bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A HIDDEN ANAGRAM IN VALERIUS FLACCUS?
Authors: Houghton L.B.T.
Published: March 2017

In Virgil's third eclogue, the goatherd Menalcas responds to his challenger Damoetas by offering as his wager in their contest of song a pair of embossed cups,caelatum diuini opus Alcimedontis(Ecl.3.37), decorated with a pattern of vine and ivy. In the middle of this design, he says, are two figures. One is the astronomer Conon, and the other—at this point Menalcas, afflicted with a sudden loss of memory, professes to have forgotten the name of the second figure, and breaks off into a question (Ecl.3.40-2):quis fuit alter, | descripsit radio totum qui gentibus orbem, | tempora quae messor, quae curuus arator haberet?Various candidates for the identity of this second astronomer have been suggested, one of the most favoured being Eudoxus of Cnidus, whosePhaenomenahad been versified by the Hellenistic poet Aratus. In 1930 it was proposed by Léon Herrmann that Menalcas in fact answers his own question in his reference tocuruUS ARAToratEcl.3.42: the solution to Virgil's riddle is already written into the question, in the form of the anagram ofAratusconcealed within these two words. Strictly speaking, Hermann notes only that ‘Aratorau v. 42 évoque le nom d’Aratos’; he and later exponents of the theory tend to ignore the preceding ‘-us’—but there seems no reason to exclude it if an allusion to the Greek poet is to be seen in the two following syllables.
LIFESPAN OF RUBBER CULTIVATION CAN BE SHORTENED FOR HIGH RETURNS: A FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT ON SIMULATED CONDITIONS IN SRI LANKA
Authors: MUNASINGHE E. S. , RODRIGO V. H. L.
Published: March 2017

Rubber is usually cultivated for lifespan of 30 years based on the technical feasibility of managing tapping panels. For obtaining early financial benefits, there is a demand for shorter lifespan with intensified tapping. With no research conducted on this line, the present study was focussed to investigate the financial feasibility of shortening the lifespan of rubber trees through lifecycle analyses with three principal scenarios of intensified harvesting, i.e.IntensifiedHarvesting throughout theTotal harvestingPeriod to obtain a part or full amount of yield lost due to shortening the lifespan (IHTP),IntensifiedHarvesting only during last 6 Years (IH6Y) andIntensifiedHarvesting at last¼of harvestingPeriod (IH¼P). In IHTP, intensified tapping to achieve 10–15% of yield loss due to shortening the lifespan was found to be effective to reduce the lifespan even up to 21 years. Market price of rubber and tree stand per hectare were found to be the critical factors determining the best lifespan particularly in IHTP. The best lifespan under IH6Y and IH¼P scenarios was in the range of 19–22 years. Agronomic, environmental and social implications in shortening lifespan of rubber are discussed.
Globalisation, the Terms of Trade, and Argentina's Expansion in the Long Nineteenth Century
Authors: FRANCIS JOSEPH A.
Published: March 2017

Following Tulio Halperín Donghi's pioneering work, historians have tried to explain why Argentina experienced a dramatic export-led expansion in the first half of the nineteenth century despite a lack of price incentives. This paradox is resolved by a new estimate of Argentina's terms of trade. It suggests that they probably improved by at least 2,000 per cent from the 1780s to the first decade of the twentieth century, so there were considerable price incentives for export-led growth. Labour and capital moved into the export sector, bringing into production the country's Pampean land – a previously under-utilised resource. This suggests that Argentina's expansion in the long nineteenth century was less a result of internal factors than a response to globalisation.
One hundred years of neglect in paediatric schistosomiasis
Authors: BUSTINDUY AMAYA L. , WRIGHT STEPHEN , JOEKES ELIZABETH C. , KABATEREINE NARCIS B. , REINHARD-RUPP JUTTA , KING CHARLES H. , STOTHARD J. RUSSELL
Published: March 2017

Early in the history of schistosomiasis research, children under 5 years of age were known to be infected. Although this problem was recognized over 100 years ago, insufficient action has been taken to address this issue. Under current policy, such infected children only receive their first antiparasitic treatment (praziquantel – PZQ) upon entry into primary school as current mass drug administration programmes typically target school-aged children. For many infected children, they will wait up to 6 years before receiving their first medication and significant schistosomiasis-related morbidity may have already established. This inequity would not be accepted for other diseases. To unveil some of the reasons behind this neglect, it is paramount to understand the intricate historical relationship between schistosomiasis and British Imperial medicine, to underline its lasting influence on today's public health priorities. This review presents a perspective on the historical neglect of paediatric schistosomiasis, focusing on important gaps that persist from the early days after discovery of this parasite. Looking to end this inequity, we address several issues that need to be overcome to move forward towards the lasting success of schistosomiasis control and elimination efforts.
Understanding the link between sea ice, ice scour and Antarctic benthic biodiversity–the need for cross-station and international collaboration
Authors: Deregibus D. , Quartino M.L. , Zacher K. , Campana G.L. , Barnes D.K.A.
Published: March 2017

The western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) is a hotspot of rapid recent regional ‘climate change’. This has resulted in a 0.4°C rise in sea temperature in the last 50 years, five days of sea ice lost per decade and increased ice scouring in the shallows. The WAP shallows are ideal for studying the biological response to physical change because most known Antarctic species are benthic, physical change occurs mainly in the shallows and most research stations are coastal. Studies at Rothera Station have found increased benthic disturbance with losses of winter sea ice and assemblage-level changes coincident with this ice scouring. Such studies are difficult to scale up as they depend on SCUBA diving – a very spatially limited technique. Here we report attempts to broaden the understanding of benthic ecosystem responses to physical change by replicating the Rothera experimental grids at Carlini Station through collaboration between the UK, Argentina and Germany across Signy, Rothera and Carlini stations. We argue that such collaborations are the way forward towards understanding the big picture of biota responses to physical climate changes at a regional scale.
The discursive pathway of two centuries of raciolinguistic stereotyping: ‘Africans as incapable of speaking French’
Authors: Vigouroux Cécile B.
Published: March 2017

