bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extractive industries and local development in the Peruvian Highlands
Authors: Ticci Elisa , Escobal Javier
Published: January 2014

During the last 20 years, the mining sector in Peru has been experiencing sustained growth. Using census, administrative, nationally and regionally representative data we compare districts in the Peruvian Highlands with a recent mining development with suitable counterfactuals. We find that the new mining activities attract migration inflows, and have some positive effects over educational indicators, and that these impacts, on average, are smaller in districts with lower levels of corporate social expenditure. However, the results of this study suggest that the local potential welfare impact of the mining boom is largely untapped and corporate social responsibility has had a limited role in improving this effect.
Insufficient autumn vitamin D intake and low vitamin D status in 7-year-old Icelandic children
Authors: Bjarnadottir Adda , Kristjansdottir Asa Gudrun , Hrafnkelsson Hannes , Johannsson Erlingur , Magnusson Kristjan Thor , Thorsdottir Inga
Published: January 2014

Objective

The aim was to investigate autumn vitamin D intake and status in 7-year-old Icelanders, fitting BMI and cardiorespiratory fitness as predictors.

Design

Three-day food records and fasting blood samples were collected evenly from September to November, and cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with an ergometer bike. Food and nutrient intakes were calculated, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) and serum parathyroid hormone were analysed. Suboptimal vitamin D status was defined s-25(OH)D <50 nmol/l, and deficient status as s-25(OH)D <25 nmol/l.

Setting

School-based study in Reykjavik, Iceland in 2006.

Subjects

Of the 7-year-olds studied (n 265), 165 returned valid intake information (62 %), 158 gave blood samples (60 %) and 120 gave both (45 %).

Results

Recommended vitamin D intake (10 μg/d) was reached by 22·4 % of the children and 65·2 % had s-25(OH)D <50 nmol/l. Median s-25(OH)D was higher for children taking vitamin D supplements (49·2 nmol/l v. 43·2 nmol/l, respectively; P < 0·0 0 1). Median s-25(OH)D was lower in November (36·7 nmol/l) than in September (59·9 nmol/l; P < 0·001). The regression model showed that week of autumn accounted for 18·9 % of the variance in s-25(OH)D (P < 0·001), vitamin D intake 5·2 % (P < 0·004) and cardiorespiratory fitness 4·6 % (P < 0·005).

Conclusions

A minority of children followed the vitamin D recommendations and 65 % had suboptimal vitamin D status during the autumn. Week of autumn was more strongly associated with vitamin D status than diet or cardiorespiratory fitness, which associated with vitamin D status to a similar extent. These results demonstrate the importance of sunlight exposure during summer to prevent suboptimal vitamin D status in young schoolchildren during autumn in northern countries. An increased effort is needed for enabling adherence to the vitamin D recommendations and increasing outdoor activities for sunlight exposure.
The proportion of unhealthy foodstuffs children are exposed to at the checkout of convenience supermarkets
Authors: Horsley Jason A , Absalom Katie AR , Akiens Evie M , Dunk Robert J , Ferguson Alice M
Published: January 2014

Objective

To investigate the proportion of foods that are unhealthy to which children are exposed at the checkout of convenience supermarkets.

Design

We performed a cross-sectional survey of foodstuffs displayed at the checkout. Products displayed at or below children's eye-level were designated as healthy, unhealthy or unclassifiable using the Food Standards Agency's scoring criteria.

Setting

Thirteen convenience supermarkets from the three leading UK supermarket chains were selected on the basis of proximity to the town hall in Sheffield, England.

Subjects

Convenience supermarkets were defined as branches of supermarket chains that were identified as being other than superstores on their company's store locator website.

Results

In almost all of the convenience supermarkets surveyed, the main healthy product on display was sugar-free chewing gum. On average, when chewing gum was not included as a foodstuff, 89% of the products on display at the checkouts of convenience supermarkets were unhealthy using the Food Standards Agency's criteria. One store was a notable outlier, providing only fruit and nuts at its checkout.

Conclusions

The overwhelming majority of products to which children are exposed at the convenience supermarket checkout are unhealthy. This is despite all the supermarket chains surveyed having signed up to the UK Government's ‘responsibility deal’.
The energy efficiency of organic agriculture: A review
Authors: Smith Laurence G. , Williams Adrian G. , Pearce Bruce. D.
Published: January 2014

Growing populations and a constrained fossil-manufactured energy supply present a major challenge for society and there is a real need to develop forms of agriculture that are less dependent on finite energy sources. It has been suggested that organic agriculture can provide a more energy efficient approach due to its focus on sustainable production methods. This review has investigated the extent to which this is true for a range of farming systems. Data from about 50 studies were reviewed with results suggesting that organic farming performs better than conventional for nearly all crop types when energy use is expressed on a unit of area basis. Results are more variable per unit of product due to the lower yield for most organic crops. For livestock, ruminant production systems tend to be more energy efficient under organic management due to the production of forage in grass–clover leys. Conversely, organic poultry tend to perform worse in terms of energy use as a result of higher feed conversion ratios and mortality rates compared to conventional fully housed or free-range systems. With regard to energy sources, there is some evidence that organic farms use more renewable energy and have less of an impact on natural ecosystems. Human energy requirements on organic farms are also higher as a result of greater system diversity and manual weed control. Overall this review has found that most organic farming systems are more energy efficient than their conventional counterparts, although there are some notable exceptions.
Acute and chronic immunomodulatory changes in rat liver after fetal and perinatal asphyxia
Authors: Vlassaks E. , Nikiforou M. , Strackx E. , Hütten M. , Bekers O. , Gazzolo D. , Li Volti G. , Martinez-Martinez P. , Kramer B. W. , Gavilanes A. W. D.
Published: January 2014

