
Evaluation of toxicity of nanoclays and graphene oxide in vivo: a Paramecium caudatum study
Authors: Kryuchkova Marina , Danilushkina Anna , Lvov Yuri , Fakhrullin Rawil
Published: January 2016

We report here the successful use of a protozoan model organismP. caudatumto investigate the toxicity of clay nanoparticles (montmorillonite, halloysite, kaolin, and bentonite), silica nanospheres and graphene oxide nanoflakes.
Sea cucumber (Codonopsis pilosula) oligopeptides: immunomodulatory effects based on stimulating Th cells, cytokine secretion and antibody production
Authors: He Li-Xia , Zhang Zhao-Feng , Sun Bin , Chen Qi-He , Liu Rui , Ren Jin-Wei , Wang Jun-Bo , Li Yong
Published: January 2016

This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulating activity of small molecule oligopeptides from sea cucumber (Codonopsis pilosula) (SOP) in mice.
Gem-difluoromethylated and trifluoromethylated derivatives of DMDP-related iminosugars: synthesis and glycosidase inhibition
Authors: Li Yi-Xian , Kinami Kyoko , Hirokami Yuki , Kato Atsushi , Su Jia-Kun , Jia Yue-Mei , Fleet George W. J. , Yu Chu-Yi
Published: January 2016

Gem-difluoromethylated and trifluoromethylated derivatives of DMDP-related iminosugars have been synthesized from cyclic nitrones and assayed against various glycosidases.
Vinylidenedithiophenmethyleneoxindole: a centrosymmetric building block for donor–acceptor copolymers
Authors: Zhang Weifeng , Zheng Naihang , Wei Congyuan , Huang Jianyao , Gao Dong , Shi Keli , Xu Jie , Yan Donghang , Han Yanchun , Yu Gui
Published: January 2016

A novel building block (VDTOI) was designed and synthesized. VDTOI-based copolymers exhibit a high mobility of 0.35 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Near room-temperature thermocatalysis: a promising avenue for the degradation of polyethylene using NiCoMnO4 powders
Authors: Li Ke , Zhao Juan , Zhang Yu , Wu Pei , Zhang Zhenming
Published: January 2016

Low-temperature thermocatalytic degradation of LDPE is successfully achieved by NiCoMnO4 powders.
Polymer/graphene oxide composite microcapsules with greatly improved barrier properties
Authors: Zhang Lingyun , Zhang Yi , Xu Hongyun , Wang Haitao , Du Qiangguo
Published: January 2016

Microcapsules with excellent barrier property are fabricated by Pickering emulsion templating stabilized using relatively lipophilic GO nanosheets to achieve good dispersion of GO in polymer shells.
Synthesis and characterization of low specific resistance alumina-clay–carbon composites by colloidal processing using sucrose as a soluble carbon source for electrical applications
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Bhargava Parag
Published: January 2016

Switching resistors in high voltage circuit breakers require the use of materials with low specific resistance which can sustain high temperatures for short durations, have high thermal conductivity and thermal shock resistance.
Linking photoluminescence of α-Si3N4 to intrinsic point defects via band structure modelling
Authors: Huang Zhifeng , Chen Fei , Shen Qiang , Zhang Lianmeng
Published: January 2016

Photoluminescence properties have been connected to intrinsic point defects for Si abundant (red bar) and N plentiful (blue bars) α-Si3N4via band structure modelling using DFT calculations.
Characterization of graphene edge functionalization by grating enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Hung Yu-Ju , Hofmann Mario , Cheng Yang-Chin , Huang Chia-Wei , Chang Kai-Wen , Lee Jih-Yin
Published: January 2016

We demonstrate a large enhancement of edge related Raman features, associated with armchair and zigzag hydrogen-terminated graphene edges. The graphene edges act as good scatterers to excite LSPP on a noble metal surface.
Microfibrillated cellulose reinforced bio-based poly(propylene carbonate) with dual-responsive shape memory properties
Authors: Qi Xiaodong , Jing Mengfan , Liu Zhenwei , Dong Peng , Liu Tianyu , Fu Qiang
Published: January 2016

A novel biodegradable polymer-based composite with excellent dual-responsive shape memory properties based on poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC)/microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) was prepared.
Intra-articular delivery of a methotrexate loaded nanostructured lipid carrier based smart gel for effective treatment of rheumatic diseases
Authors: Shinde Chetan G. , Pramod kumar T. M. , Venkatesh M. P. , Rajesh K. S. , Srivastava Atul , Osmani Riyaz Ali M. , Sonawane Yogesh H.
Published: January 2016

A nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) based smart gel of methotrexate (MTX) was developed as a potential system for the treatment of rheumatic diseases (RD).
Modeling of CO2/CH4 gas mixture permeation and CO2 induced plasticization through an asymmetric cellulose acetate membrane
Authors: Saberi M. , Hashemifard S. A. , Dadkhah Ali. A.
Published: January 2016

A mathematical model for permeation and diffusion of mixed gases in glassy polymeric membranes in the presence of plasticization was derived.
Fast pseudocapacitive reactions of three-dimensional manganese dioxide structures synthesized via self-limited redox deposition on microwave-expanded graphite oxide
Authors: Zeng Wencong , Zhao Yuan , Ni Kun , Zhu Yanwu
Published: January 2016

Self-limited redox reaction between KMnO4 and microwave-expanded graphite oxide was utilized to deposit birnessite-type MnO2 3D structures on the surface of MEGO.
Adsorption of tungstate on kaolinite: adsorption models and kinetics
Authors: Ruiping Li , Chunye Lin , Xitao Liu
Published: January 2016

The adsorption characteristics of tungstate onto kaolinite have been studied using batch experiments under ambient temperature.
The synthesis and excellent electromagnetic radiation absorption properties of core/shell-structured Co/carbon nanotube–graphene nanocomposites
Authors: Qi Xiaosi , Hu Qi , Xu Jianle , Xie Ren , Jiang Yang , Zhong Wei , Du Youwei
Published: January 2016

We report the synthesis of Co/carbon nanotube–graphene which has attractive microwave absorbing abilities. The optimal reflection loss can reach −65.6 dB with a thickness of 2.19 mm, and RL values below −20 dB for almost the whole frequency range.
Nanostructured molybdenum phosphide/N,P dual-doped carbon nanotube composite as electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution
Authors: Zhao Yang , Wang Shuo , Li Chunyan , Yu Xianbo , Zhu Chunling , Zhang Xitian , Chen Yujin
Published: January 2016

MoP/N,P dual-doped carbon nanotube composite exhibited excellent activity and long-term stability toward HER both in acidic and alkaline media, superior to most of catalysts reported previously.
γ-Radiation effect on Th4+ extraction behaviour of TODGA/[C2mim][NTf2]: identification and extractability study of radiolytic products
Authors: Yuan Weijin , Wang Congzhi , Ao Yinyong , Zhao Long , Shi Weiqun , Zhai Maolin
Published: January 2016

TODGA would react with [C2mim]+ radical under γ-radiation, this radiolytic product kept integral functional group and possessed extractability for Th4+.
Large scale preparation of silver nanowires with different diameters by a one-pot method and their application in transparent conducting films
Authors: Ding Hongwei , Zhang Yujuan , Yang Guangbin , Zhang Shengmao , Yu Laigui , Zhang Pingyu
Published: January 2016

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) with varied diameters were synthesized by a facile and efficient one-pot polyol method. Each run of the reaction with this method can provide more than 10 g of AgNWs.
Enantioselectivity switch in copper-catalyzed conjugate addition reactions under the influence of a chiral N-heterocyclic carbene–silver complex
Authors: Matsumoto Keitaro , Nakano Yuki , Shibata Naoatsu , Sakaguchi Satoshi
Published: January 2016

The reversal of enantioselectivity using the same catalytic system was achieved simply by changing the order of the addition of substrates.
Water soluble stimuli-responsive star copolymers with multiple encapsulation and release properties
Authors: Das Sandip , Chatterjee Dhruba P. , Ghosh Radhakanta , Das Pradip , Nandi Arun K.
Published: January 2016

Stimuli-responsive, water soluble, nontoxic, star-copolymers showing reversible encapsulation and release of hydrophobic dye/drug molecule with increasing temperature and decreasing pH.
A low cost and quasi-commercial polymer film chip for high-throughput inertial cell isolation
Authors: Zhang Xinjie , Huang Di , Tang Wenlai , Jiang Di , Chen Ke , Yi Hong , Xiang Nan , Ni Zhonghua
Published: January 2016

We propose a novel scheme for fast fabrication (<20 minutes) of ultra-low-cost (∼1.5 cents) polymer film chips using laser direct writing and roll-to-roll lamination.
Structural and spectroscopic studies of a rare non-oxido V(v) complex crystallized from aqueous solution
Authors: Leggett C. J. , Parker B. F. , Teat S. J. , Zhang Z. , Dau P. D. , Lukens W. W. , Peterson S. M. , Cardenas A. J. P. , Warner M. G. , Gibson J. K. , Arnold J. , Rao L.
Published: January 2016

