bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To Be or Not to Be (Stressed): The Critical Role of a Psychologically Healthy Workplace in Effective Stress Management
Authors: Grawitch Matthew J. , Ballard David W. , Erb Kaitlyn R.
Published: October 2015

This article explains how key practices pertaining to the psychologically healthy workplace can be used to develop a comprehensive approach to stress management in contemporary organizations. Specifically, we demonstrate the ways in which employee involvement, recognition, work–life balance, health and safety, and growth and development practices can be used to assist in the reduction of work stress and the proactive management of strain. Although many organizations strive to establish a positive environment conducive to work and well‐being, identifying where to begin can often seem like a daunting task. Currently, many stress management efforts emphasize individual‐level interventions that are simply implemented alongside existing organizational practices. We propose that a broader perspective allows for a better understanding of the stress process, resulting in the ability to consider a wider range of changes to organizational processes. Combining knowledge regarding psychologically healthy workplace practices, stress management intervention levels and the personal resource allocation framework, we present a comprehensive framework for approaching workplace stress management, which can be tailored to the unique needs of various organizations, departments and employees. By adopting this broader perspective, we believe organizations can more strategically address employee stress, resulting in more effective stress management and a profound impact on stress‐related outcomes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CD150− Side Population Defines Leukemia Stem Cells in a BALB/c Mouse Model of CML and Is Depleted by Genetic Loss of SIRT1
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Chen Ching-Cheng , Chen WenYong
Published: October 2015

Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are refractory to tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, persist in the residual disease, and are important source for disease recurrence. Better understanding CML LSCs will help devise new strategies to eradicate these cells. The BALB/c mouse model of CML using retroviral bone marrow transduction and transplantation is a widely used mouse model system for CML, but LSCs in this model are poorly characterized. Here, we show that lineage negative CD150− side population (CD150−SP), but not CD150+SP, are CML LSCs in this model, although both CD150−SP and CD150+SP cells are enriched for long-term hematopoietic stem cells in normal BALB/c mice. We previously showed that BCR-ABL transformation activates protein lysine deacetylase SIRT1 and inhibition of SIRT1 sensitizes CML stem/progenitor cells to tyrosine kinase inhibitors by acetylating and activating p53. In this study, we demonstrate that SIRT1 homozygous knockout substantially reduces CD150−SP CML LSCs, and compromises the maintenance of CML LSCs in the BALB/c model. We identified several molecular alterations in CD150−SP LSCs that included the elevated expression of cyclin-dependent kinase Cdk6 facilitating LSC activation and significantly reduced p53 expression. SIRT1 knockout suppressed Cdk6 expression and likely increases p53 protein functions through deacetylation without increasing its expression. Our results shed novel insight into CML LSCs and support a crucial role of SIRT1 in CML LSCs. Our study also provides a novel means for assessing new agents to eradicate CML LSCs. Stem Cells  2015;33:3437–3451
Risk of Complications with Energy‐Based Surgical Devices in Thyroid Surgery: A National Multicenter Register Study
Authors: Carlander Johan , Wagner Philippe , Gimm Oliver , Nordenström Erik , Jansson Svante , Bergkvist Leif , Johansson Kenth
Published: October 2015

Background

Energy‐based surgical devices (EBD) combining cutting and coagulation are increasingly used in thyroid surgery. However, there is a lack of information about potential benefits and risk of complications outside controlled trials. The aims of this national multicenter register study were to describe the use of EDB, their potential effect on complication rates, and on operation time.

Materials and methods

The Scandinavian Quality Register for Thyroid and Parathyroid surgery includes 35 surgical units in Sweden and covered 88 % of the thyroid procedures performed during 2008–2009. The use of the EBD was specifically registered for 12 months, and 1297 patients were included. Surgically related complications and operation time were evaluated. The clamp‐and‐tie group (C‐A‐T) constituted the control group for comparison with procedures where EBD was used.

Results

The thyroid procedures performed included C‐A‐T (16.6 %), bipolar electrosurgery (ES: 56.5 %), electronic vessel sealing (EVS: 12.2 %), and ultrasonic dissection (UD: 14.5 %). Mean operative time was longer with EVS (p < 0.001) and shorter with UD (p < 0.05) than in the other groups. The bipolar ES group and the EVS group had higher incidence of calcium treatment at discharge and after 6 weeks than the UD group. No significant difference in nerve injury was found between the groups. There was a significant more frequent use of topical hemostatic agents in the EBD group compared to C‐A‐T.

Conclusion

In this national multicenter study, the use of UD shortened and EVS increased operating time. There was a higher risk of calcium treatment at discharge and after 6 weeks after use of EVS and bipolar ES than after UD use. There was a significant more frequent use of topical hemostatic agents in the EBD groups compared to C‐A‐T.
Efficacy of Staged Treatment Strategy for Patients with Synchronous Double Cancers of the Esophagus and Head and Neck: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Matsumoto Akira , Watanabe Masayuki , Shigaki Hironobu , Nishida Koujiro , Mine Shinji , Sano Takeshi , Yanaga Katsuhiko
Published: October 2015

Objective

To determine whether a staged treatment strategy is acceptable for patients with synchronous double cancers.