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) caused by fetal and perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of mortality in the neonatal period. Not only will asphyxia affect the brain but also other organs such as the liver and kidneys. Interestingly, it has been shown that liver damage is proportional to the severity of the asphyctic insult, implying an association between liver impairment and HIE. Accordingly, we investigated in an established rat model the acute and chronic hepatic response to both fetal (FA) and perinatal asphyxia (PA). In addition, we assessed whether fetal asphyctic preconditioning (PC) would have any beneficial effect on the liver. Inflammation, ceramide signaling and hepatocellular damage were analyzed in the livers of newborn and adult rats at several short- and long-term time points after both FA and PA. We found that although FA induced an acute inflammatory response, apoptotic mRNA levels and oxidative DNA damage were decreased at 96 h post FA. Whereas increased IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA levels were observed after PA, the combination of FA and PA (PC) attenuated the inflammatory response. Moreover, 6 h after PA anti-apoptotic genes were downregulated and associated with less lipid peroxidation, while preconditioned animals were comparable to controls. In summary, asphyctic PC seems to have an acute protective effect on the liver by modulating the inflammatory, apoptotic and anti-oxidative response. More insight into the hepatic response to asphyxia is necessary, as disturbed hepatic function is associated with metabolic diseases in later life.
How Automatic Is the Musical Stroop Effect?
Authors: Moeller Birte , Frings Christian
Published: January 2014

Grégoire, Perruchet, and Poulin-Charronnat (2013) investigated a musical variant of the reversed Stroop effect. According to the authors, one big advantage of this variant is that the automaticity of note naming can be better controlled than in other Stroop variants as musicians are very practiced in note reading whereas non-musicians are not. In this comment we argue that at present the exact impact of automaticity in this Stroop variant remains somewhat unclear for at least three reasons, namely due to the type of information that is automatically retrieved when notes are encountered, due to the possible influence of object-based attention, and finally due to the fact that the exact influence of expertise on interference cannot be pinpointed with an extreme group design.
What Is Learned, and When?
Authors: Gast Anne
Published: January 2014

In the musical Stroop task, which has recently been introduced by Grégoire, Perruchet, and Poulin-Charronat (2013), participants respond to note names that are placed inside musical notes. Musicians respond more slowly to note names that are incongruent with the note than to note names that are congruent with the note. Grégoire et al. propose to use this task to study the acquisition of automaticity by relating musical Stroop effects to the amount of musical experience. I discuss some caveats that have to be considered for these types of analyses. Specifically, I focus on how different contingencies in the learning situation relate to the Stroop effect and on the question whether a long-term perspective is suitable for studying the acquisition of automaticity.
Additional Insights
Authors: Akiva-Kabiri Lilach , Henik Avishai
Published: January 2014

In their paper “The Musical Stroop Effect: Opening a New Avenue to Research on Automatisms,” Grégoire, Perruchet, and Poulin-Charronnat (2013) use a musical Stroop-like task to demonstrate the automaticity of musical note naming in musicians. In addition, the authors suggest that music training can serve as a tool in order to study the acquisition of automaticity. In the following commentary, we aim to address three main issues concerning the paper by Grégoire et al. (2013) . First, we will suggest some additional interpretations of the results; specifically, we will relate to the association between music and space. Second, we will discuss a methodological issue dealing with interference, facilitation, and the role of the neutral condition. We suggest that the study by Grégoire et al. (2013) lacks a proper neutral condition and thus it is impossible to assert that the congruency effect is interference based. Third, we will discuss the authors’ suggestion of using the musical Stroop effect as a tool for studying automatism. We consider the practical relevance of music training as a tool for studying the acquisition of automaticity by pointing out that music training is highly heterogeneous.
Is the Musical Stroop Effect Able to Keep Its Promises?
Authors: Grégoire Laurent , Perruchet Pierre , Poulin-Charronnat Bénédicte
Published: January 2014

Grégoire, Perruchet, and Poulin-Charronnat (2013) claimed that the Musical Stroop task, which reveals the automaticity of note naming in musician experts, provides a new tool for studying the development of automatisms through extensive training in natural settings. Many of the criticisms presented in the four commentaries published in this issue appear to be based on a misunderstanding of our procedure, or questionable postulates. We maintain that the Musical Stroop Effect offers promising possibilities for further research on automaticity, with the main proviso that the current procedure makes it difficult to tease apart facilitation and interference.
Empirical Validation of the Team Work Engagement Construct
Authors: Costa Patrícia , Margarida Passos Ana , Bakker Arnold
Published: January 2014