A non-oxido V(v) complex with glutaroimide-dioxime (H3L), a ligand for recovering uranium from seawater, was synthesized from aqueous solution as Na[V(L)2]·2H2O, and the structure determined by X-ray diffraction.
Extremely condensing triplet states of DPEPO-type hosts through constitutional isomerization for high-efficiency deep-blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence diodes
Authors: Zhang Jing , Ding Dongxue , Wei Ying , Xu Hui
Published: January 2016

An asymmetric constitutional isomer of the thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) host DPEPO, named 24′DPEPO, endowed deep-blue TADF diodes with state-of-the-art performance, including external quantum efficiency beyond 20%.
Tuning protein mechanics through an ionic cluster graft from an extremophilic protein
Authors: Tych Katarzyna M. , Batchelor Matthew , Hoffmann Toni , Wilson Michael C. , Paci Emanuele , Brockwell David J. , Dougan Lorna
Published: January 2016

Proteins from extremophilic organisms provide excellent model systems to determine the role of non-covalent interactions in defining protein stability and dynamics as well as being attractive targets for the development of robust biomaterials.
Ultrafast high energy supercapacitors based on pillared graphene nanostructures
Authors: Wang Wei , Ozkan Mihrimah , Ozkan Cengiz S.
Published: January 2016

Herein we report the optimized growth of pillared graphene nanostructures (PGNs) on nickel foil substrates. The PGN supercapacitor demonstrates excellent cycling stability, and outstanding electrochemical reversibility under high rate, leading to energy storage devices with superb cycling stability and outstanding power density.
Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of hollow TiO2-coated CeO2nanocontainers encapsulating silver nanoparticles for controlled silver release
Authors: Gagnon J. , Clift M. J. D. , Vanhecke D. , Widnersson I. E. , Abram S.-L. , Petri-Fink A. , Caruso R. A. , Rothen-Rutishauser B. , Fromm K. M.
Published: January 2016

This novel type of nanocontainers offers the concept of potentially controlling silver delivery for the prevention of implant-associated infections.
Band gap and work function tailoring of SnO2for improved transparent conducting ability in photovoltaics
Authors: Ganose Alex M. , Scanlon David O.
Published: January 2016

Alloying of PbO2with SnO2results in a material with a tuneable band gap, larger electron affinity and smaller electron effective mass, whilst maintaining high levels of optical transparency. These properties are expected to give rise to a more efficient transparent conducting oxide for use in photovoltaic applications.
Correction: Testing and validating electroanalytical simulations
Authors: Kätelhön Enno , Compton Richard G.
Published: January 2016

Correction for ‘Testing and validating electroanalytical simulations’ by Enno Kätelhön and Richard G. Compton, Analyst, 2015, 140, 2592–2598.
Correction: Copper-mediated cyanation of indoles and electron-rich arenes using DMF as a single surrogate
Authors: Zhang Lianpeng , Lu Ping , Wang Yanguang
Published: January 2016

Correction for ‘Copper-mediated cyanation of indoles and electron-rich arenes using DMF as a single surrogate’ by Lianpeng Zhang et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2015, 13, 8322–8329.
Disease causing mutations in inverted formin 2 regulate its binding to G-actin, F-actin capping protein (CapZ α-1) and profilin 2
Authors: Rollason Ruth , Wherlock Matthew , Heath Jenny A. , Heesom Kate J. , Saleem Moin A. , Welsh Gavin I.
Published: January 2016

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a devastating form of nephrotic syndrome which ultimately leads to end stage renal failure (ESRF). Mutations in inverted formin 2 (INF2), a member of the formin family of actin-regulating proteins, have recently been associated with a familial cause of nephrotic syndrome characterized by FSGS. INF2 is a unique formin that can both polymerize and depolymerize actin filaments. How mutations in INF2 lead to disease is unknown. In the present study, we show that three mutations associated with FSGS, E184K, S186P and R218Q, reduce INF2 auto-inhibition and increase association with monomeric actin. Furthermore using a combination of GFP–INF2 expression in human podocytes and GFP-Trap purification coupled with MS we demonstrate that INF2 interacts with profilin 2 and the F-actin capping protein, CapZ α-1. These interactions are increased by the presence of the disease causing mutations. Since both these proteins are involved in the dynamic turnover and restructuring of the actin cytoskeleton these changes strengthen the evidence that aberrant regulation of actin dynamics underlies the pathogenesis of disease.
Excimer laser assisted re-oxidation of BaTiO3 thin films on Ni metal foils
Authors: Bharadwaja S. S. N. , Rajashekhar A. , Ko S. W. , Qu W. , Motyka M. , Podraza N. , Clark T. , Randall C. A. , Trolier-McKinstry S.
Published: January 2016