Background

Synchronous occurrence of esophageal and head and neck (H&N) cancers is frequently observed.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 109 patients with synchronous double cancers of the esophagus and H&N treated between 2005 and 2011. Fifty‐one patients underwent synchronous treatment and 58 underwent staged treatment. We measured the delay in treatment for the second cancer in the staged treatment group and evaluated how many patients experienced progression of the second cancer during the first cancer treatment. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed in 100 patients who underwent potentially curative treatment.

Results

Synchronous treatment strategy was frequently selected for patients with both advanced cancers (77 %) compared with those who had early cancers in either or both organs (43 %) (P = 0.02). The median delay in the treatment for the second cancer was 80 days; 77.5 days in the H&N‐first group and 96 days in the esophagus‐first group. Only one patient experienced stage progression during the waiting period. There was no significant difference in OS between the synchronous treatment group and the staged treatment group (P = 0.73), and no significant difference in OS among patients who had advanced cancer in the H&N, esophagus, or both.

Conclusions

Prognosis of patients with synchronous cancers depends on that of the more advanced cancer, and waiting for treatment of early cancers may not influence survival. The staged treatment strategy is acceptable when either of the double cancers is at an early stage.
Facial reconstruction with a unique osteomyocutaneous DCIA perforator flap variant: a case report
Authors: Wechselberger G. , Schwaiger K. , Hachleitner J. , Oberascher G. , Ensat F. , Larcher L.
Published: October 2015

Background

Anatomical variance of the deep circumflex iliac artery is of high clinical value in facial reconstruction using a deep circumflex iliac artery perforator (DCIAP) flap.

Methods

We present the case of a 76-year-old woman treated with an osteomyocutaneous DCIAP flap variant for facial reconstruction. We also review here the literature on DCIA perforator flaps and the different anatomical variances, which might bring clinical benefits.

Results

The observed anatomy in our patient offered the possibility to raise a free flap variant with high mobility of a large skin paddle and a long vascular pedicle combined with a variable osteomuscular portion.

Conclusion

The characteristics of the flap thus raised help overcome the disadvantages of the conventional DCIAP flap and offer excellent options for facial reconstruction.
Immigration Enforcement, Parent–Child Separations, and Intent to Remigrate by Central American Deportees
Authors: Amuedo-Dorantes Catalina , Pozo Susan , Puttitanun Thitima
Published: October 2015

Given the unprecedented increase in the flow of migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to the United States, this article analyzes the impact of U.S. interior enforcement on parent–child separations among Central American deportees, along with its implications for deportees’ intentions to remigrate to the United States. Using the EMIF sur survey data, we find that interior enforcement raises the likelihood of parent–child separations as well as the likelihood that parents forcedly separated from their young children report the intention to return to the United States, presumably without documents. By increasing parent–child separations, interior enforcement could prove counterproductive in deterring repetitive unauthorized crossings among Central American deportees.
LOCALISATION OF LINEAR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS IN THE UNIT DISC BY A CONFORMAL MAP
Authors: HUUSKO JUHA-MATTI
Published: October 2015

We obtain lower bounds for the growth of solutions of higher order linear differential equations, with coefficients analytic in the unit disc of the complex plane, by localising the equations via conformal maps and applying known results for the unit disc. As an example, we study equations in which the coefficients have a certain explicit exponential growth at one point on the boundary of the unit disc and consider the iterated $M$-order of solutions.
Influence of non-nutrient environmental factors on Ulva pertusa's inhibitory effects on Heterosigma akashiwo growth
Authors: Jin Qiu , Wu Han-Gui , Zhang Xin-Xin , Ke Zhong-Lu
Published: October 2015

We studied the effects of four non-nutrient environmental factors (temperature, salinity, irradiance and pH) on the growth inhibition of the macroalgae Ulva pertusa (Chlorophyta) upon the microalgae Heterosigma akashiwo (Rhaphidophyta). Experiments were conducted in single-factor incubation and various two-factor combination experiments in which temperature (10, 15, 25 and 30°C), salinity (10, 20, 30 and 40 g kg−1 water), irradiance (20, 100, 200 and 400 μmol m−2 s−1), and pH (5.5, 7, 8.5 and 10) were varied systematically. The growth rates of U. pertusa and H. akashiwo and the rate of microalgal growth inhibition were altered significantly by changing some of the non-nutrient factors in both the single-factor and the two-factor experiments. The optimal growth conditions for U. pertusa were 20–25°C, salinity of 30 g kg−1, irradiance level of 200–400 μmol m−2 s−1, and pH 8.5–10; optimal conditions for H. akashiwo growth were 25°C, 30 g kg−1, 100 μmol m−2 s−1 and pH 8.5, respectively. The growth inhibitory influence of U. pertusa on H. akashiwo was strongest at 25°C with low salinity (10 g kg−1), high irradiance (400 μmol m−2 s−1) and high alkalinity (pH = 10). The results of this study may be helpful in the development of methods for using green macroalgae to control the proliferation of microalgae in harmful algal blooms (HABs). In particular, these findings provide guidance regarding optimum levels of non-nutrient environmental factors in confined areas, such as aquaculture factories.
Non-evidential believing and permissivism about evidence: a reply to Dan-Johan Eklund
Authors: COCKAYNE JOSHUA , EFIRD DAVID , MOLTO DANIEL , TAMBURRO RICHARD , WARMAN JACK
Published: October 2015