This article presents an empirical validation of the construct of team work engagement. Two different samples were used to test the hypotheses. Results from convergent and discriminant validity are presented as well as confirmatory factor analysis that explores the construct’s factor structure. Results support the idea that team- and individual-level work engagement are two different, yet related, constructs. However, data do not support the factorial invariance across levels: At the team level, the 1-factor structure, and not the 3-factor one, seems to be the one that best fits the data. This is a necessary first step for future research providing a justification for further analyzing the importance of team work engagement and its relationship with other variables, namely with team effectiveness.
The first supramolecular peptidic hydrogelator containing taurine
Authors: Kuang Yi , Gao Yuan , Shi Junfeng , Li Jie , Xu Bing
Published: January 2014

The conjugation of taurine, a non-proteinogenic amino acid, with a dipeptide derivative affords a cell compatible, small molecular hydrogelator that self-assembles in water to exhibit rich phase behaviors.
Reduced TiO2rutile nanorods with well-defined facets and their visible-light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Zhao Zhao , Tan Huaqiao , Zhao Haifeng , Lv Yang , Zhou Li-Jing , Song Yujiang , Sun Zaicheng
Published: January 2014

Enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance for water splitting H2evolution is obtained from reduced TiO2rutile nanorods with well-defined facets.
Positively charged graphene oxide nanoparticle: precisely label the plasma membrane of live cell and sensitively monitor extracellular pH in situ
Authors: Zhu Huarui , Gao Liang , Jiang Xinglu , Liu Ru , Wei Yueteng , Wang Yaling , Zhao Yuliang , Chai Zhifang , Gao Xueyun
Published: January 2014

Graphene oxide nanoparticles with positive charge can be developed as fluorescent nanoprobes to detect extracellular pH variation of live cells.
A binder-free CNT network–MoS2 composite as a high performance anode material in lithium ion batteries
Authors: Lu Congxiang , Liu Wen-wen , Li Hong , Tay Beng Kang
Published: January 2014

CNT network and MoS2 are rationally architected into a composite, which demonstrates excellent performances as a binder-free anode material in LIB.
Small molecule BODIPY dyes as non-fullerene acceptors in bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaics
Authors: Poe Ambata M. , Della Pelle Andrea M. , Subrahmanyam Ayyagari V. , White William , Wantz Guillaume , Thayumanavan S.
Published: January 2014

A–D–A small-molecule electron acceptors containing meso-conjugated BODIPY caps were employed in P3HT-based OPV devices, yielding efficiencies as high as 1.51%.
Photoresponsive porous materials: the design and synthesis of photochromic diarylethene-based linkers and a metal–organic framework
Authors: Patel Dinesh G. (Dan) , Walton Ian M. , Cox Jordan M. , Gleason Cody J. , Butzer David R. , Benedict Jason B.
Published: January 2014

The synthesis and characterization of novel photochromic diarylethene-based linkers for use in metal–organic frameworks is described including crystal structure analysis of nearly all reaction intermediates.
Two manganese–amine complexes incorporating thioantimonates and exhibiting diversiform roles of amine ligands
Authors: Yue Cheng-Yang , Lei Xiao-Wu , Zang Hui-Ping , Zhai Xiu-Rong , Feng Li-Juan , Zhao Zhi-Fei , Zhao Jian-Qiang , Liu Xin-Yue
Published: January 2014

Two manganese–amine complexes incorporating thioantimonates with diversiform structure-directing actions of the amine ligands have been synthesized and characterized.
A Cu(ii) mediated new desulfurization pathway involving elimination of ethylene sulfide
Authors: Sareen Neha , Singh Suryabhan , Bhattacharya Subrato
Published: January 2014

A facile and unusual route of desulfurization of a thiodiacetate moiety accompanied by elimination of thiirane.
Homo- and heteropolymetallic 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazolate manganese and rhenium complexes
Authors: Arroyo Marta , Gómez-Iglesias Patricia , Antón Noelia , García-Rodríguez Raúl , Alegria Elisabete C. B. A. , Pombeiro Armando J. L. , Miguel Daniel , Villafañe Fernando
Published: January 2014

Heteropolymetallic complexes with pyridylpyrazolates bridging Mn and Na or K are tetrametallic and contain bridging pyridylpyrazolates with an unprecedented coordination mode, whereas the Mn/Li complex is bimetallic.
Solution-processed bulk heterojunction solar cells based on a porphyrin small molecule with 7% power conversion efficiency
Authors: Qin Hongmei , Li Lisheng , Guo Fangqing , Su Shijian , Peng Junbiao , Cao Yong , Peng Xiaobin
Published: January 2014

Solution-processed BHJ solar cells based on a porphyrin small molecule as the donor material exhibit a PCE of up to 7.23%.
In situ oxygenous functionalization of a graphite electrode for enhanced affinity towards charged species and a reduced graphene oxide mediator
Authors: Karim Mohammad Razaul , Ikeda Yukino , Ide Takato , Sugimoto Shotaro , Toda Kei , Kitamura Yusuke , Ihara Toshihiro , Matsui Takeshi , Taniguchi Takaaki , Koinuma Michio , Matsumoto Yasumichi , Hayami Shinya
Published: January 2014

Carbon electrodes affinity for charged specious and graphene oxide increased significantly after oxygenous functionalization.
Copper-catalyzed highly selective direct hydrosulfonylation of alkynes with arylsulfinic acids leading to vinyl sulfones
Authors: Wei Wei , Li Jinli , Yang Daoshan , Wen Jiangwei , Jiao Yueting , You Jinmao , Wang Hua
Published: January 2014

