bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a predictive power law relationship for polymer composites based on newtonial carrier concentrated slurries
Authors: Campbell Gregory A. , Zak Michael E. , Radhakrishnan Jayaprakash S.
Published: April 2016

A new theory that predicts the power law “n” for Newtonian carrier particulate composites has been developed using percolation theory concepts. Many polymer composites, such as sheet molding compound, polyurethanes based on polymer‐polyols, and highly filled epoxy compounds, are generated using highly filled Newtonian carriers. Essentially, all of slurries that have a high concentration of filler become shear thinning at some shear rate. Several sizes of calcium carbonate were initially investigated because of their extensive use in many industries as fillers. A new function was found that linearly correlates the power law constant, n, to the concentration of the filler above the percolation concentration. The behavior of this function suggests that the Newtonian to power law behavior may be dominated by percolation processes. A new percolation theory based model was developed that theoretically predicted the power law from the volume of the nondissipating clusters. A theory is proposed that relates the plug volume in tube flow to the power law, n. The central plug in tube flow was experimentally shown to be a nondissipating volume in the flowing slurry. Data were taken in Poiseuille flow that correlates the power law, n, calculated in the classical manner using pressure drop along the tube with the power law, n, calculated from the percolation‐based theory. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1172–1191, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
High‐mobility flexible thin‐film transistors with a low‐temperature zirconium‐doped indium oxide channel layer
Authors: Xiao Peng , Dong Ting , Lan Linfeng , Lin Zhenguo , Song Wei , Song Erlong , Sun Sheng , Li Yuzhi , Gao Peixiong , Luo Dongxiang , Xu Miao , Peng Junbiao
Published: April 2016

Thin film transistors (TFTs) with zirconium‐doped indium oxide (ZrInO) channel layer were successfully fabricated on a flexible PEN substrate with process temperature of only 150 °C. The flexible ZrInO TFT exhibited excellent electrical performance with a saturation mobility of as high as 22.6 cm2 V–1 s–1, a sub‐threshold swing of 0.39 V/decade and an on/off current ratio of 2.5 × 107. The threshold voltage shifts were 1.89 V and −1.56 V for the unpassivated flexible ZrInO TFT under positive and negative gate bias stress, respectively. In addition, the flexible ZrInO TFT was able to maintain the relatively stable performance at bending curvatures larger than 20 mm, but the off current increased apparently after bent at 10 mm. Detailed studies showed that Zr had an effect of suppress the free carrier generation without seriously distorting the In2O3 lattice. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Integrative Self‐Sorting in a Three Component System Leading to Formation of Long Fibrous Structures
Authors: Nayak Nagaraj , Gopidas Karical R.
Published: April 2016

In this paper we report the integrative self‐sorting processes in a three‐component system consisting of β‐CD, a bis‐adamantane derivative AD‐AD and a bis‐pyromellitic diimide derivative PI‐PI in a 2:1:1 ratio, leading to the slow evolution of long fibers. Using TEM, AFM and time‐dependent ICD measurements of the three‐component system and the constituent two‐component systems (β‐CD/AD‐AD and β‐CD/PI‐PI), involvement of two social self‐sorting and two narcissistic self‐sorting processes, which led to the evolution of the long fibers, were identified. Initially a bis‐inclusion complex of β‐CD and AD‐AD is formed through a social self‐sorting process. The bis‐inclusion complex undergoes a narcissistic self‐assembly to give vesicles. The key step in the integrative self‐sorting is binding of PI‐PI to the vesicle surface through rim‐binding association. The rim‐binding motif is effectively exploited herein to perform the functions of vesicle recognition, and vesicle joining.
Scaffolding of Cystine‐Stabilized Miniproteins
Authors: Sankaran Shrikrishnan , Stojanovic Ivan , Barendregt Arjan , Heck Albert J.R. , Schasfoort Richard B.M. , Jonkheijm Pascal
Published: April 2016

Biomolecular scaffolds were engineered by genetically fusing robust miniproteins in a sequence, like a chain. By fusing these miniprotein chains to a teal fluorescent protein (TFP), an efficient strategy was devised for their production in E. coli. Miniproteins that bind β‐trypsin, VEGF and HIV‐1 Nef proteins were used to make 4 individual chains, each with 3 miniproteins arranged in different orders. Their stability and binding properties were analyzed with native ESI‐mass spectrometry, microscale thermophoresis, surface plasmon resonance imaging and a trypsin activity assay. Miniproteins within the chains were found to be functional and significantly robust. The trypsin activity assay showed that miniprotein chains containing two β‐trypsin inhibitors clearly inhibit β‐trypsin more than two fold stronger compared to chains containing only one β‐trypsin inhibitor indicating that multivalent interactions occurs. SPR imaging results indicated that these constructs had the potential to simultaneously bind multiple target proteins. However, each miniprotein chain exhibited different binding affinities towards the target proteins, especially VEGF and HIV‐1 Nef possibly due to issues dealing with folding, miniprotein orientations, non‐specific adhesion and slow proteolytic degradation of the miniproteins. Analysis of these issues provided insights into parameters that need to be taken into consideration while designing such multi‐specific protein constructs. By careful optimization, such constructs have the potential to be used in a very versatile manner for various molecular engineering applications.
Electrophysiology of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion: First evidence for the role of synapse in ischemic tolerance
Authors: Haghani Masoud , Keshavarz Somaye , Nazari Maryam , Rafati Ali
Published: April 2016