This article is about the discursive pathway of grammatical structures such asy'a bon‘there's good’, documenting how, in Hexagonal France, it has become an ‘enregistered emblem’ for indexing sub-Saharan Africans and, by extension, any African as allegedly incapable of speaking French competently. I argue that tracing pathways makes it possible to unveil the intricacy of the historicities of production, circulation, and interpretations of such racially based linguistic stereotypes. One of the central questions addressed in this article is: What are the sociohistorical conditions of the emergence and maintenance of these linguistic stereotypes? I show that these are grounded in long-standing linguistic ideologies of French as an exceptional language and of African languages and, therefore, their speakers, as primitive. I demonstrate how the rise of first age mass culture in the nineteenth century contributed to both the entextualization and the circulation of these stereotypical representations. (Stereotypes, mediatization, enregisterment, language ideology, France, Africa)*
Isogenies of non-CM elliptic curves with rational j-invariants over number fields
Authors: NAJMAN FILIP
Published: March 2017

We unconditionally determine $I_{\mathbb Q}(d)$, the set of possible prime degrees of cyclic K-isogenies of elliptic curves with ${\mathbb Q}$-rational j-invariants and without complex multiplication over number fields K of degree ≤ d, for d ≤ 7, and give an upper bound for $I_{\mathbb Q}(d)$ for d > 7. Assuming Serre's uniformity conjecture, we determine $I_{\mathbb Q}(d)$ exactly for all positive integers d.
A global threats overview for Numeniini populations: synthesising expert knowledge for a group of declining migratory birds
Authors: PEARCE-HIGGINS JAMES W. , BROWN DANIEL J. , DOUGLAS DAVID J. T. , ALVES JOSÉ A. , BELLIO MARIAGRAZIA , BOCHER PIERRICK , BUCHANAN GRAEME M. , CLAY ROB P. , CONKLIN JESSE , CROCKFORD NICOLA , DANN PETER , ELTS JAANUS , FRIIS CHRISTIAN , FULLER RICHARD A. , GILL JENNIFER A. , GOSBELL KEN , JOHNSON JAMES A. , MARQUEZ-FERRANDO ROCIO , MASERO JOSE A. , MELVILLE DAVID S. , MILLINGTON SPIKE , MINTON CLIVE , MUNDKUR TAEJ , NOL ERICA , PEHLAK HANNES , PIERSMA THEUNIS , ROBIN FRÉDÉRIC , ROGERS DANNY I. , RUTHRAUFF DANIEL R. , SENNER NATHAN R. , SHAH JUNID N. , SHELDON ROB D. , SOLOVIEV SERGEJ A. , TOMKOVICH PAVEL S. , VERKUIL YVONNE I.
Published: March 2017

The Numeniini is a tribe of 13 wader species (Scolopacidae, Charadriiformes) of which seven are Near Threatened or globally threatened, including two Critically Endangered. To help inform conservation management and policy responses, we present the results of an expert assessment of the threats that members of this taxonomic group face across migratory flyways. Most threats are increasing in intensity, particularly in non-breeding areas, where habitat loss resulting from residential and commercial development, aquaculture, mining, transport, disturbance, problematic invasive species, pollution and climate change were regarded as having the greatest detrimental impact. Fewer threats (mining, disturbance, problematic native species and climate change) were identified as widely affecting breeding areas. Numeniini populations face the greatest number of non-breeding threats in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, especially those associated with coastal reclamation; related threats were also identified across the Central and Atlantic Americas, and East Atlantic flyways. Threats on the breeding grounds were greatest in Central and Atlantic Americas, East Atlantic and West Asian flyways. Three priority actions were associated with monitoring and research: to monitor breeding population trends (which for species breeding in remote areas may best be achieved through surveys at key non-breeding sites), to deploy tracking technologies to identify migratory connectivity, and to monitor land-cover change across breeding and non-breeding areas. Two priority actions were focused on conservation and policy responses: to identify and effectively protect key non-breeding sites across all flyways (particularly in the East Asian- Australasian Flyway), and to implement successful conservation interventions at a sufficient scale across human-dominated landscapes for species’ recovery to be achieved. If implemented urgently, these measures in combination have the potential to alter the current population declines of many Numeniini species and provide a template for the conservation of other groups of threatened species.
Defining Snow Drought and Why It Matters
Authors: Harpold Adrian , Dettinger Michael , Rajagopal Seshadri
Published: March 2017

Swings from snow drought to extreme winter rainfall make managing reservoirs, like the Oroville Dam, incredibly difficult. But what exactly is "snow drought"?
Spatiotemporally restricted arenavirus replication induces immune surveillance and type I interferon-dependent tumour regression
Authors: Kalkavan Halime , Sharma Piyush , Kasper Stefan , Helfrich Iris , Pandyra Aleksandra A. , Gassa Asmae , Virchow Isabel , Flatz Lukas , Brandenburg Tim , Namineni Sukumar , Heikenwalder Mathias , Höchst Bastian , Knolle Percy A. , Wollmann Guido , von Laer Dorothee , Drexler Ingo , Rathbun Jessica , Cannon Paula M. , Scheu Stefanie , Bauer Jens , Chauhan Jagat , Häussinger Dieter , Willimsky Gerald , Löhning Max , Schadendorf Dirk , Brandau Sven , Schuler Martin , Lang Philipp A. , Lang Karl S.
Published: March 2017