In response to John Bishop's (2007) account of passionally caused believing, Dan-Johan Eklund (2014) argues that conscious non-evidential believing is (conceptually) impossible, that is, it's (conceptually) impossible consciously to believe thatpwhilst acknowledging that the relevant evidence doesn't supportp's being true, for it conflicts with belief being a truth-oriented attitude, or so he argues. In this article, we present Eklund's case against Bishop's account of passionally caused believing, and we argue that it's unpersuasive, at least to those who accept permissivism about evidence, that is, that it's possible for there to be more than one rational response to a given body of evidence. We do this through a novel application of a case of nurtured belief, that is, of a person holding a belief simply because she was caused to do so by her upbringing, and we use it to show exactly where Eklund's argument goes wrong. We conclude by drawing a general lesson drawn from this debate: if permissivism about evidence is true, then belief being truth-oriented is consistent with non-evidential believing being possible.
Editorial
Authors: McFarland Ian A.
Published: October 2015

As Iain Torrance noted in the previous issue of this journal, editorials have quite deliberately not been a feature of the Scottish Journal of Theology. But in light of his and Bryan Spinks's retirement from their longstanding place at the top of the masthead, I think it appropriate not only to acknowledge – with more gratitude than I can express – Iain's generous and gracious welcoming of me into the role of editor, but also to say something about how I envision the journal going forward.
Public discourse and community formation in a trilingual Matsigenka-Quechua-Spanish frontier community of Southern Peru
Authors: Emlen Nicholas Q.
Published: October 2015

Until recently, the members of a community on the Andean-Amazonian agricultural frontier of Southern Peru have tended to limit their social ties to members of their own families. But the residents have begun to forge a ‘community’ through a semiotic distinction between private and public spaces, social practices, and domains of morality. Particular discursive phenomena in theasamblea‘community meeting’ are deployed to create and maintain the community as a domain of action distinct from kin commitments, and participation in theasambleaoffers a context in which to assume a novel political and moral subjectivity. Thus, the social organizational construct of the community is emergent in public interactions. The article concludes with a comparative analysis of public discourse in anothercomunidad nativa‘indigenous community’ that has not embraced the notion of ‘community’, and demonstrates how code-switching allows leaders there to invoke both the private and public modes of social authority. (Amazonia, Andes, Matsigenka, Spanish, Quechua)*
Compliments and accounts: Positive evaluation of reported behavior in psychotherapy for adolescents
Authors: Jager Margot , De Winter Andrea F. , Metselaar Janneke , Knorth Erik J. , Reijneveld Sijmen A. , Huiskes Mike
Published: October 2015

Based on conversation analysis (CA) of video-recorded therapy sessions, the article explicates a particular interactional project of positively evaluating client-reported behavior in psychotherapy. The analysis focuses on the therapist's actions that convey a positive evaluation of client-reported behavior that represents therapeutic progress. First, the data analysis revealed three components that constitute the evaluation project: discourse marker, compliment, and account. Second, the article shows that participants orient towards the observed evaluation project, both as a unified whole and as a combination of discrete and separate interactional turns. The article suggests that this evaluation project functions as a tool for achieving the institutional goal of reinforcing therapeutically desired behaviors. The empirical findings are discussed in relation to the Stocks of Interactional Knowledge, described in handbooks on dialectical behavior therapy (the specific setting in which the data were collected). (Professional-client interaction, adolescent, psychotherapy, evaluation, complimenting, conversation analysis)*
The Miesian courtyard house
Authors: Colombo Luciana Fornari
Published: October 2015

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's idea of a modern courtyard house is explored in this article considering three aspects: context stimuli, development, and practical applications. In this manner, this article provides significant contributions to the understanding of Mies's courtyard house idea. In fact, so far the stimuli and motivations behind his studies on this house type have been insufficiently explored. This obscurity has facilitated hypotheses such as that some of the courtyard house projects that Mies attributed to himself were not designed by him, but by his students and assistants. This article offers an alternative view of this issue that supports the architect's original claims by clarifying his teaching approach, creative process, and historical context. This article also clarifies the development of Mies's courtyard house idea through several projects that he designed on this theme, including the Courtyard House with Round Skylight (1934), which has been little explored in previous literature. Ultimately, this article examines the practical applications of Mies's courtyard house idea, both as a motif of student exercise and as an architectural solution for low dwellings, showing that this idea has maintained its relevance throughout the decades.
Expanding surfaces
Authors: Carbone Claudia
Published: October 2015

The experience of the exhibition On the Surface – a retrospective of the work of Metis, the Edinburgh-based atelier of Mark Dorrian and Adrian Hawker, presented in the exhibition space of The Aarhus School of Architecture – is choreographed as a walk over superimposed fragments of architectural representations. This action of walking, of following the drawing on the ground, enables the erasure of the specific time/place chronotopes of the seven exhibited projects, allowing new itineraries to be drawn through the crossing of this complex context.
Data for All: Using Satellite Observations for Social Good
Authors: Hossain Faisal
Published: October 2015

The satellite and science communities must engage with stakeholders to identify priorities and capabilities, enabling the most beneficial use of abundant satellite sensing data.
RAC3 more than a nuclear receptor coactivator: a key inhibitor of senescence that is downregulated in aging
Authors: Fernández Larrosa P N , Ruíz Grecco M , Mengual Gómez D , Alvarado C V , Panelo L C , Rubio M F , Alonso D F , Gómez D E , Costas M A
Published: October 2015