Copper-catalyzed direct hydrosulfonylation of alkynes with arylsulfinic acids for the synthesis of (E)-vinyl sulfones has been developed with 100% atom efficiency.
Nanostructured ethylene–styrene copolymers
Authors: Galdi Nunzia , Buonerba Antonio , Oliva Patrizia , Oliva Leone
Published: January 2014

A judicious choice of a polyinsertion catalyst and monomer feed composition allows the one-pot synthesis of ethylene–styrene copolymers with an unprecedented structure, containing an isotactic polystyrene (iPS) block joined to an isotactic ethylene-alt-styrene sequence (iP(E-alt-S)).
Synthesis of ordered mesoporous silica/ceria–silica composites and their high catalytic performance for solvent-free oxidation of benzyl alcohol at room temperature
Authors: Pal Nabanita , Cho Eun-Bum , Kim Dukjoon
Published: January 2014

Ordered mesoporous Ce-MCM-41 and Ce-MCM-48 were prepared in which cerium was incorporated up to 29% of Ce/Si. These materials exhibit outstanding efficiency for highly selective solvent-free liquid phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde at room temperature.
Remarkable influence of secondary catalyst site on enantioselective desymmetrization of cyclopentenedione
Authors: Manna Madhu Sudan , Mukherjee Santanu
Published: January 2014

An efficient, robust and highly enantioselective catalytic desymmetrization of 2,2-disubstituted cyclopentene-1,3-diones is developed via direct vinylogous nucleophilic addition of deconjugated butenolides.
Discovery of anion–π interactions in the recognition mechanism of inorganic anions by 1,2,3-triazolium rings
Authors: Caballero Antonio , Zapata Fabiola , González Lidia , Molina Pedro , Alkorta Ibon , Elguero José
Published: January 2014

The simultaneous action of two noncovalent interactions in solution, hydrogen-bonding and anion–π, resulted in a selective receptor for HP2O73−anions.
Energy‐efficient power allocation for two‐hop relay networks
Authors: Li Yong , Zheng Zhengguang
Published: January 2014

A joint relay selection and power allocation scheme to maximise energy efficiency with restriction on the minimum spectral efficiency requirement for an amplify‐and‐forward two‐hop relay network is presented. A closed‐form solution of the low‐complexity power allocation for such a system has been derived, which is easy to implement and has the potential to find wide application in green communications. Some numerical examples are provided to validate the analysis.
X‐band differential bandpass filter with high common‐mode suppression using substrate integrated waveguide cavity
Authors: Jin C. , Chen Jian‐Xin , Chu H. , Bao Z.‐H.
Published: January 2014

A novel X‐band differential bandpass filter based on substrate integrated waveguide is proposed. By making an aperture etched in the middle common ground of the vertically stacked cavities, the common‐mode (CM) signals can be highly suppressed. Compared with conventional structures, the proposed design possesses a relatively simple and effective measure for the rejection of the CM signals. Based on simulated and measured results, good differential‐mode responses can be observed along with a CM rejection of more than 45 dB in a wide frequency range.
Babinet's principle applied to ultra‐wideband antennas for high isolation
Authors: Chami A. , Brachat P. , Fortino N. , Kossiavas G.
Published: January 2014

The application of Babinet's principle to the ultra‐wideband (UWB) differential planar printed antenna is presented. This electromagnetic technique is applied to a classical monopole UWB antenna, and can also be applied to most types of printed antennas. It permits grouping on the same substrate of two antennas close to each other, operating in the same frequency band and with high isolation. In the final prototype, the antenna is co‐designed with a transmitter/receiver pulse chip and optimised to operate in the Federal Communications Commission frequency band with a return loss <−6 dB. The overall dimensions of the differential antenna are 56 × 30 mm2.
Outage probability analysis of spatial modulation systems with antenna selection
Authors: Kumbhani B. , Kshetrimayum R.S.
Published: January 2014

The outage probability of spatial modulation (SM) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems incorporated with transmit antenna selection (TAS) over Rayleigh fading channels for binary phase shift keying signals is analysed. A MIMO system with Nt transmit and Nr receive antennas in the Rayleigh fading environment is considered. S < Nt antennas are selected at the transmitter side to maximise the received signal power. A closed form expression for the outage probability of the SM MIMO systems with TAS is derived and validated using the simulation results.
Compact CPW fed electrically small antenna for WLAN application
Authors: Deepak U. , Roshna T.K. , Nijas C.M. , Mohanan P.
Published: January 2014

A compact coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed electrically small antenna suitable for 2.4 GHz WLAN applications is presented. The resonance of the structure is achieved by implanting a chip inductor in between the centre conductor of an open‐ended CPW transmission line and a short metal strip. The total electrical size of the fabricated antenna is 0.08λ0 × 0.0479λ0. The reflection and radiation characteristics of the antenna and a method to enhance the gain are discussed.
Phase and intensity control of multiple coil currents in mid‐range wireless power transfer
Authors: Uchida Akiyoshi , Shimokawa Satoshi , Kawano Hiroyasu , Ozaki Kazuyuki , Matsui Kiyoto , Taguchi Masakazu
Published: January 2014