Immune-mediated effector molecules can limit cancer growth, but lack of sustained immune activation in the tumour microenvironment restricts antitumour immunity. New therapeutic approaches that induce a strong and prolonged immune activation would represent a major immunotherapeutic advance. Here we show that the arenaviruses lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and the clinically used Junin virus vaccine (Candid#1) preferentially replicate in tumour cells in a variety of murine and human cancer models. Viral replication leads to prolonged local immune activation, rapid regression of localized and metastatic cancers, and long-term disease control. Mechanistically, LCMV induces antitumour immunity, which depends on the recruitment of interferon-producing Ly6C+monocytes and additionally enhances tumour-specific CD8+T cells. In comparison with other clinically evaluated oncolytic viruses and to PD-1 blockade, LCMV treatment shows promising antitumoural benefits. In conclusion, therapeutically administered arenavirus replicates in cancer cells and induces tumour regression by enhancing local immune responses.
Fluorene-9-bisphenol is anti-oestrogenic and may cause adverse pregnancy outcomes in mice
Authors: Zhang Zhaobin , Hu Ying , Guo Jilong , Yu Tong , Sun Libei , Xiao Xuan , Zhu Desheng , Nakanishi Tsuyoshi , Hiromori Youhei , Li Junyu , Fan Xiaolin , Wan Yi , Cheng Siyu , Li Jun , Guo Xuan , Hu Jianying
Published: March 2017

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in the production of plastic but has oestrogenic activity. Therefore, BPA substitutes, such as fluorene-9-bisphenol (BHPF), have been introduced for the production of so-called ‘BPA-free’ plastics. Here we show that BHPF is released from commercial ‘BPA-free’ plastic bottles into drinking water and has anti-oestrogenic effects in mice. We demonstrate that BHPF has anti-oestrogenic activity in vitro and, in an uterotrophic assay in mice, induces low uterine weight, atrophic endometria and causes adverse pregnancy outcomes, even at doses lower than those of BPA for which no observed adverse effect have been reported. Female mice given water containing BHPF released from plastic bottles, have detectable levels of BHPF in serum, low uterine weights and show decreased expressions of oestrogen-responsive genes. We also detect BHPF in the plasma of 7/100 individuals, who regularly drink water from plastic bottles. Our data suggest that BPA substitutes should be tested for anti-oestrogenic activity and call for further study of the toxicological effects of BHPF on human health.
Perfect X-ray focusing via fitting corrective glasses to aberrated optics
Authors: Seiboth Frank , Schropp Andreas , Scholz Maria , Wittwer Felix , Rödel Christian , Wünsche Martin , Ullsperger Tobias , Nolte Stefan , Rahomäki Jussi , Parfeniukas Karolis , Giakoumidis Stylianos , Vogt Ulrich , Wagner Ulrich , Rau Christoph , Boesenberg Ulrike , Garrevoet Jan , Falkenberg Gerald , Galtier Eric C. , Ja Lee Hae , Nagler Bob , Schroer Christian G.
Published: March 2017

Due to their short wavelength, X-rays can in principle be focused down to a few nanometres and below. At the same time, it is this short wavelength that puts stringent requirements on X-ray optics and their metrology. Both are limited by today’s technology. In this work, we present accurate at wavelength measurements of residual aberrations of a refractive X-ray lens using ptychography to manufacture a corrective phase plate. Together with the fitted phase plate the optics shows diffraction-limited performance, generating a nearly Gaussian beam profile with a Strehl ratio above 0.8. This scheme can be applied to any other focusing optics, thus solving the X-ray optical problem at synchrotron radiation sources and X-ray free-electron lasers.
A Clb/Cdk1-mediated regulation of Fkh2 synchronizes CLB expression in the budding yeast cell cycle
Authors: Linke Christian , Chasapi Anastasia , González-Novo Alberto , Al Sawad Istabrak , Tognetti Silvia , Klipp Edda , Loog Mart , Krobitsch Sylvia , Posas Francesc , Xenarios Ioannis , Barberis Matteo
Published: March 2017

Precise timing of cell division is achieved by coupling waves of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) activity with a transcriptional oscillator throughout cell cycle progression. Although details of transcription of cyclin genes are known, it is unclear which is the transcriptional cascade that modulates their expression in a timely fashion. Here, we demonstrate that a Clb/Cdk1-mediated regulation of the Fkh2 transcription factor synchronizes the temporal mitotic CLB expression in budding yeast. A simplified kinetic model of the cyclin/Cdk network predicts a linear cascade where a Clb/Cdk1-mediated regulation of an activator molecule drives CLB3 and CLB2 expression. Experimental validation highlights Fkh2 as modulator of CLB3 transcript levels, besides its role in regulating CLB2 expression. A Boolean model based on the minimal number of interactions needed to capture the information flow of the Clb/Cdk1 network supports the role of an activator molecule in the sequential activation, and oscillatory behavior, of mitotic Clb cyclins. This work illustrates how transcription and phosphorylation networks can be coupled by a Clb/Cdk1-mediated regulation that synchronizes them.
Improved prediction of PARP inhibitor response and identification of synergizing agents through use of a novel gene expression signature generation algorithm
Authors: McGrail Daniel J. , Lin Curtis Chun-Jen , Garnett Jeannine , Liu Qingxin , Mo Wei , Dai Hui , Lu Yiling , Yu Qinghua , Ju Zhenlin , Yin Jun , Vellano Christopher P. , Hennessy Bryan , Mills Gordon B. , Lin Shiaw-Yih
Published: March 2017