Objective: The subthreshold brain‐damaging stimulus may protect the brain from subsequent ischemia; this phenomenon has been named “ischemic tolerance” (IT). We focused on the synaptic properties of the neurons after mild and severe ischemia to determine the association between IT and synaptic efficacy. Experimental design: Adult male rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups including control, sham, permanent ischemia (pI/R), and mild ischemia (mI/R). Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method was applied to induce brain ischemia. Seven days after the insult, long‐term potentiation (LTP) induced by high‐frequency stimulation (HFS) and paired‐pulse ratio (PPR) were monitored before and after the HFS delivery. Results: The field potential recording demonstrated that mild ischemia significantly increased the basal synaptic transmission. Additionally, the HFS produced a significant potentiation compared to its baseline level in the mI/R group. Moreover, mild ischemia prevented depression of PPR by HFS. This effect was accompanied by a significant increase in the normalized PPR (PPR after HFS/PPR before HFS) in this group. Conclusions: Our data indicated that a mild reduction in brain perfusion without permanent lesion can dramatically increase the basal synaptic transmission. This effect may be associated with an increase in the neurotransmitter content of the pre‐synaptic neurons. This hypothesis could provide a new insight into the relationship between IT and synaptic efficacy. Synapse 70:351–360, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intraneuronal aggregation of the β-CTF fragment of APP (C99) induces Aβ-independent lysosomal-autophagic pathology
Authors: Lauritzen Inger , Pardossi-Piquard Raphaëlle , Bourgeois Alexandre , Pagnotta Sophie , Biferi Maria-Grazia , Barkats Martine , Lacor Pascale , Klein William , Bauer Charlotte , Checler Frederic
Published: April 2016

Endosomal-autophagic-lysosomal (EAL) dysfunction is an early and prominent neuropathological feature of Alzheimers’s disease, yet the exact molecular mechanisms contributing to this pathology remain undefined. By combined biochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural approaches, we demonstrate a link between EAL pathology and the intraneuronal accumulation of the β-secretase-derived βAPP fragment (C99) in two in vivo models, 3xTgAD mice and adeno-associated viral-mediated C99-infected mice. We present a pathological loop in which the accumulation of C99 is both the effect and causality of impaired lysosomal-autophagic function. The deleterious effect of C99 was found to be linked to its aggregation within EAL-vesicle membranes leading to disrupted lysosomal proteolysis and autophagic impairment. This effect was Aβ independent and was even exacerbated when γ-secretase was pharmacologically inhibited. No effect was observed in inhibitor-treated wild-type animals suggesting that lysosomal dysfunction was indeed directly linked to C99 accumulation. In some brain areas, strong C99 expression also led to inflammatory responses and synaptic dysfunction. Taken together, this work demonstrates a toxic effect of C99 which could underlie some of the early-stage anatomical hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Our work also proposes molecular mechanisms likely explaining some of the unfavorable side-effects associated with γ-secretase inhibitor-directed therapies.
The Third Pillar of the Basel Accord: Evidence of borrower discipline in the Kyrgyz banking system
Authors: Tovar-García Edgar Demetrio , Kozubekova Ruslana
Published: April 2016

We empirically study the asset side of market discipline in the banking system of the Kyrgyz Republic, examining whether borrowers are willing to pay higher interest rates to high-quality banks. Based on dynamic panel models and a dataset with bank information from 23 banks over the period 2010–2012, our findings suggest the presence of market discipline induced by borrowers. In other words, banks with higher capital ratios and liquidity charge higher interest rates on loans. This result has several implications for the banking policy in Kyrgyzstan, where we can recommend to policymakers a disclosure policy following the Third Pillar of Basel III, because not only can the bank's creditors use bank information to penalize the excessive bank risk, but borrowers can also use this information to discipline their banks.
Similarity Estimation Between DNA Sequences Based on Local Pattern Histograms of Binary Images
Authors: Kobori Yusei , Mizuta Satoshi
Published: April 2016

Graphical representation of DNA sequences is one of the most popular techniques for alignment-free sequence comparison. Here, we propose a new method for the feature extraction of DNA sequences represented by binary images, by estimating the similarity between DNA sequences using the frequency histograms of local bitmap patterns of images. Our method shows linear time complexity for the length of DNA sequences, which is practical even when long sequences, such as whole genome sequences, are compared. We tested five distance measures for the estimation of sequence similarities, and found that the histogram intersection and Manhattan distance are the most appropriate ones for phylogenetic analyses.
A framework for similarity recognition of CAD models
Authors: Zehtaban Leila , Elazhary Omar , Roller Dieter
Published: April 2016

A designer is mainly supported by two essential factors in design decisions. These two factors are intelligence and experience aiding the designer by predicting the interconnection between the required design parameters. Through classification of product data and similarity recognition between new and existing designs, it is partially possible to replace the required experience for an inexperienced designer. Given this context, the current paper addresses a framework for recognition and flexible retrieval of similar models in product design. The idea is to establish an infrastructure for transferring design as well as the required PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) know-how to the design phase of product development in order to reduce the design time. Furthermore, such a method can be applied as a brainstorming method for a new and creative product development as well. The proposed framework has been tested and benchmarked while showing promising results.