Many studies have attempted to increase the transmission distance for wireless power transfer, particularly since the development of resonant magnetic coupling. As a result, wireless power transfer is now possible in mid‐ranges, but it has led to new problems, such as device posture‐related problems. In wireless power transfer using magnetic fields, adequate efficiency is difficult to obtain when the receiver coil is parallel to the magnetic field, and such cases easily occur. To solve this problem, the authors propose a method to control the phase and the intensity of multiple coil currents by considering the power source. They developed a simulation model and investigated a suitable control method for two assumed applications. They developed two control methods, one for a portable device and the other for the sensors. By performing numerical simulations and experiments, they confirmed that the methods produced the desired effects.
Miniaturised multiband two‐element coaxial continuous transverse stub antenna for satellite C‐band applications
Authors: Jothilakshmi Vishnu Prakash P. , Srinivasan Raju
Published: January 2014

The continuous transverse stub (CTS) technology incorporates the use of coaxial lines to produce effective microwave antenna structures that radiate an omnidirectional pattern with high efficiency and low return loss. In this paper a two‐element coaxial CTS antenna array is designed to operate in the C‐band with improved efficiency and gain. The proposed prototype of the C‐band antenna, with design operating frequencies –5.18, 6.536 and 7.42 GHz, finds numerous applications in C‐band satellite communications. During simulation, the efficiency at these frequencies had been observed to be 89.5, 87.6 and 95.9% and their corresponding gains were observed to be 7.54, 5.24 and 7.51 dB, respectively. The measured results of the C‐band antenna prototype for the above stated frequencies were observed to be 5.185, 6.845 and 7.313 GHz, respectively. This antenna can be used in INSAT/super extended C‐band, fixed‐satellite services which include space to earth, earth to space as well as mobile satellite services. The radiation of the designed structure is omnidirectional in the horizon plane, with minimum return loss. These simple and low‐cost coaxial CTS structures can be adopted in wireless communication systems.
State-to-state Photoionization Dynamics of Vanadium Nitride by Two-color Laser Photoionization and Photoelectron Methods
Authors: Huang Huang , Luo Zhi-hong , Chang Yih Chung , Lau Kai-Chung , Ng C. Y.
Published: January 2014

We have conducted a two-color visible-ultraviolet (VIS-UV) resonance-enhanced laser photoionization and pulsed field ionization-photoelectron (PFI-PE) study of gaseous vanadium mononitride (VN) in the total energy range of 56900–59020 cm−1. The VN molecules were selectively excited to single rotational levels of the intermediate VN(D3Π0, v′=0) state by using a VIS dye laser prior to photoionization by employing a UV laser. This two-color scheme allows the measurements of rovibronically selected and resolved PFI-PE spectra for the VN+(X2Δ; v+=0, 1, and 2) ion vibrational bands. By simulating the rotationally resolved PFI-PE spectra,J+=3/2 is determined to be the lowest rotational level of the ground electronic state, indicating that the symmetry of the ground VN+ electronic state is 2Δ3/2. The analysis of the PFI-PE spectra for VN+ also yields accurate values for the adiabatic ionization energy for the formation of VN+(X2Δ3/2), IE(VN)=56909.5±0.8 cm−1 (7.05588±0.00010 eV), the vibrational frequency ωe+=1068.0±0.8 cm−1, the anharmonicity constant ωe+χe+=5.8±0.8 cm−1, the rotational constantsBe+=0.6563±0.0005 cm−1 and αe+=0.0069±0.0004 cm−1, and the equilibrium bond length, re+=1.529 Å, for VN+(X2Δ3/2); along with the rotational constantsBe+=0.6578±0.0028 cm−1 and αe+=0.0085±0.0028 cm−1, and the equilibrium bond length re+=1.527 Å for VN+(X2Δ5/2), and the spin-orbit coupling constant A=153.3±0.8 cm−1 for VN+(X2Δ5/2,3/2). The highly precise energetic and spectroscopic data obtained in the present study are valuable for benchmarking the predictions based on state-of-the-art ab initio quantum calculations.
Laser-induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy of CoS: Identification of a New Excited State Arising from the Ground State
Authors: Zang Jian-zheng , Zhang Qun , Zhang De-ping , Qin Cheng-bing , Zhang Qiang , Chen Yang
Published: January 2014

Laser-induced fluorescence excitation spectra and dispersed fluorescence spectra of cobalt sulfide (CoS) have been recorded in the energy range of 22400–24400 cm−1 (corresponding to 446–409 nm). A new electronic transition progression with six vibronic bands, stemming from the X4Δ7/2 state of CoS, was identified and assigned to be [24.00]4Δ7/2−X4Δ7/2. The new observed 4Δ state most probably originates from the core[10σ2][4π3][11σ2][1δ3][5π3] electronic configuration. Strong perturbations are found to extensively exist in the transition bands of this new state. The rotational constants and lifetimes of these bands have been determined.
Steric Effects in the Cl+CHD3(v1=1) Reaction
Authors: Wang Fengyan , Liu Kopin
Published: January 2014