Despite rapid advancement in generation of large-scale microarray gene expression datasets, robust multigene expression signatures that are capable of guiding the use of specific therapies have not been routinely implemented into clinical care. We have developed an iterative resampling analysis to predict sensitivity algorithm to generate gene expression sensitivity profiles that predict patient responses to specific therapies. The resultant signatures have a robust capacity to accurately predict drug sensitivity as well as the identification of synergistic combinations. Here, we apply this approach to predict response to PARP inhibitors, and show it can greatly outperforms current clinical biomarkers, including BRCA1/2 mutation status, accurately identifying PARP inhibitor-sensitive cancer cell lines, primary patient-derived tumor cells, and patient-derived xenografts. These signatures were also capable of predicting patient response, as shown by applying a cisplatin sensitivity signature to ovarian cancer patients. We additionally demonstrate how these drug-sensitivity signatures can be applied to identify novel synergizing agents to improve drug efficacy. Tailoring therapeutic interventions to improve patient prognosis is of utmost importance, and our drug sensitivity prediction signatures may prove highly beneficial for patient management.
Influence of different geographical factors on carbon sink functions in the Pearl River Delta
Authors: Xu Qian , Dong Yuxiang , Yang Ren
Published: March 2017

This study analyzed carbon fixation across different land use types in the Pearl River Delta to identify the influence of different geographical factors on carbon fixation ability. The methodology was based on interpreting land use data from TM imagery, MODIS13Q1 data, and climate data, using the improved CASA and GeogDetector models. The results show that: (1) From 2000 to 2013, the total carbon sink increased slightly, from 15.58 × 106 t to 17.52 × 106 t, being spatially low at the center and increasing outwards; (2) Proxy variables (topography and landform characteristics), influencing urbanization, significantly affect the carbon sink function of the Pearl River Delta region. The proportion of urban and other construction land showed increasing effect on the regional carbon sink each year. However, the spatial structure of land in the study area changed from complex to simple, with enhanced stability; consequently, the influence of landscape characteristics (landscape dominance and landscape perimeter area fractal dimension) on the regional carbon sink gradually decreased; (3) The influence of the same factors differed with different land use types. Slope and altitude were found to have the greatest influence on the carbon sink of cultivated land, while landscape perimeter area fractal dimension more significantly affected the forest carbon sink.
Specialized adaptations for springtail predation in Mesozoic beetles
Authors: Yin Zi-Wei , Cai Chen-Yang , Huang Di-Ying , Li Li-Zhen
Published: March 2017

Insects exhibit a variety of morphological specializations specific to particular behaviors, and these permit the reconstruction of palaeobiological traits. Despite the critical importance of predator-prey strategies in insect evolution, the appearance of particular aspects of predation are often difficult to determine from the fossil record of hexapods. Here we report the discovery of highly specialized, mid-Cretaceous ant-like stone beetles (Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae) displaying morphological modifications unknown among living scydmaenids and associated with predation on springtails (Collembola), a widespread and abundant group of significantly greater geological age.Cascomastigus monstrabilisgen. et sp. nov. exhibits an extremely large body size, elongate clubbed maxillary palpi, toothed mandibles, and more importantly, slender and highly modified antennae that functioned as an antennal setal trap. Such an antennal modification is analogous to that of the modern ground beetle genusLoricera(Carabidae: Loricerinae), a group possessing a specialized antennal setal trap exclusively for the capture of springtails. The presence of an identical antennal setal trap inC. monstrabilisdemonstrates a unique and dramatic form of obligate predation among the late Mesozoic insects.
NKG2D modulates aggravation of liver inflammation by activating NK cells in HBV infection
Authors: Wang Yadong , Wang Wei , Shen Chuan , Wang Yong , Jiao Mingjing , Yu Weiyan , Yin Hongzhu , Shang Xiaobo , Liang Qianfei , Zhao Caiyan
Published: March 2017

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is thought to be an immune-mediated liver disease. The mechanisms underlying natural killer (NK) cell group 2D receptor (NKG2D) that activates NK cells and participates in anti-HBV immunity and immunopathology has not been thoroughly elucidated. Peripheral NKG2D+ and IFN-γ+ NK cells frequencies and intrahepatic NKG2D and IFN-γ mRNA and protein expressions were determined in HBV-infected patients. Levels of NKG2D and IFN-γ mRNA and protein in NK cells, co-cultured with HBV-replicating HepG2 cells with or without NKG2D blockade, were analyzed. Serum and supernatant IFN-γ, TNF-α, perforin and granzyme B were measured. In results, peripheral NKG2D+ and IFN-γ+ NK cells frequencies, intrahepatic NKG2D and IFN-γ mRNA and protein levels, and serum IFN-γ, TNF-α, perforin and granzyme B levels were all highest in HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure group, followed by chronic hepatitis B and chronic HBV carrier groups. In vitro, NKG2D and IFN-γ mRNA and protein levels were higher in NK cells with IFN-α stimulation than without stimulation. Supernatant IFN-γ, TNF-α, perforin and granzyme B levels were increased under co-culture or IFN-α stimulating conditions, but were partially blocked by NKG2DmAb. In conclusion, NKG2D regulates immune inflammation and anti-viral response partly through activation of NK cells during HBV infection.
Knocking down the obstacles to functional genomics data sharing
Authors: Simpson Kaylene J. , Smith Jennifer A.
Published: March 2017