Highlights Developing a knowledge-based framework to assist the designer in design decisions. Opitz feature recognition and code generation from STEP for data standardization. An efficient similarity recognition algorithm to retrieve models from database.
Determining an optimal hierarchical forecasting model based on the characteristics of the data set: Technical note
Authors: Nenova Zlatana D. , May Jerrold H.
Published: April 2016

The efficient flow of goods and services involves addressing multilevel forecast questions, and careful consideration when aggregating or disaggregating hierarchical estimates. Assessing all possible aggregation alternatives helps to determine the statistically most accurate way of consolidating multilevel forecasts. However, doing so in a multilevel and multiproduct supply chain may prove to be a very computationally intensive and time‐consuming task. In this paper, we present a new, two‐level oblique linear discriminant tree model, which identifies the optimal hierarchical forecast technique for a given hierarchical database in a very time‐efficient manner. We induced our model from a real‐world dataset, and it separates all historical time series into the four aggregation mechanisms considered. The separation process is a function of both the positive and negative correlation groups' variances at the lowest level of the hierarchical datasets. Our primary contributions are: (1) establishing a clear‐cut relationship between the correlation metrics at the lowest level of the hierarchy and the optimal aggregation mechanism for a product/service hierarchy, and (2) developing an analytical model for personalized forecast aggregation decisions, based on characteristics of a hierarchical dataset.
Repression and Activism among the Arab Spring’s First Movers: Evidence from Morocco’s February 20th Movement
Authors: Lawrence Adria K.
Published: April 2016

Why are some people willing to initiate protest against authoritarian regimes? How does repression affect their willingness to act? Drawing on data from the Arab Spring protests in Morocco, this article argues first that activism is passed down from one generation to the next: first movers often came from families that had been punished for opposing the regime in the past. Secondly, repression during the Arab Spring was also counterproductive: those connected to first movers via Facebook supported renewed pro-democracy protests when informed of the regime’s use of repression in 2011. A regime that jails and beats political dissidents creates incentives for its citizens to oppose it; these abuses can come back to haunt the regime long after repression occurs.
What Causes Long-Term North Atlantic Surface Temperature Cycles?
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: April 2016

New evidence strengthens a likely link between 20- to 40-year sea surface temperature fluctuations and varying ocean circulation patterns.
Erratum: Oxygen depletion recorded in upper waters of the glacial Southern Ocean
Authors: Lu Zunli , Hoogakker Babette A. A. , Hillenbrand Claus-Dieter , Zhou Xiaoli , Thomas Ellen , Gutchness Kristina M. , Lu Wanyi , Jones Luke , Rickaby Rosalind E. M.
Published: April 2016

Nature Communications 7: Article number: 11146 (2016); Published: 31 March 2016; Updated: 26 April 2016 In Fig. 3 of this Article, data in panel ‘a’ were inadvertently partially obscured during the production process. The correct version of Fig. 3 now appears in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Schizophrenia interactome with 504 novel protein–protein interactions
Authors: Ganapathiraju Madhavi K , Thahir Mohamed , Handen Adam , Sarkar Saumendra N , Sweet Robert A , Nimgaonkar Vishwajit L , Loscher Christine E , Bauer Eileen M , Chaparala Srilakshmi
Published: April 2016

Genome-wide association studies of schizophrenia (GWAS) have revealed the role of rare and common genetic variants, but the functional effects of the risk variants remain to be understood. Protein interactome-based studies can facilitate the study of molecular mechanisms by which the risk genes relate to schizophrenia (SZ) genesis, but protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are unknown for many of the liability genes. We developed a computational model to discover PPIs, which is found to be highly accurate according to computational evaluations and experimental validations of selected PPIs. We present here, 365 novel PPIs of liability genes identified by the SZ Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC). Seventeen genes that had no previously known interactions have 57 novel interactions by our method. Among the new interactors are 19 drug targets that are targeted by 130 drugs. In addition, we computed 147 novel PPIs of 25 candidate genes investigated in the pre-GWAS era. While there is little overlap between the GWAS genes and the pre-GWAS genes, the interactomes reveal that they largely belong to the same pathways, thus reconciling the apparent disparities between the GWAS and prior gene association studies. The interactome including 504 novel PPIs overall, could motivate other systems biology studies and trials with repurposed drugs. The PPIs are made available on a webserver, called Schizo-Pi at http://severus.dbmi.pitt.edu/schizo-pi with advanced search capabilities.
The transcriptomics of an experimentally evolved plant-virus interaction
Authors: Hillung Julia , García-García Francisco , Dopazo Joaquín , Cuevas José M. , Elena Santiago F.
Published: April 2016

Models of plant-virus interaction assume that the ability of a virus to infect a host genotype depends on the matching between virulence and resistance genes. Recently, we evolved tobacco etch potyvirus (TEV) lineages on different ecotypes ofArabidopsis thaliana, and found that some ecotypes selected for specialist viruses whereas others selected for generalists. Here we sought to evaluate the transcriptomic basis of such relationships. We have characterized the transcriptomic responses of five ecotypes infected with the ancestral and evolved viruses. Genes and functional categories differentially expressed by plants infected with local TEV isolates were identified, showing heterogeneous responses among ecotypes, although significant parallelism existed among lineages evolved in the same ecotype. Although genes involved in immune responses were altered upon infection, other functional groups were also pervasively over-represented, suggesting that plant resistance genes were not the only drivers of viral adaptation. Finally, the transcriptomic consequences of infection with the generalist and specialist lineages were compared. Whilst the generalist induced very similar perturbations in the transcriptomes of the different ecotypes, the perturbations induced by the specialist were divergent. Plant defense mechanisms were activated when the infecting virus was specialist but they were down-regulated when infecting with generalist.
Comparative study on the spectral properties of boron clusters Bn0/−1(n = 38–40)
Authors: Li Shixiong , Zhang Zhengping , Long Zhengwen , Sun Guangyu , Qin Shuijie
Published: April 2016