Excimer laser assisted re-oxidation for reduced, crystallized BaTiO3 thin films on Ni-foils was investigated. It was found that the BaTiO3 can be re-oxidized at an oxygen partial pressure of ∼50 mTorr and substrate temperature of 350 °C without forming a NiOx interface layer between the film and base metal foil. The dielectric permittivity of re-oxidized films was >1000 with loss tangent values <2% at 100 Hz, 30 mVrms excitation signal. Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy indicated that BaTiO3 thin films can be re-oxidized to an oxygen stoichiometry close to ∼3 (e.g., stoichiometric). High resolution cross sectional transmission electron microscopy showed no evidence of NiOx formation between the BaTiO3 and the Ni foil upon excimer laser re-oxidation. Spectroscopic ellipsometry studies on laser re-oxidized [001]C and [111]C BaTiO3 single crystals indicate that the re-oxidation of BaTiO3 single crystals is augmented by photo-excitation of the ozone, as well as laser pulse induced temperature and local stress gradients.
Adjoint Fokker-Planck equation and runaway electron dynamics
Authors: Liu Chang , Brennan Dylan P. , Bhattacharjee Amitava , Boozer Allen H.
Published: January 2016

The adjoint Fokker-Planck equation method is applied to study the runaway probability function and the expected slowing-down time for highly relativistic runaway electrons, including the loss of energy due to synchrotron radiation. In direct correspondence to Monte Carlo simulation methods, the runaway probability function has a smooth transition across the runaway separatrix, which can be attributed to effect of the pitch angle scattering term in the kinetic equation. However, for the same numerical accuracy, the adjoint method is more efficient than the Monte Carlo method. The expected slowing-down time gives a novel method to estimate the runaway current decay time in experiments. A new result from this work is that the decay rate of high energy electrons is very slow when E is close to the critical electric field. This effect contributes further to a hysteresis previously found in the runaway electron population.
Development of the experimental procedure to examine the response of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites subjected to a high-intensity pulsed electric field and low-velocity impact
Authors: Hart Robert J. , Zhupanska Olesya I.
Published: January 2016

A new fully automated experimental setup has been developed to study the response of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites subjected to a high-intensity pulsed electric field and low-velocity impact. The experimental setup allows for real-time measurements of the pulsed electric current, voltage, impact load, and displacements on the CFRP composite specimens. The setup includes a new custom-built current pulse generator that utilizes a bank of capacitor modules capable of producing a 20 ms current pulse with an amplitude of up to 2500 A. The setup enabled application of the pulsed current and impact load and successfully achieved coordination between the peak of the current pulse and the peak of the impact load. A series of electrical, impact, and coordinated electrical-impact characterization tests were performed on 32-ply IM7/977-3 unidirectional CFRP composites to assess their ability to withstand application of a pulsed electric current and determine the effects of the pulsed current on the impact response. Experimental results revealed that the electrical resistance of CFRP composites decreased with an increase in the electric current magnitude. It was also found that the electrified CFRP specimens withstood higher average impact loads compared to the non-electrified specimens.
Efficient measurement of point-to-set correlations and overlap fluctuations in glass-forming liquids
Authors: Berthier Ludovic , Charbonneau Patrick , Yaida Sho
Published: January 2016

Cavity point-to-set correlations are real-space tools to detect the roughening of the free-energy landscape that accompanies the dynamical slowdown of glass-forming liquids. Measuring these correlations in model glass formers remains, however, a major computational challenge. Here, we develop a general parallel-tempering method that provides orders-of-magnitude improvement for sampling and equilibrating configurations within cavities. We apply this improved scheme to the canonical Kob-Andersen binary Lennard-Jones model for temperatures down to the mode-coupling theory crossover. Most significant improvements are noted for small cavities, which have thus far been the most difficult to study. This methodological advance also enables us to study a broader range of physical observables associated with thermodynamic fluctuations. We measure the probability distribution of overlap fluctuations in cavities, which displays a non-trivial temperature evolution. The corresponding overlap susceptibility is found to provide a robust quantitative estimate of the point-to-set length scale requiring no fitting. By resolving spatial fluctuations of the overlap in the cavity, we also obtain quantitative information about the geometry of overlap fluctuations. We can thus examine in detail how the penetration length as well as its fluctuations evolve with temperature and cavity size.
Radial Bargmann representation for the Fock space of type B
Authors: Asai Nobuhiro , Bożejko Marek , Hasebe Takahiro
Published: January 2016