This week, Scientific Data published a collection of eight papers that describe datasets from high-throughput functional genomics screens, primarily utilizing RNA interference (RNAi). The publications explore host-pathogen dependencies, innate immune response, disease pathways, and cell morphology and motility at the genome-level. All data, including raw images from the high content screens, are publically available in PubChem BioAssay, figshare, Harvard Dataverse or the Image Data Resource (IDR). Detailed data descriptors enable use of these data for analysis algorithm design, machine learning, data comparisons, as well as generating new scientific hypotheses.
Genome-wide barcoded transposon screen for cancer drug sensitivity in haploid mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Pettitt Stephen J. , Krastev Dragomir B. , Pemberton Helen N. , Fontebasso Yari , Frankum Jessica , Rehman Farah L. , Brough Rachel , Song Feifei , Bajrami Ilirjana , Rafiq Rumana , Wallberg Fredrik , Kozarewa Iwanka , Fenwick Kerry , Armisen-Garrido Javier , Swain Amanda , Gulati Aditi , Campbell James , Ashworth Alan , Lord Christopher J.
Published: March 2017

We describe a screen for cellular response to drugs that makes use of haploid embryonic stem cells. We generated ten libraries of mutants with piggyBac gene trap transposon integrations, totalling approximately 100,000 mutant clones. Random barcode sequences were inserted into the transposon vector to allow the number of cells bearing each insertion to be measured by amplifying and sequencing the barcodes. These barcodes were associated with their integration sites by inverse PCR. We exposed these libraries to commonly used cancer drugs and profiled changes in barcode abundance by Ion Torrent sequencing in order to identify mutations that conferred sensitivity. Drugs tested included conventional chemotherapeutics as well as targeted inhibitors of topoisomerases, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Hsp90 and WEE1.
Linking Drug or Phytochemical Exposure to Toxicity
Authors: Rodríguez C. A. , Teuscher N. S. , Uchizono J. A.
Published: March 2017

The general strategy to linking exposure to toxicity follows well-established pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles and practices. In addition to reviewing the basic science behind pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling, this chapter attempts to acquaint the reader with current modeling strategies by means of literature examples. Lastly, the subject of drug–drug interactions (from both a pharmacokinetic and a pharmacodynamic perspective) and some modeling approaches are also discussed.
“Leaching or not leaching”: an alternative approach to antimicrobial materials via copolymers containing crown ethers as active groups
Authors: De Rosa M. , Vigliotta G. , Soriente A. , Capaccio V. , Gorrasi G. , Adami R. , Reverchon E. , Mella M. , Izzo L.
Published: March 2017

New copolymers containing MMA and 18C6 crown-ether pendants, with or without a PEG arm, were synthesized to check if sequestering structural alkali-earth ions from the bacterial outer membrane (OM) may lead to bacterial death.
Surface heterogeneity and inhomogeneous broadening of vibrational line profiles
Authors: Taj Skandar , Baird Diane , Rosu-Finsen Alexander , McCoustra Martin R. S.
Published: March 2017

The surface heterogeneity of amorphous silica (aSiO2) has been probed using coverage dependent temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of a simple probe molecule, carbon monoxide (CO), and is used to explain the inhomogeneous broadening of the CO stretching vibration in the infrared.
Monodentate phosphine substitution in [Pd(κ3-dppf)(PR3)][BF4]2(dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) compounds
Authors: Cabrera K. D. , Rowland A. T. , Szarko J. M. , Diaconescu P. L. , Bezpalko M. W. , Kassel W. S. , Nataro C.
Published: March 2017

The synthesis and dissociative monodentate phosphine substitution of [Pd(κ3-dppf)(P(p-C6H4R)3)][BF4]2compounds is presented. DFT calculations further examines the nature of the Fe–Pd interaction of the κ3-dppf ligand.
Arsenic in residential soil and household dust in Cornwall, south west England: potential human exposure and the influence of historical mining
Authors: Middleton Daniel R. S. , Watts Michael J. , Beriro Darren J. , Hamilton Elliott M. , Leonardi Giovanni S. , Fletcher Tony , Close Rebecca M. , Polya David A.
Published: March 2017

Exposure to arsenic (As) via residential soil and dust is a global concern, in regions affected by mining or with elevated concentrations present in underlying geology.
Multi-functional scaling methodology for translational pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic applications using integrated microphysiological systems (MPS)
Authors: Maass Christian , Stokes Cynthia L. , Griffith Linda G. , Cirit Murat
Published: March 2017

Multi-functional scaling is a mechanistic framework to design integrated microphysiological systems for pharmacological applications.
Surface disordered rutile TiO2–graphene quantum dot hybrids: a new multifunctional material with superior photocatalytic and biofilm eradication properties
Authors: Biswas Anupam , Salunke Gayatri , Khandelwal Puneet , Das Raja , Poddar Pankaj
Published: March 2017

Superior photocatalytic degradation by a TG-hybrid towards methylene blue and rhodamine B with enhanced reactive oxygen species for bacterial toxicity.
Single crystal growth of Mn4Nb2O9 and its structure-magnetic coupling
Authors: Cao Yiming , Xiang Maolin , Feng Zhenjie , Kang Baojuan , Zhang Jincang , Guiblin Nicolas , Ren Wei , Dkhil Brahim , Cao Shixun
Published: March 2017

A single crystal of Mn4Nb2O9 of about 8 mm in diameter and 30 mm in length was successfully grown by a newly designed one-step method based on the optical floating zone technique.
Colorimetric detection of HVA by self-assembly of Au nanorods with DNA double helices to give side-by-side and end-to-end structures
Authors: Chang Lin , Khan Younas , Li Lidong , Yang Nan , Yin Penggang , Guo Lin
Published: March 2017

Simple, less time consuming and sensitive self-assembly and colorimetric detection of HVA.
Highly efficient one-pot three-component Betti reaction in water using reverse zinc oxide micelles as a recoverable and reusable catalyst
Authors: Mou Jie , Gao Gan , Chen Chen , Liu Jie , Gao Jian , Liu Yi , Pei Dongsheng
Published: March 2017