Receptor-associated coactivator 3 (RAC3) is a nuclear receptor coactivator usually overexpressed in tumors that exerts oncogenic functions in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Although as part of its oncogenic actions it was previously identified as an inhibitor of apoptosis and autophagy, its expression is required in order to preserve the pluripotency and embryonic stem cell self-renewal. In this work we investigated its role in cellular senescence. We found that RAC3 overexpression in the nontumoral HEK293 cells inhibits the premature senescence induced by hydrogen peroxide or rapamycin. The mechanism involves not only the inhibition of autophagy early induced by these stimuli in the pathway to senescence, but also the increase in levels and nuclear localization of both the cell cycle suppressors p53/p21 and the longevity promoters FOXO1A, FOXO3A and SIRT1. Furthermore, we found that RAC3 overexpression is required in order to maintain the telomerase activity. In tumoral HeLa cells its activity was inhibited by depletion of RAC3 inducing replicative senescence. Moreover, we demonstrated that in vivo, levels of RAC3 are downregulated in the liver from aged as compared with young rats, whereas the levels of p21 are increased, correlating with the expected senescent cell contents in aged tissues. A similar downregulation of RAC3 was observed in the premature and replicative senescence of human fetal WI-38 cells and premature senescence of hepatocyte HepG2 cell line. Taken together, all these results demonstrate that RAC3 is an inhibitor of senescence whose downregulation in aged individuals could be probably a tumor suppressor mechanism, avoiding the clonal expansion of risky old cells having damaged DNA.
EphB3 receptors function as dependence receptors to mediate oligodendrocyte cell death following contusive spinal cord injury
Authors: Tsenkina Y , Ricard J , Runko E , Quiala- Acosta M M , Mier J , Liebl D J
Published: October 2015

We demonstrate that EphB3 receptors mediate oligodendrocyte (OL) cell death in the injured spinal cord through dependence receptor mechanism. OLs in the adult spinal cord express EphB3 as well as other members of the Eph receptor family. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with tissue damage, cellular loss and disturbances in EphB3-ephrinB3 protein balance acutely (days) after the initial impact creating an environment for a dependence receptor-mediated cell death to occur. Genetic ablation of EphB3 promotes OL survival associated with increased expression of myelin basic protein and improved locomotor function in mice after SCI. Moreover, administration of its ephrinB3 ligand to the spinal cord after injury also promotes OL survival. Our in vivo findings are supported by in vitro studies showing that ephrinB3 administration promotes the survival of both oligodendroglial progenitor cells and mature OLs cultured under pro-apoptotic conditions. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates a novel dependence receptor role of EphB3 in OL cell death after SCI, and supports further development of ephrinB3-based therapies to promote recovery.
p53 regulates the mevalonate pathway in human glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Laezza C , D'Alessandro A , Di Croce L , Picardi P , Ciaglia E , Pisanti S , Malfitano A M , Comegna M , Faraonio R , Gazzerro P , Bifulco M
Published: October 2015

The mevalonate (MVA) pathway is an important metabolic pathway implicated in multiple aspects of tumorigenesis. In this study, we provided evidence that p53 induces the expression of a group of enzymes of the MVA pathway including 3′-hydroxy-3′-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, MVA kinase, farnesyl diphosphate synthase and farnesyl diphosphate farnesyl transferase 1, in the human glioblastoma multiforme cell line, U343 cells, and in normal human astrocytes, NHAs. Genetic and pharmacologic perturbation of p53 directly influences the expression of these genes. Furthermore, p53 is recruited to the gene promoters in designated p53-responsive elements, thereby increasing their transcription. Such effect was abolished by site-directed mutagenesis in the p53-responsive element of promoter of the genes. These findings highlight another aspect of p53 functions unrelated to tumor suppression and suggest p53 as a novel regulator of the MVA pathway providing insight into the role of this pathway in cancer progression.
Crystalline CO2-based polycarbonates prepared from racemic catalyst through intramolecularly interlocked assembly
Authors: Liu Ye , Ren Wei-Min , Zhang Wei-Ping , Zhao Rong-Rong , Lu Xiao-Bing
Published: October 2015

The crystalline stereocomplexed polycarbonates can be prepared by mixing enantiopure polymers with opposite configuration, which derived from the asymmetric copolymerization with CO2 using enantiopure catalyst or/and chiral epoxides. Herein, we develop a powerful strategy for producing crystalline intramolecular stereocomplexed polycarbonates from racemic catalysts, which possess similar thermal stability and crystalline behaviour in comparison with the stereocomplexes by mixing opposite enantiopure polymers. Living polymer chains shuttle between catalyst molecules with different configurations to produce diastereomeric active species which is suggested to be responsible for the formation of isotactic multiblock polycarbonates in racemic bimetallic cobalt catalyst-mediated stereoselective copolymerization of CO2 and meso-epoxides. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy study suggests that the interaction in the carbonyl and methine regions is responsible for the strong crystallization capacity and compact package structure in the crystalline polycarbonates.
Aberrantly expressed miR-582-3p maintains lung cancer stem cell-like traits by activating Wnt/β-catenin signalling
Authors: Fang Lishan , Cai Junchao , Chen Baixue , Wu Shanshan , Li Rong , Xu Xiaonan , Yang Yi , Guan Hongyu , Zhu Xun , Zhang Le , Yuan Jie , Wu Jueheng , Li Mengfeng
Published: October 2015