The all-boron fullerenes B40−1 and B39−1 discovered in recent experiments are characterized and revealed using photoelectron spectroscopy. Except for the photoelectron spectroscopy, one may identify such boron clusters with other spectroscopic techniques, such as infrared spectra and Raman spectra. Insight into the spectral properties of boron clusters is important to understand the boron clusters and find their potential applications. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations are carried out to comparatively study the vibrational frequencies, infrared spectra, Raman spectra and electronic absorption spectra of boron clusters Bn0/−1(n = 38–40). The numerical simulations show that such boron clusters have different and meaningful spectral features. These spectral features are readily compared with future spectroscopy measurements and can be used as fingerprints to distinguish the boron clusters Bn0/−1 with different structures (cage structure or quasi-planar structure) and with different sizes (n = 38–40).
Rigorous Approach for Design of Differential Coupled-Line Directional Couplers Applicable in Integrated Circuits and Substrate-Embedded Networks
Authors: Staszek Kamil , Wincza Krzysztof , Gruszczynski Slawomir
Published: April 2016

We report rigorous approach for the design of differential coupled-line directional couplers in multilayer dielectric structures. In the proposed procedure numerically calculated per-unit-length parameters of coupled transmission lines are utilized for derivation of differential couplers’ properties. The known description technique with multimode scattering parameters has been extended to the eight-ports considered in the paper and the properties resulting from symmetry of the considered networks have been shown. Exemplary 3-dB and 8-dB coupled-line directional couplers have been designed and experimentally evaluated. Nodal to mixed-mode conversion of scattering parameters has been applied to allow for measurements of the physically realized models. Results of measurements are shown to confirm the presented theoretical considerations.
Neural mechanisms to predict subjective level of fatigue in the future: a magnetoencephalography study
Authors: Ishii Akira , Tanaka Masaaki , Watanabe Yasuyoshi
Published: April 2016

Fatigue is a major contributor to workplace accidents, morbidity and mortality. To prevent the disruption of homeostasis and to concurrently accomplish an assigned workload, it is essential to control the level of workload based on the subjective estimation of the level of fatigue that will be experienced in the near future. In this study, we aimed to clarify the neural mechanisms related to predicting subjective levels of fatigue that would be experienced 60 min later, using magnetoencephalography. Sixteen healthy male volunteers participated in this study. In relation to the prediction, a decrease of alpha band power in the right Brodmann’s area (BA) 40 and BA 9 at 1200 to 1350 ms and that in the right BA 9 at 1350 to 1500 ms and a decrease of gamma band power in the right BA 10 at 1500 to 1650 ms were observed. In addition, the decreased level of alpha band power in BA 9 at 1200 to 1350 ms was positively associated with the daily level of fatigue. These findings may help increase our understanding of the neural mechanisms activated to indicate the need to take a rest based on the prediction of the subjective fatigue in the future.
A dynamic interaction process between KaiA and KaiC is critical to the cyanobacterial circadian oscillator
Authors: Dong Pei , Fan Ying , Sun Jianqiang , Lv Mengting , Yi Ming , Tan Xiao , Liu Sen
Published: April 2016

The core circadian oscillator of cyanobacteria consists of three proteins, KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC. This circadian oscillator could be functionally reconstituted in vitro with these three proteins, and therefore has been a very important model in circadian rhythm research. KaiA can bind to KaiC and then stimulate its phosphorylation, but their interaction mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we followed the “second-site suppressor” strategy to investigate the interaction mechanism of KaiA and KaiC. Using protein sequence analyses, we showed that there exist co-varying residues in the binding interface of KaiA and KaiC. The followed mutagenesis study verified that these residues are important to the functions of KaiA and KaiC, but their roles could not be fully explained by the reported complex structures of KaiA and KaiC derived peptides. Combining our data with previous reports, we suggested a dynamic interaction mechanism in KaiA-KaiC interaction, in which both KaiA and the intrinsically disordered tail of KaiC undergo significant structural changes through conformational selection and induced fit during the binding process. At last, we presented a mathematic model to support this hypothesis and explained the importance of this interaction mechanism for the KaiABC circadian oscillator.
Preparation of Nickel Cobalt Sulfide Hollow Nanocolloids with Enhanced Electrochemical Property for Supercapacitors Application
Authors: Chen Zhenhua , Wan Zhanghui , Yang Tiezhu , Zhao Mengen , Lv Xinyan , Wang Hao , Ren Xiuli , Mei Xifan
Published: April 2016