An efficient synthesis of Betti basesviaa one-pot three-component reaction of 2-naphthol, substituted aldehydes and anilines in aqueous media is reported.
Incorporating isosorbide as the chain extender improves mechanical properties of linear biodegradable polyurethanes as potential bone regeneration materials
Authors: Ma Yufei , Liu Juan , Luo Min , Xing Juan , Wu Jinchuan , Pan Haobo , Ruan Changshun , Luo Yanfeng
Published: March 2017

Novel linear biodegradable polyurethanes based on poly (d,l-lactic acid) as soft segments and isosorbide as chain extender were exhibited with high molecular weight and appropriate mechanical performances, promising as the scaffold materials for bone regeneration.
The discovery of pyridinium 1,2,4-triazines with enhanced performance in bioconjugation reactions
Authors: Siegl Sebastian J. , Dzijak Rastislav , Vázquez Arcadio , Pohl Radek , Vrabel Milan
Published: March 2017

A novel class of pyridinium 1,2,4-triazines with excellent properties for use in bioconjugation reactions was discovered from a systematic kinetic study.
Shear-aligned graphene oxide laminate/Pebax ultrathin composite hollow fiber membranes using a facile dip-coating approach
Authors: Zhang Yatao , Shen Qin , Hou Jingwei , Sutrisna Putu Doddy , Chen Vicki
Published: March 2017

Graphene oxide (GO) has been considered as a promising candidate for molecular separation because of its capability to form highly efficient gas flow intergalleries within an ultrathin composite membrane.
In vitro osteogenic induction of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with a decellularized matrix derived from human adipose stem cells and in vivo implantation for bone regeneration
Authors: Wei Wei , Li Jipeng , Chen Shuo , Chen Mingjiao , Xie Qing , Sun Hao , Ruan Jing , Zhou Huifang , Bi Xiaoping , Zhuang Ai , You Zhengwei , Gu Ping , Fan Xianqun
Published: March 2017

Tissue engineering technology that adopts mesenchymal stem cells combined with scaffolds presents a promising strategy for tissue regeneration.
Fabrication of cell-compatible hyaluronan hydrogels with a wide range of biophysical properties through high tyramine functionalization
Authors: Loebel Claudia , Stauber Tino , D'Este Matteo , Alini Mauro , Zenobi-Wong Marcy , Eglin David
Published: March 2017

Hyaluronan–tyramine derivatives are synthesized and the hydrogels obtained permit viable cell encapsulation with a wide range of mechanical properties.
The in situ growth of CuO nanostructures on an ITO substrate and its application as a highly sensitive electrode for the electrochemical determination of N-acetyl-l-cysteine
Authors: Mohamed Tunesi Mawada , Soomro Razium Ali , Ozturk Ramazan
Published: March 2017

This study describes the application of a new ITO-based electrode for the electrochemical sensing ofN-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC).
Packing fractal Sierpiński triangles into one-dimensional crystals via a templating method
Authors: Li Na , Gu Gaochen , Zhang Xue , Song Daoliang , Zhang Yajie , Teo Boon K. , Peng Lian-mao , Hou Shimin , Wang Yongfeng
Published: March 2017

Crystalline structures with Sierpiński triangles as building blocks were constructedviaa templating method in ultra-high vacuum and studied by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy.
Reversible photo-gated transmembrane channel assembled from an acylhydrazone-containing crown ether triad
Authors: Zhou Yan , Chen Yong , Zhu Ping-Ping , Si Wen , Hou Jun-Li , Liu Yu
Published: March 2017

Ion channel transport could be reversibly regulated by irradiation of the lipid bilayer with alternating 320/365 nm light.
Neutral and cationic bismuth compounds supported by bis(amidodimethyl)disiloxane ligands
Authors: Schwamm R. J. , Coles M. P. , Fitchett C. M.
Published: March 2017

Bis(amidodimethyl)disiloxane ligands derived from O{SiMe2N(H)R}2(abbreviated as (NONR)H2) are a stable support for neutral and cationic bismuth compounds.
Interfacial photochemistry of biogenic surfactants: a major source of abiotic volatile organic compounds
Authors: Brüggemann Martin , Hayeck Nathalie , Bonnineau Chloé , Pesce Stéphane , Alpert Peter A. , Perrier Sébastien , Zuth Christoph , Hoffmann Thorsten , Chen Jianmin , George Christian
Published: March 2017

Films of biogenic compounds exposed to the atmosphere are ubiquitously found on the surfaces of cloud droplets, aerosol particles, buildings, plants, soils and the ocean. These air/water interfaces host countless amphiphilic compounds concentrated there with respect to in bulk water, leading to a unique chemical environment. Here, photochemical processes at the air/water interface of biofilm-containing solutions were studied, demonstrating abiotic VOC production from authentic biogenic surfactants under ambient conditions. Using a combination of online-APCI-HRMS and PTR-ToF-MS, unsaturated and functionalized VOCs were identified and quantified, giving emission fluxes comparable to previous field and laboratory observations. Interestingly, VOC fluxes increased with the decay of microbial cells in the samples, indicating that cell lysis due to cell death was the main source for surfactants and VOC production. In particular, irradiation of samples containing solely biofilm cells without matrix components exhibited the strongest VOC production upon irradiation. In agreement with previous studies, LC-MS measurements of the liquid phase suggested the presence of fatty acids and known photosensitizers, possibly inducing the observed VOC productionviaperoxy radical chemistry. Up to now, such VOC emissions were directly accounted to high biological activity in surface waters. However, the results obtained suggest that abiotic photochemistry can lead to similar emissions into the atmosphere, especially in less biologically-active regions. Furthermore, chamber experiments suggest that oxidation (O3/OH radicals) of the photochemically-produced VOCs leads to aerosol formation and growth, possibly affecting atmospheric chemistry and climate-related processes, such as cloud formation or the Earth’s radiation budget.
Poly(β-thioesters) containing monodisperse oxamide hard segments using a chemoselective thiol-Michael addition reaction
Authors: Moon Nicholas G. , Mondschein Ryan J. , Long Timothy E.
Published: March 2017