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are involved in tumorigenesis, tumour recurrence and therapy resistance and Wnt signalling is essential for the development of the biological traits of CSCs. In non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), unlike in colon cancer, mutations in β-catenin and APC genes are uncommon; thus, the mechanism underlying the constitutive activation of Wnt signalling in NSCLC remains unclear. Here we report that miR-582-3p expression correlates with the overall- and recurrence-free-survival of NSCLC patients, and miR-582-3p has an activating effect on Wnt/β-catenin signalling. miR-582-3p overexpression simultaneously targets multiple negative regulators of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, namely, AXIN2, DKK3 and SFRP1. Consequently, miR-582-3p promotes CSC traits of NSCLC cells in vitro and tumorigenesis and tumour recurrence in vivo. Antagonizing miR-582-3p potently inhibits tumour initiation and progression in xenografted animal models. These findings suggest that miR-582-3p mediates the constitutive activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, likely serving as a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC.
Stacking sequence determines Raman intensities of observed interlayer shear modes in 2D layered materials – A general bond polarizability model
Authors: Luo Xin , Lu Xin , Cong Chunxiao , Yu Ting , Xiong Qihua , Ying Quek Su
Published: October 2015

2D layered materials have recently attracted tremendous interest due to their fascinating properties and potential applications. The interlayer interactions are much weaker than the intralayer bonds, allowing the as-synthesized materials to exhibit different stacking sequences, leading to different physical properties. Here, we show that regardless of the space group of the 2D materials, the Raman frequencies of the interlayer shear modes observed under the typical "Equation missing" configuration blue shift for AB stacked materials and red shift for ABC stacked materials, as the number of layers increases. Our predictions are made using an intuitive bond polarizability model which shows that stacking sequence plays a key role in determining which interlayer shear modes lead to the largest change in polarizability (Raman intensity); the modes with the largest Raman intensity determining the frequency trends. We present direct evidence for these conclusions by studying the Raman modes in few layer graphene, MoS2, MoSe2, WSe2 and Bi2Se3, using both first principles calculations and Raman spectroscopy. This study sheds light on the influence of stacking sequence on the Raman intensities of intrinsic interlayer modes in 2D layered materials in general and leads to a practical way of identifying the stacking sequence in these materials.
Repeated Solid-state Dewetting of Thin Gold Films for Nanogap-rich Plasmonic Nanoislands
Authors: Kang Minhee , Park Sang-Gil , Jeong Ki-Hun
Published: October 2015

This work reports a facile wafer-level fabrication for nanogap-rich gold nanoislands for highly sensitive surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) by repeating solid-state thermal dewetting of thin gold film. The method provides enlarged gold nanoislands with small gap spacing, which increase the number of electromagnetic hotspots and thus enhance the extinction intensity as well as the tunability for plasmon resonance wavelength. The plasmonic nanoislands from repeated dewetting substantially increase SERS enhancement factor over one order-of-magnitude higher than those from a single-step dewetting process and they allow ultrasensitive SERS detection of a neurotransmitter with extremely low Raman activity. This simple method provides many opportunities for engineering plasmonics for ultrasensitive detection and highly efficient photon collection.
Structural Characterisation of the Beta-Ketoacyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Synthases, FabF and FabH, of Yersinia pestis
Authors: Nanson Jeffrey D. , Himiari Zainab , Swarbrick Crystall M. D. , Forwood Jade K.
Published: October 2015

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of bubonic, pneumonic and septicaemic plague, remains a major public health threat, with outbreaks of disease occurring in China, Madagascar and Peru in the last five years. The existence of multidrug resistant Y. pestis and the potential of this bacterium as a bioterrorism agent illustrates the need for new antimicrobials. The β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthases, FabB, FabF and FabH, catalyse the elongation of fatty acids as part of the type II fatty acid biosynthesis (FASII) system, to synthesise components of lipoproteins, phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides essential for bacterial growth and survival. As such, these enzymes are promising targets for the development of novel therapeutic agents. We have determined the crystal structures of the Y. pestis β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthases FabF and FabH and compared these with the unpublished, deposited structure of Y. pestis FabB. Comparison of FabB, FabF and FabH provides insights into the substrate specificities of these enzymes and investigation of possible interactions with known β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase inhibitors suggests FabB, FabF and FabH may be targeted simultaneously to prevent synthesis of the fatty acids necessary for growth and survival.
Different Brain Regions are Infected with Fungi in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Pisa Diana , Alonso Ruth , Rábano Alberto , Rodal Izaskun , Carrasco Luis
Published: October 2015

The possibility that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has a microbial aetiology has been proposed by several researchers. Here, we provide evidence that tissue from the central nervous system (CNS) of AD patients contain fungal cells and hyphae. Fungal material can be detected both intra- and extracellularly using specific antibodies against several fungi. Different brain regions including external frontal cortex, cerebellar hemisphere, entorhinal cortex/hippocampus and choroid plexus contain fungal material, which is absent in brain tissue from control individuals. Analysis of brain sections from ten additional AD patients reveals that all are infected with fungi. Fungal infection is also observed in blood vessels, which may explain the vascular pathology frequently detected in AD patients. Sequencing of fungal DNA extracted from frozen CNS samples identifies several fungal species. Collectively, our findings provide compelling evidence for the existence of fungal infection in the CNS from AD patients, but not in control individuals.
Distinct growth of the nasomaxillary complex in Au. sediba
Authors: Lacruz Rodrigo S. , Bromage Timothy G. , O’Higgins Paul , Toro-Ibacache Viviana , Warshaw Johanna , Berger Lee R.
Published: October 2015