Let να,q be the probability and orthogonality measure for the q-Meixner-Pollaczek orthogonal polynomials, which has appeared in the work of Bożejko, Ejsmont, and Hasebe [J. Funct. Anal. 269, 1769–1795 (2015)] as the distribution of the (α, q)-Gaussian process (the Gaussian process of type B) over the (α, q)-Fock space (the Fock space of type B). The main purpose of this paper is to find the radial Bargmann representation of να,q. Our main results cover not only the representation of q-Gaussian distribution by van Leeuwen and Maassen [J. Math. Phys. 36, 4743–4756 (1995)] but also of q2-Gaussian and symmetric free Meixner distributions on ℝ. In addition, non-trivial commutation relations satisfied by (α, q)-operators are presented.
Correlated proton-electron hole dynamics in protonated water clusters upon extreme ultraviolet photoionization
Authors: Li Zheng , Vendrell Oriol
Published: January 2016

The ultrafast nuclear and electronic dynamics of protonated water clusters H+(H2O)n after extreme ultraviolet photoionization is investigated. In particular, we focus on cluster cations with n = 3, 6, and 21. Upon ionization, two positive charges are present in the cluster related to the excess proton and the missing electron, respectively. A correlation is found between the cluster's geometrical conformation and initial electronic energy with the size of the final fragments produced. For situations in which the electron hole and proton are initially spatially close, the two entities become correlated and separate in a time-scale of 20 to 40 fs driven by strong non-adiabatic effects.
Magnetic microchains and microswimmers in an oscillating magnetic field
Authors: Ido Yasushi , Li Yan-Hom , Tsutsumi Hiroaki , Sumiyoshi Hirotaka , Chen Ching-Yao
Published: January 2016

Superparamagnetic micro-bead chains and microswimmers under the influence of an oscillating magnetic field are studied experimentally and numerically. The numerical scheme composed of the lattice Boltzmann method, immersed boundary method, and discrete particle method based on the simplified Stokesian dynamics is applied to thoroughly understand the interaction between the micro-bead chain (or swimmer), the oscillating magnetic field, and the hydrodynamics drag. The systematic experiments and simulations demonstrated the behaviors of the microchains and microswimmers as well as the propulsive efficiencies of the swimmers. The effects of key parameters, such as field strengths, frequency, and the lengths of swimmer, are thoroughly analyzed. The numerical results are compared with the experiments and show good qualitative agreements. Our results proposed an efficient method to predict the motions of the reversible magnetic microdevices which may have extremely valuable applications in biotechnology.
Human induced pluripotent stem cells derived endothelial cells mimicking vascular inflammatory response under flow
Authors: Wang Li , Xiang Meng , Liu Yingying , Sun Ning , Lu Meng , Shi Yang , Wang Xinhong , Meng Dan , Chen Sifeng , Qin Jianhua
Published: January 2016

Endothelial cells (ECs) have great potential in vascular diseases research and regenerative medicine. Autologous human ECs are difficult to acquire in sufficient numbers in vitro, and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer unique opportunity to generate ECs for these purposes. In this work, we present a new and efficient method to simply differentiate human iPSCs into functional ECs, which can respond to physiological level of flow and inflammatory stimulation on a fabricated microdevice. The endothelial-like cells were differentiated from human iPSCs within only one week, according to the inducing development principle. The expression of endothelial progenitor and endothelial marker genes (GATA2, RUNX1, CD34, and CD31) increased on the second and fourth days after the initial inducing process. The differentiated ECs exhibited strong expression of cells-specific markers (CD31 and von Willebrand factor antibody), similar to that present in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In addition, the hiPSC derived ECs were able to form tubular structure and respond to vascular-like flow generated on a microdevice. Furthermore, the human induced pluripotent stem cell-endothelial cells (hiPSC-ECs) pretreated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were susceptible to adhesion to human monocyte line U937 under flow condition, indicating the feasibility of this hiPSCs derived microsystem for mimicking the inflammatory response of endothelial cells under physiological and pathological process.
Beneficial soil microbe promotes seed germination, plant growth and photosynthesis in herbal crop Codonopsis pilosula
Authors: Wu Yong-Na , Feng Yu-Lan , Paré Paul W. , Chen Ying-Long , Xu Rui , Wu Shan , Wang Suo-Min , Zhao Qi , Li Hui-Ru , Wang Yin-Quan , Zhang Jin-Lin
Published: January 2016