A chemoselective thiol-Michael addition reaction allows access to oxamide-containing segmented copolymers using a one-pot, one-step procedure.
The reactivity of Ti10Zr alloy in biological and electrochemical systems in the presence of chitosan
Authors: Vasilescu Vlad Gabriel , Sandu Ion , Nemtoi Gheorghe , Sandu Andrei Victor , Popescu Vasilica , Vasilache Viorica , Sandu Ioan Gabriel , Vasilescu Elisabeta
Published: March 2017

This study presents the electrochemical behavior of Ti10Zr in presence of chitosan obtaining an oxide and nanostructural oxy-hydroxy film with a passivating activity.
Correction: DBU-catalyzed biobased poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) polyester with rapid melt crystallization: synthesis, crystallization kinetics and melting behavior
Authors: Wu Jiaping , Xie Hongzhou , Wu Linbo , Li Bo-Geng , Dubois Philippe
Published: March 2017

Correction for ‘DBU-catalyzed biobased poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) polyester with rapid melt crystallization: synthesis, crystallization kinetics and melting behavior’ by Jiaping Wu et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 101578–101586.
Transparent wood containing CsxWO3nanoparticles for heat-shielding window applications
Authors: Yu Ziya , Yao Yongji , Yao Jianing , Zhang Liangmiao , Chen Zhang , Gao Yanfeng , Luo Hongjie
Published: March 2017

A type of functionalized nanoparticles filled transparent wood composite for heat-shielding-window applications.
Highly dispersed metal and oxide nanoparticles on ultra-polar carbon as efficient cathode materials for Li–O2batteries
Authors: Lu Xueyi , Hao Guang-Ping , Sun Xiaolei , Kaskel Stefan , Schmidt Oliver G.
Published: March 2017

Highly dispersed Pd and RuO2nanoparticles on ultra-polar porous carbon serve as efficient cathode materials for Li–O2batteries.
Adhesive organic network films with a holey microstructure: useful platforms for the engineering of flexible energy devices
Authors: Kang Chang Wan , Choi Jaewon , Ko Ju Hong , Kim Sung-Kon , Ko Yoon-Joo , Lee Sang Moon , Kim Hae Jin , Kim Jong Pil , Son Seung Uk
Published: March 2017

Adhesive organic network films with regular holes were prepared and applied for the engineering of flexible current collectors.
Injectable tissue adhesive composite hydrogel with fibroblasts for treating skin defects
Authors: Zhu Feiyan , Wang Chen , Yang Saina , Wang Qian , Liang Fuxin , Liu Chenyang , Qiu Dong , Qu Xiaozhong , Hu Zhongbo , Yang Zhenzhong
Published: March 2017

Physical interactions between glycol chitosan (GC) and silica nano-particles (SiNP) formed a hydrogel, with the features of injectability, skin adhesion and fibroblast encapsulation, which was used as a wound dressing to favor microvessel and hair follicle growth in skin defects.
Density of photoinduced free carriers in perovskite thin films via purely optical detection
Authors: Li Yu , Wang Wei , Wang Xiangyuan , Wang Shufeng , Shi Yantao , Gong Qihuang
Published: March 2017

Real free carrier densities of organolead perovskites and their behaviors under working condition were retrieved regardless of ionic interference.
Electron compensation in p-type 3DOM NiO by Sn doping for enhanced formaldehyde sensing performance
Authors: Wang Zhihua , Zhou Heng , Han Dongmei , Gu Fubo
Published: March 2017

On the basis of the electronic compensation mechanism, Sn-doped 3DOM NiO nanomaterials with excellent sensing performance towards HCHO were synthesized.
Dynamic regulation of extracellular ATP inEscherichia coli
Authors: Alvarez Cora Lilia , Corradi Gerardo , Lauri Natalia , Marginedas-Freixa Irene , Leal Denis María Florencia , Enrique Nicolás , Mate Sabina María , Milesi Verónica , Ostuni Mariano Anibal , Herlax Vanesa , Schwarzbaum Pablo Julio
Published: March 2017

We studied the kinetics of extracellular ATP (ATPe) in Escherichia coli and their outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) stimulated with amphipatic peptides melittin (MEL) and mastoparan 7 (MST7). Real-time luminometry was used to measure ATPe kinetics, ATP release, and ATPase activity. The latter was also determined by following [32P]Pi released from [γ-32P]ATP. E. coli was studied alone, co-incubated with Caco-2 cells, or in rat jejunum segments. In E. coli, the addition of [γ-32P]ATP led to the uptake and subsequent hydrolysis of ATPe. Exposure to peptides caused an acute 3-fold (MST7) and 7-fold (MEL) increase in [ATPe]. In OMVs, ATPase activity increased linearly with [ATPe] (0.1–1 µM). Exposure to MST7 and MEL enhanced ATP release by 3–7 fold, with similar kinetics to that of bacteria. In Caco-2 cells, the addition of ATP to the apical domain led to a steep [ATPe] increase to a maximum, with subsequent ATPase activity. The addition of bacterial suspensions led to a 6–7 fold increase in [ATPe], followed by an acute decrease. In perfused jejunum segments, exposure to E. coli increased luminal ATP 2 fold. ATPe regulation of E. coli depends on the balance between ATPase activity and ATP release. This balance can be altered by OMVs, which display their own capacity to regulate ATPe. E. coli can activate ATP release from Caco-2 cells and intestinal segments, a response which in vivo might lead to intestinal release of ATP from the gut lumen.
Express incorporation of membrane proteins from various human cell types into phospholipid bilayer nanodiscs
Authors: Mak Stefanie , Sun Ruoyu , Schmalenberg Michael , Peters Carsten , Luppa Peter B.
Published: March 2017