Studies of facial ontogeny in immature hominins have contributed significantly to understanding the evolution of human growth and development. The recently discovered hominin species Autralopithecus sediba is represented by a well-preserved and nearly complete facial skeleton of a juvenile (MH1) which shows a derived facial anatomy. We examined MH1 using high radiation synchrotron to interpret features of the oronasal complex pertinent to facial growth. We also analyzed bone surface microanatomy to identify and map fields of bone deposition and bone resorption, which affect the development of the facial skeleton. The oronasal anatomy (premaxilla-palate-vomer architecture) is similar to other Australopithecus species. However surface growth remodeling of the midface (nasomaxillary complex) differs markedly from Australopithecus, Paranthropus, early Homo and from KNM-WT 15000 (H. erectus/ergaster) showing a distinct distribution of vertically disposed alternating depository and resorptive fields in relation to anterior dental roots and the subnasal region. The ontogeny of the MH1 midface superficially resembles some H. sapiens in the distribution of remodeling fields. The facial growth of MH1 appears unique among early hominins representing an evolutionary modification in facial ontogeny at 1.9 my, or to changes in masticatory system loading associated with diet.
Low-Cost High-Performance MRI
Authors: Sarracanie Mathieu , LaPierre Cristen D. , Salameh Najat , Waddington David E. J. , Witzel Thomas , Rosen Matthew S.
Published: October 2015

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is unparalleled in its ability to visualize anatomical structure and function non-invasively with high spatial and temporal resolution. Yet to overcome the low sensitivity inherent in inductive detection of weakly polarized nuclear spins, the vast majority of clinical MRI scanners employ superconducting magnets producing very high magnetic fields. Commonly found at 1.5–3 tesla (T), these powerful magnets are massive and have very strict infrastructure demands that preclude operation in many environments. MRI scanners are costly to purchase, site and maintain, with the purchase price approaching $1 M per tesla (T) of magnetic field. We present here a remarkably simple, non-cryogenic approach to high-performance human MRI at ultra-low magnetic field, whereby modern under-sampling strategies are combined with fully-refocused dynamic spin control using steady-state free precession techniques. At 6.5 mT (more than 450 times lower than clinical MRI scanners) we demonstrate (2.5 × 3.5 × 8.5) mm3 imaging resolution in the living human brain using a simple, open-geometry electromagnet, with 3D image acquisition over the entire brain in 6 minutes. We contend that these practical ultra-low magnetic field implementations of MRI (<10 mT) will complement traditional MRI, providing clinically relevant images and setting new standards for affordable (<$50,000) and robust portable devices.
Superconducting/magnetic Three-state Nanodevice for Memory and Reading Applications
Authors: del Valle J. , Gomez A. , Gonzalez E. M. , Osorio M. R. , Granados D. , Vicent J. L.
Published: October 2015

We present a simple nanodevice that can operate in two modes: i) non-volatile three-state memory and ii) reading device. The nanodevice can retain three well defined states −1, 0 and +1 and can operate in a second mode as a sensor for external magnetic fields. The nanodevice is fabricated with an array of ordered triangular-shaped nanomagnets embedded in a superconducting thin film gown on Si substrates. The device runs based on the combination of superconducting vortex ratchet effect (superconducting film) with the out of plane magnetization (nanomagnets). The input signals are ac currents and the output signal are dc voltages. The memory mode is realized without applying a magnetic field and the nanomagnet stray magnetic fields govern the effect. In the sensor mode an external magnetic field is applied. The main characteristic of this mode is that the output signal is null for a precise value of the external magnetic field that only depends on the fabrication characteristics of the nanodevice.
Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis Reveals the Enterovirus D68 Isolates during the United States 2014 Outbreak Mainly Belong to a Novel Clade
Authors: Huang Weihua , Wang Guiqing , Zhuge Jian , Nolan Sheila M. , Dimitrova Nevenka , Fallon John T.
Published: October 2015

In the late summer and the fall of 2014, the United States experienced an unprecedented outbreak of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infections. During the outbreak, we collected nasopharyngeal swab specimens from patients in the Lower Hudson Valley of New York. Here, we conduct a retrospective study on the genomic diversity of EV-D68 strains. We first employ a metagenomic shotgun sequencing protocol on a total of 93 clinical samples, including 21 negative controls, the results of which allow assembly of 20 EV-D68 genomes, six complete and 14 near-complete. We then investigate their genetic relationships, along with additional 20 EV-D68 strains having whole-genome sequences publicly available. Our comparative genomic analysis uncovers that the majority (26/29) of EV-D68 strains circulating in the 2014 outbreak differ significantly from prior ones, have a main feature of three variables, C1817T, C3277A and A4020G and belong to a new clade. C3277A causes amino acid substitution T860N in the protease 2Apro cleavage site between VP1 and 2A, whereas A4020G causes S1108G in a 3Cpro cleavage site between 2B and 2C. The two functional mutations may alter the proteases’ cleavage efficiency, leading to increased rate of viral replication and transmission. These provide insights into the evolution of epidemic EV-D68 strains.
In situ X-ray nanotomography of metal surfaces during electropolishing
Authors: Nave Maryana I. , Allen Jason P. , Karen Chen-Wiegart Yu-chen , Wang Jun , Kalidindi Surya R. , Kornev Konstantin G.
Published: October 2015