Bacillus subtilis strain GB03 enhances growth and photosynthesis in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and several crop plants. In the present study, the effects of seed soaking with GB03 suspension culture and its volatile organic compounds on seed germination of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. were investigated, and soil-grown C. pilosula seedlings were assayed to measure growth and photosynthetic capacity after soil inoculation with GB03. Both seed soaking with GB03 suspension culture and the presence of volatile organic compounds enhanced seed germination, especially seed germination vigour. GB03 significantly improved shoot and root length, branching, plant biomass (whole plant fresh and dry weight), leaf area and chlorophyll content in C. pilosula seedlings after 20, 40 and 60 days of soil inoculation. GB03 significantly enhanced transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate, but decreased intercellular CO2 concentration. This study provides insight for the application of selected bacteria to improve biomass in Chinese herbal crops.
French loanwords in Korean
Authors: Jacobs Haike
Published: January 2016

This paper discusses the Korean adaptation of French word-final coronal plosives. They are adapted, just as the English ones, with or without vowel insertion. In the latter case they are treated as ending in underlying /s/. Replacement of word-final coronal plosives by underlying /s/ is also active in the native phonology. We will critically discuss a number of previous proposals and argue that they are unable to describe the two aspects in a uniform way. We propose to model frequency and lexical knowledge in the form of a markedness hierarchy which accounts for both loanword adaptation of final coronal plosives as underlying /s/ and for the analogical pressure within the native phonology.
Effects of hot pressing temperature on microstructure, hardness and corrosion resistance of Al2NbTi3V2Zr high-entropy alloy
Authors: Tan X.-R. , Zhao R.-F. , Ren B. , Zhi Q. , Zhang G.-P. , Liu Z.-X.
Published: January 2016

A novel lightweight high-entropy alloy Al2NbTi3V2Zr was fabricated by vacuum hot pressing. The effects of sintering temperature (1200–1550°C) on the microstructure, hardness and corrosion resistance of the alloy were investigated. Results showed that Al2NbTi3V2Zr mainly consisted of simple cubic matrix and (Zr, Al)-based intermetallic phase (α-phase) at sintering temperatures of 1200–1350°C. Moreover, the matrix phase transformed from simple cubic to body-centred cubic phase, and (Ti, Zr, Al)-based intermetallic precipitated from the matrix at temperature of 1450°C. The fabricated Al2NbTi3V2Zr alloy had low density of 5.05–5.23 g cm–3, high hardness of 510–728 HV and excellent corrosion resistance in 10 wt-% HNO3 solution.
The invisible hands: women in Marikana
Authors: Benya Asanda
Published: January 2016

When we think of Marikana we think of the infamous event that took place on 16 August 2012, leading to the death of 34 striking miners. Scholarly analysis takes this further than the event to broader labour–capital relations. While useful, the examination of Marikana through this lens tends to privilege the production sphere and lends itself mainly to the exploration of the workplace; the workers, their employers and the union. In this article, the author argues that exclusive reliance on this lens is inadequate and inevitably results in many silences, one of which is the silencing of the reproduction sphere and, by extension, women. To fully understand Marikana the event, one has to understand Marikana the location, and hence realities and conditions on the ground. Such an analysis of Marikana is not only useful because it sheds light on the reproduction space, but also because it allows us to look at women who are usually ignored when talking about mines.
Enclave Rustenburg: platinum mining and the post-apartheid social order
Authors: Bezuidenhout Andries , Buhlungu Sakhela
Published: January 2016

In the absence of a levelling out of income and resources, as well as arbitrary violence in everyday life, the post-apartheid social order is characterised by the formation of various enclaves. In the platinum mining town of Rustenburg, these enclaves are constructed on the foundations of the apartheid categories ‘suburb’, ‘compound’, ‘township’ and ‘homeland’. Such enclaves include security villages, converted compounds with access control, and informal settlements with distinctive gender, linguistic and class formations. The article draws on David Harvey's formulation of absolute, relative and relational space and the case of Rustenburg to elaborate the concept of enclave further.
The unmaking and remaking of industrial relations: the case of Impala Platinum and the 2012–2013 platinum strike wave
Authors: Chinguno Crispen
Published: January 2016

This article reviews a form of corporatism, underpinned by the institutionalisation of industrial relations as a means of attaining order post-apartheid. Drawing from the experience of Impala Platinum, it examines why an industrial relations system may become inadequate, generating insurgent unionism. The article shows how corporatism comes with a cost, undermining trade union internal democracy and alienating it from the shop floor. The article argues that the institutionalisation of industrial relations is not fixed but precarious and is continuously being reconfigured, generating new forms of conflict and solidarity. Moreover, it crystallises a particular balance of organisational and institutional power that may be configured into various forms. Ultimately, the crisis of the National Union of Mineworkers presented in this case study highlights the crisis of the corporatist social contract that constitutes the basis of post-apartheid order.
Claims from below: platinum and the politics of land in the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela traditional authority area
Authors: Capps Gavin , Mnwana Sonwabile
Published: January 2016