A recent study has revealed a full 3-dimentional reactive scattering picture of the reaction C1+CHD3(v1=1) as the Cl atoms attack CHD3 from various directions respective to the C—H stretching bond. The reported polarization-dependent differential cross sections provide the most detailed characterization of the influences of reagent alignments on reactivity. To convey the stereo-specific information more accessible to general chemists, we show here, by proper symmetry considerations, how to retrieve from the measurements the relative integral and differential cross sections of two most common collision geometries: the end-on versus side-on attacks. The results, albeit coarse-grained, provide an appealing picture that not only reinforces our intuition about chemical reactivity, but also sheds more light on the conventional (unpolarized) attributes.
Design Near-threshold Photoelectron Imaging Spectrometer Based on UV Laser Induced Photoelectron Emission Anion Source
Authors: Qin Zheng-bo , Wu Xia , Tang Zi-chao
Published: January 2014

We have developed a compact photoelectron imaging facility, including an anion source with dissociative photoelectron attachment to molecules, a linear time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS), and an orthogonal high-resolution threshold photoelectron velocity map imaging spectrometer (VMI). Intense and cold cluster anions were prepared in photoelectron-attachment processes upon pulsed UV laser ablation of metal target. Combining this anion source with TOFMS-VMI, the achieved mass resolution is about 200, and the electron kinetic energy resolution is better than 3%, i.e., 30 meV for 1 eV electrons. More importantly, low-energy photoelectron imaging spectra for CH3S− and S2− at 611.46 nm are obtained. In both cases, the refined electron affinities are determined to be 1.8626±0.0020 eV for CH3S and 1.6744±0.0035 eV for S2, respectively. Preliminary results suggest that the apparatus is a powerful tool for estimating precise electron affinities values from threshold photoelectron imaging spectroscopy.
Modified N,O-Nucleosides: Design, Synthesis, and Anti-tumour Activity
Authors: Maiuolo Loredana , Bortolini Olga , De Nino Antonio , Russo Beatrice , Gavioli Riccardo , Sforza Fabio
Published: January 2014

A preliminary library of modified N,O-nucleosides was prepared and tested on a selected number of human cancer lines that include SKOV3, SW480, and K562. Thymine, N-benzyl substituents, and aromatic rings contribute to an increase of the biological activity, up to 10–25 μM, that appeared also reliant on the calculated lipophilicity of the nucleosides, expressed as cLogP, where P represents the partition coefficient of a solute between n-octanol and water.
Treating small fiber neuropathy by topical application of a small molecule modulator of ligand-induced GFRα/RET receptor signaling
Authors: Hedstrom Kristian L. , Murtie Joshua C. , Albers Kathryn , Calcutt Nigel A. , Corfas Gabriel
Published: January 2014

Significance

Small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a disorder of peripheral nerves that affects millions of people around the world. Currently, there are no treatments for SFN, but target-derived neurotrophic factors have been considered potential therapeutics. Here, we show that topical application of XIB4035, a small molecule that enhances signaling by the glial-derived neurotrophic factor family of molecules, ameliorates SFN pathologies and symptoms in two mouse models. These findings imply that XIB4035 or related molecules could provide a new strategy for SFN treatment with potentially lower risk for side effects because of the topical delivery route and their limited signaling effects.
Role of clusters in nonclassical nucleation and growth of protein crystals
Authors: Sleutel Mike , Van Driessche Alexander E. S.
Published: January 2014

Significance

Intermediate metastable states are believed to be vital in the process of nucleation of crystalline material from solution. Our experimental evidence shows such intermediates can be liquid-like clusters that are stable with respect to the parent liquid and metastable compared with the emerging crystalline phase. Under given conditions, these clusters can contribute actively to the nucleation process, and hence, at least in the case for the proteins tested, partake in a two-step nucleation process. Moreover, upon merging with the crystal lattice, these clusters lead to a nonclassical mechanism of crystal growth that triggers a self-purifying cascade of impurity poisoned crystal surfaces.
CRL4-like Clr4 complex in
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
depends on an exposed surface of Dos1 for heterochromatin silencing
Authors: Kuscu Canan , Zaratiegui Mikel , Kim Hyun Soo , Wah David A. , Martienssen Robert A. , Schalch Thomas , Joshua-Tor Leemor
Published: January 2014

Significance

The CLRC complex is essential for heterochromatin formation in the yeast
Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
Its well-known role in placing methyl marks on histone H3 lysine 9 at heterochromatic loci is attributed to one of its components, cryptic loci regulator 4. However, it also contains an E3 ubiquitin ligase, a less understood activity of this complex. Here, we describe the organization of this seven-component complex and determine the crystal structure of delocalization of Swi6 1 (Dos1), a key subunit involved in targeting CLRC. We identify Dos2 as the central component of the complex and point of contact with Stc1, which bridges CLRC to the RNAi-induced transcriptional silencing complex, and show that heterochromatin formation is dependent on an exposed surface of Dos1. These results provide an unprecedented, high-resolution functional annotation of CLRC.
Novel antiviral host factor, TNK1, regulates IFN signaling through serine phosphorylation of STAT1
Authors: Ooi Ee Lyn , Chan Stephanie T. , Cho Noell E. , Wilkins Courtney , Woodward Jessica , Li Meng , Kikkawa Ushio , Tellinghuisen Timothy , Gale Michael , Saito Takeshi
Published: January 2014