A low voltage electropolishing of metal wires is attractive for nanotechnology because it provides centimeter long and micrometer thick probes with the tip radius of tens of nanometers. Using X-ray nanotomography we studied morphological transformations of the surface of tungsten wires in a specially designed electrochemical cell where the wire is vertically submersed into the KOH electrolyte. It is shown that stability and uniformity of the probe span is supported by a porous shell growing at the surface of tungsten oxide and shielding the wire surface from flowing electrolyte. It is discovered that the kinetics of shell growth at the triple line, where meniscus meets the wire, is very different from that of the bulk of electrolyte. Many metals follow similar electrochemical transformations hence the discovered morphological transformations of metal surfaces are expected to play significant role in many natural and technological applications.
Experimental Realization of a Quantum Pentagonal Lattice
Authors: Yamaguchi Hironori , Okubo Tsuyoshi , Kittaka Shunichiro , Sakakibara Toshiro , Araki Koji , Iwase Kenji , Amaya Naoki , Ono Toshio , Hosokoshi Yuko
Published: October 2015

Geometric frustration, in which competing interactions give rise to degenerate ground states, potentially induces various exotic quantum phenomena in magnetic materials. Minimal models comprising triangular units, such as triangular and Kagome lattices, have been investigated for decades to realize novel quantum phases, such as quantum spin liquid. A pentagon is the second-minimal elementary unit for geometric frustration. The realization of such systems is expected to provide a distinct platform for studying frustrated magnetism. Here, we present a spin-1/2 quantum pentagonal lattice in the new organic radical crystal α-2,6-Cl2-V [=α-3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1,5-diphenylverdazyl]. Its unique molecular arrangement allows the formation of a partially corner-shared pentagonal lattice (PCPL). We find a clear 1/3 magnetization plateau and an anomalous change in magnetization in the vicinity of the saturation field, which originate from frustrated interactions in the PCPL.
Tumor cell specific and lysosome-targeted delivery of nitric oxide for enhanced photodynamic therapy triggered by 808 nm near-infrared light
Authors: Xiang Hui-Jing , Deng Qiao , An Lu , Guo Min , Yang Shi-Ping , Liu Jin-Gang
Published: October 2015

A novel cancer cell lysosome-targetable multifunctional NO-delivery nanoplatform (Lyso-Ru-NO@FA@C-TiO2) (1) was developed.
Dielectric function of two-phase colloid–polymer nanocomposite
Authors: Mitzscherling S. , Cui Q. , Koopman W. , Bargheer M.
Published: October 2015

A simple two-phase environment model is used to calculate localized plasmon resonances in effective media, beyond the limit of homogeneous media.
Solubility of n-butane and 2-methylpropane (isobutane) in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids with linear and branched alkyl side-chains
Authors: Pison Laure , Shimizu Karina , Tamas George , Lopes José Nuno Canongia , Quitevis Edward L. , Gomes Margarida F. Costa
Published: October 2015

Isobutane is less soluble than n-butane in imidazolium based ionic liquids with linear or branched alkyl side-chains.
Effects of MoO3 crystalline structure of MoO3–SnO2 catalysts on selective oxidation of glycol dimethyl ether to 1,2-propandiol
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhou , Zhang Qingde , Jia Lingyu , Wang Wenfeng , Xiao He , Han Yizhuo , Tsubaki Noritatsu , Tan Yisheng
Published: October 2015

Hexagonal, monoclinic and orthorhombic MoO3 crystalline phases were prepared to explore rational design requirements of the MoO3–SnO2 structure that are beneficial for the reaction of glycol dimethyl ether to 1,2-propandiol.
Synthesis of copper nanoparticles supported on a microporous covalent triazine polymer: an efficient and reusable catalyst for O-arylation reaction
Authors: Puthiaraj Pillaiyar , Ahn Wha-Seung
Published: October 2015

Cu NPs immobilized on a microporous covalent triazine polymer obtained by a cost-effective synthesis method were evaluated as a catalyst for Ullmann coupling of O-arylation.
2-Phosphino-1,3-diphosphonium ions
Authors: Gray Paul. A. , Carpenter Yuen-ying , Burford Neil , McDonald Robert
Published: October 2015

A series of 2-phosphino-1,3-diphosphonium trifluoromethanesulfonate salts has been prepared and comprehensively characterized.
Large-scale dynamic assembly of metal nanostructures in plasmofluidic field
Authors: Patra Partha Pratim , Chikkaraddy Rohit , Thampi Sreeja , Tripathi Ravi P. N. , Kumar G. V. Pavan
Published: October 2015

We discuss two aspects of the plasmofluidic assembly of plasmonic nanostructures at the metal–fluid interface. First, we experimentally show how three and four spot evanescent-wave excitation can lead to unconventional assembly of plasmonic nanoparticles at the metal–fluid interface. We observed that the pattern of assembly was mainly governed by the plasmon interference pattern at the metal–fluid interface, and further led to interesting dynamic effects within the assembly. The interference patterns were corroborated by 3D finite-difference time-domain simulations. Secondly, we show how anisotropic geometry, such as Ag nanowires, can be assembled and aligned in unstructured and structured plasmofluidic fields. We found that by structuring the metal-film, Ag nanowires can be aligned at the metal–fluid interface with a single evanescent-wave excitation, thus highlighting the prospect of assembling plasmonic circuits in a fluid. An interesting aspect of our method is that we obtain the assembly at locations away from the excitation points, thus leading to remote assembly of nanostructures. The results discussed herein may have implications in realizing a platform for reconfigurable plasmonic metamaterials, and a test-bed to understand the effect of plasmon interference on assembly of nanostructures in fluids.
Chiral self-assembly of helical particles
Authors: Kolli Hima Bindu , Cinacchi Giorgio , Ferrarini Alberta , Giacometti Achille
Published: October 2015