Drawing on a detailed study of three village-level disputes in the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela traditional authority area, this article explores how intensifying land struggles on the platinum belt around Rustenburg are being mediated through conflicts over group boundaries and identities, and how this in turn is articulating a potentially new yet contradictory rural class politics. In a context where chiefly authorities are themselves becoming major shareholders in local mining operations, the burning question is whether the ‘tribe’ should be treated as the only legitimate African land-holding unit, or whether the collective ownership of mineralised land should reside in smaller socio-political groups, typically claiming decent from its original buyers. The article finds that while contested constructions of rural ‘community’ are emerging as a significant means of defending or advancing popular claims over landed resources, these corporate forms of organisation are simultaneously riven by gender, generational and other social divisions, and are prone to replicating the tribalist logics they seek to challenge. The attempt to establish private property rights through more exclusionary group definitions may therefore also act as an equally divisive force against those labelled ‘outsiders’, not least migrant mineworkers.
Coordination of sniffing and whisking depends on the mode of interaction with the environment
Authors: Fonio Ehud , Gordon Goren , Barak Noy , Winetraub Yonatan , Oram Tess Baker , Haidarliu Sebastian , Kimchi Tali , Ahissar Ehud
Published: January 2016

Smell and touch convey most of the information that nocturnal rodents collect in their natural environments, each via its own complex network of muscles, receptors and neurons. Being active senses, a critical factor determining the integration of their sensations relates to the degree of their coordination. While it has been known for nearly 50 years that sniffing and whisking can be coordinated, the dynamics of such coordination and its dependency on behavioral and environmental conditions are not yet understood. Here we introduce a novel non-invasive method to track sniffing along with whisking and locomotion using high-resolution video recordings of mice, during free exploration of an open arena. Active sensing parameters in each modality showed significant dependency on exploratory modes (“Outbound”, “Exploration” and “Inbound”) and locomotion speed. Surprisingly, the correlation between sniffing and whisking was often as high as the bilateral inter-whisker correlation. Both inter-whisker and inter-modal coordination switched between distinct high-correlation and low-correlation states. The fraction of time with high-correlation states was higher in the Outbound and Exploration modes compared with the Inbound mode. Overall, these data indicate that sniffing–whisking coordination is a complex dynamic process, likely to be controlled by multiple-level inter-modal coordinated loops of motor-sensory networks.
Myonuclear transcription is responsive to mechanical load and DNA content but uncoupled from cell size during hypertrophy
Authors: Kirby Tyler J. , Patel Rooshil M. , McClintock Timothy S. , Dupont-Versteegden Esther E. , Peterson Charlotte A. , McCarthy John J.
Published: January 2016

Myofibers increase size and DNA content in response to a hypertrophic stimulus, thus providing a physiological model with which to study how these factors affect global transcription. Using 5-ethynyl uridine (EU) to metabolically label nascent RNA, we measured a sevenfold increase in myofiber transcription during early hypertrophy before a change in cell size and DNA content. The typical increase in myofiber DNA content observed at the later stage of hypertrophy was associated with a significant decrease in the percentage of EU-positive myonuclei; however, when DNA content was held constant by preventing myonuclear accretion via satellite cell depletion, both the number of transcriptionally active myonuclei and the amount of RNA generated by each myonucleus increased. During late hypertrophy, transcription did not scale with cell size, as smaller myofibers (<1000 μm2) demonstrated the highest transcriptional activity. Finally, transcription was primarily responsible for changes in the expression of genes known to regulate myofiber size. These findings show that resident myonuclei possess a significant reserve capacity to up-regulate transcription during hypertrophy and that myofiber transcription is responsive to DNA content but uncoupled from cell size during hypertrophy.
Common formin-regulating sequences in Smy1 and Bud14 are required for the control of actin cable assembly in vivo
Authors: Eskin Julian A. , Rankova Aneliya , Johnston Adam B. , Alioto Salvatore L. , Goode Bruce L.
Published: January 2016