Nanostructured functional materials with hollow interiors are considered to be good candidates for a variety of advanced applications. However, synthesis of uniform hollow nanocolloids with porous texture via wet chemistry method is still challenging. In this work, nickel cobalt precursors (NCP) in sub-micron sized spheres have been synthesized by a facile solvothermal method. The subsequent sulfurization process in hydrothermal system has changed the NCP to nickel cobalt sulfide (NCS) with porous texture. Importantly, the hollow interiors can be tuned through the sulfurization process by employing different dosage of sulfur source. The derived NCS products have been fabricated into supercapacitor electrodes and their electrochemical performances are measured and compared, where promising results were found for the next-generation high-performance electrochemical capacitors.
Dissociating the therapeutic effects of environmental enrichment and exercise in a mouse model of anxiety with cognitive impairment
Authors: Rogers J , Vo U , Buret LS , Pang TY , Meiklejohn H , Zeleznikow-Johnston A , Churilov L , van den Buuse M , Hannan AJ , Renoir T
Published: April 2016

Clinical evidence indicates that serotonin-1A receptor (5-HT1AR) gene polymorphisms are associated with anxiety disorders and deficits in cognition. In animal models, exercise (Ex) and environmental enrichment (EE) can change emotionality-related behaviours, as well as enhance some aspects of cognition and hippocampal neurogenesis. We investigated the effects of Ex and EE (which does not include running wheels) on cognition and anxiety-like behaviours in wild-type (WT) and 5-HT1AR knock-out (KO) mice. Using an algorithm-based classification of search strategies in the Morris water maze, we report for we believe the first time that Ex increased the odds for mice to select more hippocampal-dependent strategies. In the retention probe test, Ex (but not EE) corrected long-term spatial memory deficits displayed by KO mice. In agreement with these findings, only Ex increased hippocampal cell survival and BDNF protein levels. However, only EE (but not Ex) modified anxiety-like behaviours, demonstrating dissociation between improvements in cognition and innate anxiety. EE enhanced hippocampal cell proliferation in WT mice only, suggesting a crucial role for intact serotonergic signalling in mediating this effect. Together, these results demonstrate differential effects of Ex vs EE in a mouse model of anxiety with cognitive impairment. Overall, the 5-HT1AR does not seem to be critical for those behavioural effects to occur. These findings will have implications for our understanding of how Ex and EE enhance experience-dependent plasticity, as well as their differential impacts on anxiety and cognition.
Water quality assessment of a small peri-urban river using low and high frequency monitoring
Authors: Ivanovsky A. , Criquet J. , Dumoulin D. , Alary C. , Prygiel J. , Duponchel L. , Billon G.
Published: April 2016

The biogeochemical behaviors of small rivers that pass through suburban areas are difficult to understand because of the multi-origin inputs that can modify their behavior.
Screening-level models to estimate partition ratios of organic chemicals between polymeric materials, air and water
Authors: Reppas-Chrysovitsinos Efstathios , Sobek Anna , MacLeod Matthew
Published: April 2016

In screening applications, partitioning of organic chemicals to polymeric materials can be modeled assuming the material is 6% octanol.
pH dependent supramolecular recognition of dapoxyl sodium sulfonate with 2-hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin: an application towards food-additive formulation
Authors: Pal Kaushik , Chandra Falguni , Mallick Suman , Koner Apurba L.
Published: April 2016

pH dependent host–guest complexation of dapoxyl sodium sulfonate (DSS), an intramolecular charge transfer dye, with 2-hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) has been investigated.
Copper(ii) complexes with phosphorylated 1,10-phenanthrolines: from molecules to infinite supramolecular arrays
Authors: Mitrofanov Alexander Yu. , Rousselin Yoann , Guilard Roger , Brandès Stéphane , Bessmertnykh-Lemeune Alla G. , Uvarova Marina A. , Nefedov Sergey E.
Published: April 2016

Supramolecular architectures based on copper(ii) complexes with diethoxyphosphoryl substituted 1,10-phenanthrolines are reported.
Growth of strontium hydrogen phosphate/gelatin composites: a biomimetic approach
Authors: Gashti Mazeyar Parvinzadeh , Stir Manuela , Hulliger Jürg
Published: April 2016

Our study has focused on the crystal growth of strontium phosphatesviagel growth method due to the bioactivity and biocompatibility of these materials with bone tissue.
SERS detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using a bare gold nanoparticles coupled film system
Authors: Gu Hai-Xin , Hu Kai , Li Da-Wei , Long Yi-Tao
Published: April 2016

A facile approach based on a bare gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) coupled film system as the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate was developed for the effective detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Sensitive electrochemical detection of nitric oxide based on AuPt and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites
Authors: Liu Zhonggang , Forsyth Heidi , Khaper Neelam , Chen Aicheng
Published: April 2016

A high-performance electrochemical sensor with AuPt nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites is demonstrated for the effective detection of NO.
Electrochromic sensing platform based on steric hindrance effects for CEA detection
Authors: Zhai Qingfeng , Zhang Xiaowei , Xia Yong , Li Jing , Wang Erkang
Published: April 2016

In this work, an electrochromic sensing platform with prussian blue (PB) as the indicator was proposed for signaling carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) using the bipolar electrode (BPE) system.
Highly stable, luminescent core–shell type methylammonium–octylammonium lead bromide layered perovskite nanoparticles
Authors: Bhaumik Saikat , Veldhuis Sjoerd A. , Ng Yan Fong , Li Mingjie , Muduli Subas Kumar , Sum Tze Chien , Damodaran Bahulayan , Mhaisalkar Subodh , Mathews Nripan
Published: April 2016