The shape of the building blocks plays a crucial role in directing self-assembly towards desired architectures. Out of the many different shapes, the helix has a unique position. Helical structures are ubiquitous in nature and a helical shape is exhibited by the most important biopolymers like polynucleotides, polypeptides and polysaccharides as well as by cellular organelles like flagella. Helical particles can self-assemble into chiral superstructures, which may have a variety of applications,e.g.as photonic (meta)materials. However, a clear and definite understanding of these structures has not been entirely achieved yet. We have recently undertaken an extensive investigation on the phase behaviour of hard helical particles, using numerical simulations and classical density functional theory. Here we present a detailed study of the phase diagram of hard helices as a function of their morphology. This includes a variety of liquid-crystal phases, with different degrees of orientational and positional ordering. We show how, by tuning the helix parameters, it is possible to control the organization of the system. Starting from slender helices, whose phase behaviour is similar to that of rodlike particles, an increase in curliness leads to the onset of azimuthal correlations between the particles and the formation of phases specific to helices. These phases feature a new kind of screw order, of which there is experimental evidence in colloidal suspensions of helical flagella.
Production of immunoregulatory polysaccharides from Crassostrea hongkongensis and their positive effects as a nutrition factor in modulating the effectiveness and toxicity of 5-FU chemotherapy in mice
Authors: Cai Bingna , Chen Hua , Sun Han , Wan Peng , Sun Huili , Pan Jianyu
Published: October 2015

The positive effects of an oyster polysaccharides enhanced nutrition formula were studied in S180 tumor-bearing mice.
Formulation and characterization of nanoencapsulated curcumin using sodium caseinate and its incorporation in ice cream
Authors: Kumar Deep Diyuti , Mann Bimlesh , Pothuraju Ramesh , Sharma Rajan , Bajaj Rajesh , Minaxi Minaxi
Published: October 2015

The preparation and characterization of a curcumin nanoemulsion with milk protein (sodium caseinate) were undertaken. The findings suggest that ice cream is a suitable dairy product for the delivery of lipophilic bioactive components which can be used for therapeutic purposes.
Low temperature hydrogenation of pyrolytic lignin over Ru/TiO2: 2D HSQC and 13C NMR study of reactants and products
Authors: Chen Wen , McClelland Daniel J. , Azarpira Ali , Ralph John , Luo Zhongyang , Huber George W.
Published: October 2015

The low temperature hydrogenation of pyrolytic lignin over Ru/TiO2 was studied and characterized with quantitative 13C and 2D 1H–13C HSQC NMR to determine the changes in carbon functionality.
Ferromagnetic α-Fe2O3 NPs: a potential catalyst in Sonogashira–Hagihara cross coupling and hetero-Diels–Alder reactions
Authors: Kataria Meenal , Pramanik Subhamay , Kaur Navleen , Kumar Manoj , Bhalla Vandana
Published: October 2015

Applications of in situ generated ferromagnetic α-Fe2O3 NPs as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for carbon–carbon bond formation via Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reactions and the synthesis of pyran derivatives by hetero-Diels–Alder reactions have been demonstrated.
Syntheses of polycyclic aromatic diimides via intramolecular cyclization of maleic acid derivatives
Authors: Wang Ranran , Shi Ke , Cai Kang , Guo Yikun , Yang Xiao , Wang Jie-Yu , Pei Jian , Zhao Dahui
Published: October 2015

A series of polycyclic aromatic molecules incorporating two 5-membered-ring dicarboximide groups are synthesized, exhibiting electron-transport properties.
A concentration dependent auto-relay-recognition by the same analyte: a dual fluorescence switch-on by hydrogen sulfide via Michael addition followed by reduction and staining for bio-activity
Authors: Das Avijit Kumar , Goswami Shyamaprosad , Dutta Gorachand , Maity Sibaprasad , Mandal Tarun kanti , Khanra Kalyani , Bhattacharyya Nandan
Published: October 2015

H2S is shown, for the first time, to play an extraordinary dual role due to its nucleophilicity and reducing property with a single chemosensor.
Cation reduction and comproportionation as novel strategies to produce high voltage, halide free, carborane based electrolytes for rechargeable Mg batteries
Authors: McArthur Scott. G. , Geng Linxiao , Guo Juchen , Lavallo Vincent
Published: October 2015

The chemical reduction of reactive cations and comproportionation are two new strategies reported to produce halide free carborane based electrolytes for rechargeable Mg batteries.
Rhodium catalysed conversion of carbenes into ketenes and ketene imines using PNN pincer complexes
Authors: Tang Z. , Mandal S. , Paul N. D. , Lutz M. , Li P. , van der Vlugt J. I. , de Bruin B.
Published: October 2015

PNN pincer-type rhodium complexes catalyze ketene and ketene imine synthesis, using CO or an isocyanide and a carbene precursor.