Significance

IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) are the antiviral effectors and a key component of intracellular antiviral innate immunity. Inefficient induction of ISGs is linked to poor disease outcome and allows viruses to establish persistent infection. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronically infects over 200 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of advanced liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. In this work, our high-throughput cDNA screening identified a novel antiviral host factor, tyrosine kinase nonreceptor 1, that suppresses the HCV life cycle through STAT1 activation to the induction of ISGs. Our findings add an important unique player in JAK-STAT signaling and advance our understanding of IFN biology. This will contribute to the improvement of our antiviral strategy against human pathogenic infectious disease.
Mistimed sleep disrupts circadian regulation of the human transcriptome
Authors: Archer Simon N. , Laing Emma E. , Möller-Levet Carla S. , van der Veen Daan R. , Bucca Giselda , Lazar Alpar S. , Santhi Nayantara , Slak Ana , Kabiljo Renata , von Schantz Malcolm , Smith Colin P. , Dijk Derk-Jan
Published: January 2014

Significance

Disruption of the timing of the sleep–wake cycle and circadian rhythms, such as occurs during jet lag and shift work, leads to disordered physiological rhythms, but to what extent the molecular elements of circadian rhythm generation are affected is not known. Here, we show that delaying sleep by 4 h for 3 consecutive days leads to a sixfold reduction of circadian transcripts in the human blood transcriptome to just 1%, whereas, at the same time, the centrally driven circadian rhythm of melatonin is not affected. Genes and processes affected included those at the core of circadian rhythm generation and gene expression. The data have implications for understanding the negative health outcomes of disruption of the sleep–wake cycle.
Complementary molecular information changes our perception of food web structure
Authors: Wirta Helena K. , Hebert Paul D. N. , Kaartinen Riikka , Prosser Sean W. , Várkonyi Gergely , Roslin Tomas
Published: January 2014

Significance

Understanding the interaction structure of ecological assemblages is the basis for understanding how they vary in space and time. To reconstruct interactions in the High Arctic, we draw on three sources of information: two based on DNA sequence data and one on the rearing of parasitoids from their hosts. Overall, we show that a combination of all three techniques will not only provide high resolution for describing feeding associations among individual species, but also revamp our view of the overall structure of the target network. Thus, our findings suggest that combining several types of information will fundamentally change our impression of both how local interaction webs are structured, and how biotic interactions are patterned across the globe.
Direct cloning and refactoring of a silent lipopeptide biosynthetic gene cluster yields the antibiotic taromycin A
Authors: Yamanaka Kazuya , Reynolds Kirk A. , Kersten Roland D. , Ryan Katherine S. , Gonzalez David J. , Nizet Victor , Dorrestein Pieter C. , Moore Bradley S.
Published: January 2014

Significance

Microbes have the genetic capacity to produce large numbers of specialized compounds, yet produce only a small fraction of these in the laboratory. Here we introduce a genetic platform that allows the efficient production of natural product molecules from uncharacterized gene collections. We used transformation-associated recombination in yeast to directly clone and express an orphan biosynthetic gene cluster for the production of the lipopeptide antibiotic taromycin A. With this direct cloning approach, a single genomic capture and expression vector was designed directly from next-generation sequencing data, which precisely captures genetic loci of interest and readily facilitates genetic manipulations. This study highlights a “plug-and-play” approach to cryptic biosynthetic pathways for the discovery and development of natural product drug candidates.
Doxorubicin-induced carbonylation and degradation of cardiac myosin binding protein C promote cardiotoxicity
Authors: Aryal Baikuntha , Jeong Jinsook , Rao V. Ashutosh
Published: January 2014

Significance

Doxorubicin is one of the most successful anticancer agents. However, 10–30% of all treated patients experience a dose-limiting cardiac adverse event. Oxidative stress is partly responsible for the cardiotoxicity because the heart does not possess required antioxidant mechanisms. Protein oxidation by carbonylation is irreversible and marks proteins for loss of function and degradation. Using proteomics and MS, we identified and investigated cardiac myosin binding protein (MyBPC) as being selectively carbonylated during toxicity. Carbonylated MyBPC represents a unique breakthrough in the understanding of how cancer agents damage the heart and for development of targeted cardioprotectants. We used animals, cells, and recombinant protein to discover the mechanistic significance of specific protein oxidation in the context of an established but unmet medical problem.
Structure, domain organization, and different conformational states of stem cell factor-induced intact KIT dimers
Authors: Opatowsky Yarden , Lax Irit , Tomé Francisco , Bleichert Franziska , Unger Vinzenz M. , Schlessinger Joseph
Published: January 2014

Significance

Stem cell factor (SCF) mediates its cellular responses by binding to and activating KIT, a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase. Here we describe an electron microscopy (EM) 3D reconstruction of negatively stained preparations of SCF-stimulated full-length KIT dimers. Assessment of the EM structure in respect to X-ray crystal structures of KIT extracellular and tyrosine kinase domains reveals the relative positioning of the individual domains in the context of the entire SCF-KIT complex. Whereas the homotypic contacts between the two KIT protomers show a consistent twofold symmetry for the ectodomains, the cytoplasmic arrangement is asymmetric and is found in several discrete conformations. The observed asymmetric contacts between tyrosine kinases may represent molecular interactions occurring during
trans
autophosphorylation and kinase stimulation.
Compressed plane waves yield a compactly supported multiresolution basis for the Laplace operator
Authors: Ozoliņš Vidvuds , Lai Rongjie , Caflisch Russel , Osher Stanley
Published: January 2014