Perovskite–perovskite core–shell type nanoparticles with a high photoluminescence quantum yield and long term ambient stability.
An N-sulfanylethylanilide-based traceable linker for enrichment and selective labelling of target proteins
Authors: Morisaki Takuya , Denda Masaya , Yamamoto Jun , Tsuji Daisuke , Inokuma Tsubasa , Itoh Kohji , Shigenaga Akira , Otaka Akira
Published: April 2016

An N-sulfanylethylanilide (SEAlide)-based traceable linker has been developed for the identification of the target proteins of bioactive compounds.
Design of a novel microtubule targeted peptide vesicle for delivering different anticancer drugs
Authors: Adak Anindyasundar , Mohapatra Saswat , Mondal Prasenjit , Jana Batakrishna , Ghosh Surajit
Published: April 2016

A novel microtubule targeted peptide vesicle has been designed and developed for delivering both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. It delivers both the drugs close to their intracellular targets, shows significant anticancer effect in both 2D monolayer and 3D spheroid cells.
Metallocene to metallocene conversion. Synthesis of an oxazoline-substituted pentamethyliridocenium cation from a ferrocenyloxazoline
Authors: Arthurs Ross A. , Horton Peter N. , Coles Simon J. , Richards Christopher J.
Published: April 2016

A novel metallocene to metallocene conversion is reported in which an air-stable oxazoline-substituted ferrocene is converted into an air-stable oxazoline-substituted iridocenium ion.
Furosemide's one little hydrogen atom: NMR crystallography structure verification of powdered molecular organics
Authors: Widdifield Cory M. , Robson Harry , Hodgkinson Paul
Published: April 2016

The potential of NMR crystallography to verify molecular crystal structures deposited in structural databases is evaluated, with two structures of the pharmaceutical furosemide serving as examples.
Understanding surface reactivity of Si electrodes in Li-ion batteries by in operando scanning electrochemical microscopy
Authors: Ventosa E. , Wilde P. , Zinn A.-H. , Trautmann M. , Ludwig A. , Schuhmann W.
Published: April 2016

In operando SECM is employed to monitor the evolution of the electrically insulating character of a Si electrode surface during (de-)lithiation.
Controllable synthesis of Cu–Ni core–shell nanoparticles and nanowires with tunable magnetic properties
Authors: Guo Huizhang , Jin Jiarui , Chen Yuanzhi , Liu Xiang , Zeng Deqian , Wang Laisen , Peng Dong-Liang
Published: April 2016

The controlled epitaxial growth of Ni shells on Cu cores provided selectively exposed surfaces and morphologies and tunable magnetic properties.
Non-linear photoelectron effect contributes to the formation of negative matrix ions in UV-MALDI
Authors: Alonso E. , Zenobi R.
Published: April 2016

The mechanism of negative ion formation in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is less well understood than that of positive ions: electron capture, disproportionation, and liberation of negatively charged sample molecules or clusters have been proposed to produce the initial anions in MALDI.
Highly efficient and ultrastable visible-light photocatalytic water splitting over ReS2
Authors: Liu Huimei , Xu Bo , Liu J.-M. , Yin Jiang , Miao Feng , Duan Chun-Gang , Wan X. G.
Published: April 2016

ReS2is a stable and efficient photocatalyst with potential applications in the use of solar energy for water splitting.
Efficient ambipolar transport properties in alternate stacking donor–acceptor complexes: from experiment to theory
Authors: Qin Yunke , Cheng Changli , Geng Hua , Wang Chao , Hu Wenping , Xu Wei , Shuai Zhigang , Zhu Daoben
Published: April 2016

Comprehensive investigations of crystal structures, electrical transport properties and theoretical simulations have been performed over a series of donor–acceptor complexes.
The conformational space of the neurotransmitter serotonin: how the rotation of a hydroxyl group changes all
Authors: Wilke Martin , Brand Christian , Wilke Josefin , Schmitt Michael
Published: April 2016

Serotonin shows a conformer-dependent competition of two polar groups to establish a hydrogen bond with the same H-atom.
Degradation of nano-scale cathodes: a new paradigm for selecting low-temperature solid oxide cell materials
Authors: Call Ann V. , Railsback Justin G. , Wang Hongqian , Barnett Scott A.
Published: April 2016

This study develops a model relating nanoparticle coarsening to electrochemical behavior in infiltrated solid oxide cell electrodes. Criteria for an electrode achieving both a sufficiently low polarization resistance and degradation rate is presented along with a new figure of merit.
Synthesis and structural characterisation of transition metal fluoride sulfates
Authors: Marshall Kayleigh L. , Wang Qianlong , Sullivan Hannah S. I. , Weller Mark T.
Published: April 2016

Eleven new transition metal fluorosulfate structures have been synthesised and structurally characterised. These materials show a variety of polyanionic motifs ranging from discrete [TiF4(SO4)2]4− polyanions (right) to complex layers.
Techno-economic investigation of a chemical looping combustion based power plant
Authors: Porrazzo Rosario , White Graeme , Ocone Raffaella
Published: April 2016