Formins comprise a large family of proteins with diverse roles in remodeling the actin cytoskeleton. However, the spatiotemporal mechanisms used by cells to control formin activities are only beginning to be understood. Here we dissected Smy1, which has dual roles in regulating formins and myosin. Using mutagenesis, we identified specific sequences in Smy1 critical for its in vitro inhibitory effects on the FH2 domain of the formin Bnr1. By integrating smy1 alleles targeting those sequences, we genetically uncoupled Smy1’s functions in regulating formins and myosin. Quantitative imaging analysis further demonstrated that the ability of Smy1 to directly control Bnr1 activity is crucial in vivo for proper actin cable length, shape, and velocity and, in turn, efficient secretory vesicle transport. A Smy1-like sequence motif was also identified in a different Bnr1 regulator, Bud14, and found to be essential for Bud14 functions in regulating actin cable architecture and function in vivo. Together these observations reveal unanticipated mechanistic ties between two distinct formin regulators. Further, they emphasize the importance of tightly controlling formin activities in vivo to generate specialized geometries and dynamics of actin structures tailored to their physiological roles.
A NIMA-related kinase, CNK4, regulates ciliary stability and length
Authors: Meng Dan , Pan Junmin
Published: January 2016

NIMA-related kinases (Nrks or Neks) have emerged as key regulators of ciliogenesis. In human, mutations in Nek1 and Nek8 cause cilia-related disorders. The ciliary functions of Nrks are mostly revealed by genetic studies; however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here we show that a Chlamydomonas Nrk, CNK4, regulates ciliary stability and length. CNK4 is localized to the basal body region and the flagella. The cnk4-null mutant exhibited long flagella, with formation of flagellar bulges. The flagella gradually became curled at the bulge formation site, leading to flagellar loss. Electron microscopy shows that the curled flagella involved curling and degeneration of axonemal microtubules. cnk4 mutation resulted in flagellar increases of IFT trains, as well as its accumulation at the flagellar bulges. IFT speeds were not affected, however, IFT trains frequently stalled, leading to reduced IFT frequencies. These data are consistent with a model in which CNK4 regulates microtubule dynamics and IFT to control flagellar stability and length.
LIN-41 inactivation leads to delayed centrosome elimination and abnormal chromosome behavior during female meiosis inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Matsuura Rieko , Ashikawa Tomoko , Nozaki Yuka , Kitagawa Daiju
Published: January 2016

During oogenesis, two successive meiotic cell divisions occur without functional centrosomes because of the inactivation and subsequent elimination of maternal centrosomes during the diplotene stage of meiosis I. Despite being a conserved phenomenon in most metazoans, the means by which this centrosome behavior is controlled during female meiosis remain elusive. Here, we conducted a targeted RNAi screening in the Caenorhabditis elegans gonad to identify novel regulators of centrosome behavior during oogenesis. We screened 513 genes known to be essential for embryo production and directly visualized GFP–γ-tubulin to monitor centrosome behavior at all stages of oogenesis. In the screening, we found that RNAi-mediated inactivation of 33 genes delayed the elimination of GFP–γ-tubulin at centrosomes during oogenesis, whereas inactivation of nine genes accelerated the process. Depletion of the TRIM-NHL protein LIN-41 led to a significant delay in centrosome elimination and to the separation and reactivation of centrosomes during oogenesis. Upon LIN-41 depletion, meiotic chromosomes were abnormally condensed and pulled toward one of the two spindle poles around late pachytene even though the spindle microtubules emanated from both centrosomes. Overall, our work provides new insights into the regulation of centrosome behavior to ensure critical meiotic events and the generation of intact oocytes.
The glucose metabolite methylglyoxal inhibits expression of the glucose transporter genes by inactivating the cell surface glucose sensors Rgt2 and Snf3 in yeast
Authors: Roy Adhiraj , Hashmi Salman , Li Zerui , Dement Angela D. , Hong Cho Kyu , Kim Jeong-Ho
Published: January 2016

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a cytotoxic by-product of glycolysis. MG has inhibitory effect on the growth of cells ranging from microorganisms to higher eukaryotes, but its molecular targets are largely unknown. The yeast cell-surface glucose sensors Rgt2 and Snf3 function as glucose receptors that sense extracellular glucose and generate a signal for induction of expression of genes encoding glucose transporters ( HXTs). Here we provide evidence that these glucose sensors are primary targets of MG in yeast. MG inhibits the growth of glucose-fermenting yeast cells by inducing endocytosis and degradation of the glucose sensors. However, the glucose sensors with mutations at their putative ubiquitin-acceptor lysine residues are resistant to MG-induced degradation. These results suggest that the glucose sensors are inactivated through ubiquitin-mediated endocytosis and degraded in the presence of MG. In addition, the inhibitory effect of MG on the glucose sensors is greatly enhanced in cells lacking Glo1, a key component of the MG detoxification system. Thus the stability of these glucose sensors seems to be critically regulated by intracellular MG levels. Taken together, these findings suggest that MG attenuates glycolysis by promoting degradation of the cell-surface glucose sensors and thus identify MG as a potential glycolytic inhibitor.