Analysis of membrane proteins is still inadequately represented in diagnostics despite their importance as drug targets and biomarkers. One main reason is the difficult handling caused by their insolubility in aqueous buffer solutions. The nanodisc technology was developed to circumvent this challenge and enables analysis of membrane proteins with standard research methods. However, existing nanodisc generation protocols rely on time-consuming membrane isolation and protein purification from overexpression systems. In the present study, we present a novel, simplified procedure for the rapid generation of nanodiscs directly from intact cells. Workflow and duration of the nanodisc preparation were shortened without reducing the reconstitution efficiency, and all the steps were modified for the use of only standard laboratory equipment. This protocol was successfully applied to various human cell types, such as cultivated human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells, as well as freshly isolated human red blood cells and platelets. In addition, the reconstitution of membrane proteins from cell organelles was achieved. The use of endogenous lipids ensures a native-like environment, which promotes native protein (re)folding. Nanodisc generation was verified by size exclusion chromatography and EM, whereas incorporation of different membrane proteins was demonstrated by Western blot analysis. Our protocol enabled the rapid incorporation of endogenous membrane proteins from human cells into nanodiscs, which can be applied to analytical approaches.
The Effect of Information and Severity on Perception of Speakers With Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia
Authors: Eadie Tanya L. , Rajabzadeh Reyhaneh , Isetti Derek D. , Nevdahl Martin T. , Baylor Carolyn R.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of severity of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) and information about it on unfamiliar listeners' attitudes about speakers' personal characteristics, perceived vocal effort, and listener comfort on the basis of ratings of speech recordings.

Method

Fifteen women with ADSD and 5 controls provided speech samples. Forty-five unfamiliar listeners were randomized into 3 groups. Listeners in Group 1 received no information, listeners in Group 2 were told that some speakers had voice disorders or had no voice concerns, and listeners in Group 3 were provided diagnostic labels for each speaker and information about ADSD. Listeners then rated speech samples for attitudes, perceived vocal effort, and listener comfort.

Results

Speakers with ADSD were judged significantly worse than controls for attitudes related to “social desirability” and “intellect.” There was no effect of severity on “personality” attributes. However, provision of a diagnostic label resulted in significantly more favorable personality ratings than when no label was provided. Perceived vocal effort and comfort became significantly more negative as ADSD severity increased. Finally, most listener ratings were unaffected by provision of additional information about ADSD.

Conclusions

Listeners' perceptions about speakers with ADSD are difficult to change. Directions for counseling and public education need future study.
Sparsity‐incorporated secure localisation for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Zhang Q. , Wan J.W , Wang D.D , Chen J.Y , Wang D.H
Published: March 2017

To enable efficient and accurate secure localisation in wireless sensor networks, a sparsity‐incorporated localisation algorithm is proposed. Unlike most of the existing schemes, the localisation problem is solved in an L1 minimisation framework which is based on the attack sparsity and the linearisation of a distance measurement model including the bogus data from malicious anchors. The localisation errors, speed and detection rates of the scheme are analysed in the simulations. Results demonstrate that the method can simultaneously achieve target localisation and malicious anchor identification in an efficient and accurate way.
Adaptive cooperative formation‐containment control for networked Euler–Lagrange systems without using relative velocity information
Authors: Chen Liang‐Ming , Li Chuan‐Jiang , Mei Jie , Ma Guang‐Fu
Published: March 2017

This study is concerned with the problem of cooperative formation‐containment control (CFCC) for networked Euler–Lagrange systems under a directed graph. Compared with the distributed containment control problem, CFCC problem is a new problem in the community of multi‐agent systems as the control for leaders' formation is further considered. By introducing the desired relative distance between agents into the auxiliary variables, the formation control algorithms are designed firstly for multiple leaders to reach a constant configuration. Then, the distributed containment control algorithms are designed for the followers such that all followers asymptotically converge to the convex hull spanned by the leaders. In the proposed algorithms, the relative velocity information is not required for the agents' controller design. Moreover, to reduce the dependence on system global information, the control gains in the algorithms are changing adaptively using only local information. Finally, simulation results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained theoretical results.
Autonomous Intersection Management systems: criteria, implementation and evaluation
Authors: Qian Xiangjun , Altché Florent , Grégoire Jean , de La Fortelle Arnaud
Published: March 2017

The foreseeable large‐scale deployment of autonomous vehicles in the near future raises the question of autonomous intersection management (AIM). Numerous AIM designs have been proposed, but they lack a common vision of what defines a good system. In this study, the authors discuss a set of conflicting evaluation criteria that need to be balanced in the design of an AIM system, but are often considered individually in the literature. They then introduce their own priority‐based design, where an intersection controller assigns priorities to incoming vehicles. On being assigned a priority, vehicles then cross the intersection while maintaining a so‐called brake‐safe state with respect to higher priority vehicles, rendering the system robust. They have performed extensive simulations to showcase the properties of the proposed system, and notably that it satisfactorily balances their criteria while remaining efficient.