Among the well-known state-of-the-art technologies for CO2capture, Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) stands out for its potential to capture CO2efficiently from a fuel power plant. CLC involves the combustion of carbonaceous fuel such as coal-derived syngas or natural gasviaa redox chemical reaction with a solid oxygen carrier circulating between two fluidised beds. Avoided NOxemissions, high CO2capture and thermal efficiency are the key concepts that make worth the investigation of this technology. One of the main issues about CLC might concern the impact of the solid metal oxides price and lifetime on the Levelised Cost Of the Electricity (LCOE). A natural gas fired power plant embedding a CLC unit is presented in this work. Detailed fluidised bed models are implemented in Aspen Plus software. Kinetics and hydrodynamics are taken into account to evaluate their effect on the total solid inventory required for full fuel conversion. The models are incorporated into a power plant and a detailed economic evaluation is undertaken by varying two relevant parameters: fuel price and lifetime of the solid particles. The effect of these parameters on the LCOE is investigated and a comparison between CLC and a post-combustion technology employing amines (e.g.monoethanolamine, MEA) is presented. It is shown that the CLC power plant under study leads to a lower LCOE compared to the current MEA post-combustion solution.
Evidence for a hopping mechanism in metal|single molecule|metal junctions involving conjugated metal–terpyridyl complexes; potential-dependent conductances of complexes [M(pyterpy)2]2+ (M = Co and Fe; pyterpy = 4′-(pyridin-4-yl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine) in ionic liquid
Authors: Chappell Sarah , Brooke Carly , Nichols Richard J. , Kershaw Cook Laurence J. , Halcrow Malcolm , Ulstrup Jens , Higgins Simon J.
Published: April 2016

Extensive studies of various families of conjugated molecules in metal|molecule|metal junctions suggest that the mechanism of conductance is usually tunnelling for molecular lengths < ca. 4 nm, and that for longer molecules, coherence is lost as a hopping element becomes more significant. In this work we present evidence that, for a family of conjugated, redox-active metal complexes, hopping may be a significant factor for even the shortest molecule studied (ca. 1 nm between contact atoms). The length dependence of conductance for two series of such complexes which differ essentially in the number of conjugated 1,4-C6H4- rings in the structures has been studied, and it is found that the junction conductances vary linearly with molecular length, consistent with a hopping mechanism, whereas there is significant deviation from linearity in plots of log(conductance) vs. length that would be characteristic of tunnelling, and the slopes of the log(conductance)–length plots are much smaller than expected for an oligophenyl system. Moreover, the conductances of molecular junctions involving the redox–active molecules, [M(pyterpy)2]2+/3+ (M = Co, Fe) have been studied as a function of electrochemical potential in ionic liquid electrolyte, and the conductance–overpotential relationship is found to fit well with the Kuznetsov–Ulstrup relationship, which is essentially a hopping description.
Minimally processed foods are more satiating and less hyperglycemic than ultra-processed foods: a preliminary study with 98 ready-to-eat foods
Authors: Fardet Anthony
Published: April 2016

The more foods are processed, the higher the glycemic impact and the less the satiety potential.
A dual-walled cage MOF as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the conversion of CO2 under mild and co-catalyst free conditions
Authors: Han Yun-Hu , Zhou Zhong-Yuan , Tian Chong-Bin , Du Shao-Wu
Published: April 2016

A novel dual-walled cage MOF with a high density of Lewis acid active sites and CO2-philic ligands exhibits excellent CO2 capture and conversion performance under mild and environmentally friendly conditions.
Enhanced solubilization and extraction of hydrophobic bioactive compounds using water/ionic liquid mixtures
Authors: Jin Wenbin , Yang Qiwei , Huang Binbin , Bao Zongbi , Su Baogen , Ren Qilong , Yang Yiwen , Xing Huabin
Published: April 2016

The developed water/LCC-IL (long-chain carboxylate ionic liquid) mixtures exhibited extremely high solubilities for various hydrophobic bioactive compounds (HBCs) and excellent extraction efficiency for tocopherols.
Br isotope determination via the monitoring of CaBr transitions using high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry. Potential for direct determination of Br in solid samples using isotope dilution
Authors: Nakadi F. V. , da Veiga M. A. M. S. , Aramendía M. , García-Ruiz E. , Resano M.
Published: April 2016

This article demonstrates the potential of HR CS GFMAS for providing Br isotopic information, and the benefits of ID for solid sampling.
Investigation of the dynamic nature of 1,2-oxazines derived from peralkylcyclopentadiene and nitrosocarbonyl species
Authors: Kensy Victoria K. , Peterson Gregory I. , Church Derek C. , Yakelis Neal A. , Boydston Andrew J.
Published: April 2016

We have investigated the dynamic nature of 1,2-oxazines, which revealed broad tunability and potential for applications in covalent adaptable materials.
2′-O-Methyl- and 2′-O-propargyl-5-methylisocytidine: synthesis, properties and impact on the isoCd–dG and the isoCd–isoGdbase pairing in nucleic acids with parallel and antiparallel strand orientation
Authors: Jana Sunit K. , Leonard Peter , Ingale Sachin A. , Seela Frank
Published: April 2016

The impact of 2′-O-alkyl residues on the stability of iCd–dG and iCd–iGdbase pairs was studied in DNA with parallel and antiparallel chain orientation.
Synthetic applications of pseudocyclic hypervalent iodine compounds
Authors: Yoshimura Akira , Yusubov Mekhman S. , Zhdankin Viktor V.
Published: April 2016

In this review the preparation and structural features of pseudocyclic iodine(iii) and iodine(v) derivatives are discussed, and recent developments in their synthetic applications are summarized.
Graphene aerogel-supported and graphene quantum dots-modified γ-MnOOH nanotubes as a highly efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Liu Yisi , Li Wenzhang , Li Jie , Shen Haibo , Li Yaomin , Guo Yang
Published: April 2016