Significance

Linear expansions in basis functions are used to approximate continuous functions in many areas of engineering, science, and mathematics. Plane waves are perhaps the most widely used example of a general basis that is both simple and efficient. However, individual plane waves are spatially delocalized, and hence a large number of basis functions become necessary to describe rapidly varying phenomena. We propose a generalization of the plane wave basis, called compressed plane waves, which combine multiresolution properties in both time and frequency domains. These functions are derived from an

regularized variational principle for a differential operator (Laplacian) and can efficiently represent functions which contain both slowly and rapidly varying features.
HSV-1 degrades, stabilizes, requires, or is stung by STING depending on ICP0, the US3 protein kinase, and cell derivation
Authors: Kalamvoki Maria , Roizman Bernard
Published: January 2014

Significance

STING (stimulator of IFN genes) and IFI16 are sensors of DNA in cytoplasm and the nucleus, respectively. Both signal activation of innate immune responses. Both proteins are stable in wild-type virus-infected cells. The key finding with broad implications is that in HSV-1–infected cells STING and IFI16 are actively stabilized inasmuch as they are degraded in cells lacking functional ICP0 or protein kinase US3. Moreover, STING was required for optimal replication in HEp-2 or HeLa cells derived from cancers but was inimical in HEL or HEK293 cells derived initially from normal tissues and in the case of HEK293 cells transformed with viral oncogenes. The requirements for stabilization of STING and IFI16 were not covariant.
Guest–host interactions of a rigid organic molecule in porous silica frameworks
Authors: Wu Di , Hwang Son-Jong , Zones Stacey I. , Navrotsky Alexandra
Published: January 2014

Significance

Confinement of molecules in nanoscale pores is important in both science and technology. This paper reports a systematic analysis of the structural, thermodynamic, and dynamic behavior on confinement of a rigid organic molecule in a series of silica frameworks with different pore sizes (0.8 to 20.0 nm). The comprehensive data set enables the strength of guest–host interactions to be calculated; structure, phase, and dynamics of confined guests in pores of various diameters to be analyzed; and different types of inclusion to be described. The evolution from single-molecule confinement to multimolecule adsorption/confinement to nanocrystal confinement is documented. This provides a conceptual model linking confinement on various length scales.
Digital microfluidic assay for protein detection
Authors: Mok Janine , Mindrinos Michael N. , Davis Ronald W. , Javanmard Mehdi
Published: January 2014

Significance

We developed a novel proteomic platform that can easily be translated into a protein biomarker diagnostic. This platform integrates microfluidic technology with electrical impedance sensing and embodies a unique two-chamber architecture in which the capture/reaction and detection steps are physically separated from one another. This two-chamber design is a deviation from traditional proteomic biosensors and offers the potential for greater sensitivity as the capture/reaction and detection steps can be independently optimized. We demonstrate the implementation and feasibility of this platform in assaying both protein abundance, using the human cytokine interleukin 6, and activity, using Abelson tyrosine kinase.
Golgi complex–plasma membrane trafficking directed by an autonomous, tribasic Golgi export signal
Authors: Parmar Hirendrasinh B. , Barry Christopher , Kai FuiBoon , Duncan Roy
Published: January 2014

Although numerous linear motifs that direct protein trafficking within cells have been identified, there are few examples of linear sorting signals mediating directed export of membrane proteins from the Golgi complex to the plasma membrane. The reovirus fusion-associated small transmembrane proteins are simple, single-pass transmembrane proteins that traffic through the endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi pathway to the plasma membrane, where they induce cell–cell membrane fusion. Here we show that a membrane-proximal, polybasic motif (PBM) in the cytosolic tail of p14 is essential for efficient export of p14 from the Golgi complex to the plasma membrane. Extensive mutagenic analysis reveals that the number, but not the identity or position, of basic residues present in the PBM dictates p14 export from the Golgi complex, with a minimum of three basic residues required for efficient Golgi export. Results further indicate that the tribasic motif does not affect plasma membrane retention of p14. Furthermore, introduction of the tribasic motif into a Golgi-localized, chimeric ERGIC-53 protein directs export from the Golgi complex to the plasma membrane. The p14 PBM is the first example of an autonomous, tribasic signal required for Golgi export to the plasma membrane.
Modelling the impacts of fish aggregating devices (FADs) and fish enhancing devices (FEDs) and their implications for managing small-scale fishery
Authors: Cabral Reniel B. , Aliño Porfirio M. , Lim May T.
Published: January 2014

Fish aggregating devices (FADs) are deployed to aggregate fish over a limited area to improve fish catch. Fish enhancing devices (FEDs), which are FADs deployed in no-fishing areas, are fast gaining popularity as a fisheries management tool in the western Pacific. Yet, the impacts of utilizing FADs and FEDs are not yet well understood. In this work, we used a mean-field model to assess the effects of utilizing FADs and FEDs on stock biomass and catch. Our results indicate that using FADs enhances catch per boat when total fishing pressure is low, but can exacerbate fishery collapse when fishing effort is high. On the other hand, a FED-based system can increase the resistance of the fishery to collapse. A FED-based fishery may thus serve as pelagic marine protected areas and/or refugia. In a quota-based system, where fishing time is tied to catch quota, a phase transition occurs: both catch and biomass abruptly shift to low levels without warning. Deploying FADs to act as FEDs in a high quota fishery can prevent this phase transition resulting to a stabilizing effect.