In this work, we demonstrate a facile strategy to synthesize a novel three-dimensional (3D) graphene aerogel-supported and graphene quantum dots-modified γ-MnOOH nanotubes as a highly efficient electrocatalyst.
Replacement of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene by two eutectics formed between 4-amino-1,2,4-triazolium nitrate and 4-amino-1,2,4-triazolium perchlorate
Authors: Wang Zhen , Zhang Jian-Guo , Wu Jin-Ting , Yin Xin , Zhang Tong-Lai
Published: April 2016

Mixtures of 4-ATN and 4-ATP were submitted to DSC and a binary phase diagram was constructed by using DSC data.
Efficient perovskite solar cell fabricated in ambient air using one-step spin-coating
Authors: Wang Gang , Liu Debei , Xiang Jin , Zhou Dachen , Alameh Kamal , Ding Baofu , Song Qunliang
Published: April 2016

The higher film coverage and better device performance is achieved for film spin-coated in air and then annealed in vacuum.
Factors affecting oxygen evolution through water oxidation on polycrystalline titanium dioxide
Authors: Nishimoto Yuuya , Hasegawa Yuichi , Adachi Kenta , Yamazaki Suzuko
Published: April 2016

A linear correlation between crystallite size and O2evolution rate was obtained, due to the efficient spatial separation of photogenerated carriers.
Ternary Pt@Pd@Ru nanodendrite-decorated graphene oxide for sensitive electrochemical immunoassy of CEA
Authors: Mu Zonggang , Jiao Lei , Wei Qin , Li He
Published: April 2016

Nobel metal nanoparticles have attracted intense attentions in biological immunoassay due to the inhereted good catalytic activity.
Experimental determination and analysis of gold nanorod settlement by differential centrifugal sedimentation
Authors: Wang Ruimin , Ji Yinglu , Wu Xiaochun , Liu Renxiao , Chen Lan , Ge Guanglu
Published: April 2016

Direct measurement of the sedimentation coefficients of gold nanorods with a controlled shape factor was performed using differential centrifugal sedimentation (DCS).
1,8-Cineole potentiates IRF3-mediated antiviral response in human stem cells and in an ex vivo model of rhinosinusitis
Authors: Müller Janine , Greiner Johannes F.W. , Zeuner Marie , Brotzmann Viktoria , Schäfermann Johanna , Wieters Frederique , Widera Darius , Sudhoff Holger , Kaltschmidt Barbara , Kaltschmidt Christian
Published: April 2016

The common cold is one of the most frequent human inflammatory diseases caused by viruses and can facilitate bacterial superinfections, resulting in sinusitis or pneumonia. The active ingredient of the drug Soledum, 1,8-cineole, is commonly applied for treating inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. However, the potential for 1,8-cineole to treat primary viral infections of the respiratory tract remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time that 1,8-cineole potentiates poly(I:C)-induced activity of the antiviral transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), while simultaneously reducing proinflammatory nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity in human cell lines, inferior turbinate stem cells (ITSCs) and in ex vivo cultivated human nasal mucosa. Co-treatment of cell lines with poly(I:C) and 1,8-cineole resulted in significantly increased IRF3 reporter gene activity compared with poly(I:C) alone, whereas NF-κB activity was reduced. Accordingly, 1,8-cineole- and poly(I:C) treatment led to increased nuclear translocation of IRF3 in ITSCs and a human ex vivo model of rhinosinusitis compared with the poly(I:C) treatment approach. Nuclear translocation of IRF3 was significantly increased in ITSCs and slice cultures treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 1,8-cineole compared with the LPS-treated cells mimicking bacterial infection. Our findings strongly suggest that 1,8-cineole potentiates the antiviral activity of IRF3 in addition to its inhibitory effect on proinflammatory NF-κB signalling, and may thus broaden its field of application.
Editor's Column: A Reflection on Studies Using Retrospective Record Review
Authors: Wilkinson Krista
Published: April 2016

Purpose

In this column, the Editor of the
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
reflects on the value of retrospective record review and considers the design elements that contribute to sound methodology in this format.
Positive Outcomes for Speech Telepractice as Evidence for Reimbursement Policy Change
Authors: Short Lori , Rea Tiffany , Houston Beki , Scott Sonya , Forducey Pamela
Published: April 2016

Oklahoma has a large population living in rural areas where it is difficult to fill school speech-language pathologist (SLP) positions. To meet this need, telepractice has been used in rural Oklahoma school districts since 1999. Medicaid policies have allowed schools to receive reimbursement for speech therapy provided by onsite therapists; however, reimbursement for speech telepractice was excluded. The current project measured the effectiveness of a speech telepractice program so this policy could be revised. Speech and language skills of 578 children, grades PreK–12, were followed over one of two school years and were rated using Functional Communication Measures (FCM) established by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Our data show that 67–87% of the children advanced by one or more levels on three common FCM scales. These changes are similar to, or greater than, what was reported in a large sample of students compiled by ASHA's National Outcomes Measurement System (NOMS) with clinicians who worked onsite in schools. Average weekly treatment time was also less in our teletherapy practice than what was reported in the reference database. Therefore, the current study demonstrates that speech telepractice is an effective and efficient method of delivery for the school age population.