bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The fluorescence and infrared absorption probe para‐cyanophenylalanine: Effect of labeling on the behavior of different membrane‐interacting peptides
Authors: Bobone Sara , De Zotti Marta , Bortolotti Annalisa , Biondi Barbara , Ballano Gema , Palleschi Antonio , Toniolo Claudio , Formaggio Fernando , Stella Lorenzo
Published: May 2015

Total syntheses and complete characterizations of singly substituted PheCN‐based analogs of alamethicin AlaP, which is active on model and natural membranes, and the TM peptide, which inserts in a transmembrane orientation in lipid bilayers, are reported. The syntheses of the AlaP analogs were performed in solution, while those of TM and its analogs were carried out by solid phase. Using the cyanophenyl fluorescence and infrared (IR) absorption probe, an in‐depth investigation of the self‐association, membrane‐interacting, permeabilizing, and orientation properties of these peptides were conducted. The aromatic residue incorporated induces only a negligible modification to the properties of the parent peptides. The PheCN IR absorption band was located between 2228 and 2230 cm−1 for all peptides, irrespective of the position of labeling. By contrast, as the width of this band varied significantly with the depth of probe insertion in the bilayer, it could represent a good marker of the PheCN position in phospholipid membranes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 104: 521–532, 2015.
Surgical treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the rectum in the era of imatinib
Authors: Wilkinson M J , Fitzgerald J E F , Strauss D C , Hayes A J , Thomas J M , Messiou C , Fisher C , Benson C , Tekkis P P , Judson I
Published: May 2015

Background

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) of the rectum often require radical surgery to achieve complete resection. This study investigated the management and outcome of surgery for rectal GISTs and the role of imatinib.

Methods

A cohort study was undertaken of patients identified from a database at one tertiary sarcoma referral centre over a continuous period, from January 2001 to January 2013.

Results

Over 12 years, 19 patients presented with a primary rectal GIST. Median age was 57 (range 30–77) years. Neoadjuvant imatinib was used in 15 patients, significantly reducing mean tumour size from 7·6 (95 per cent c.i. 6·1 to 9·0) to 4·1 (2·8 to 5·3) cm (P < 0·001). Nine of these patients underwent surgical resection. Imatinib therapy enabled sphincter-preserving surgery to be undertaken in seven patients who would otherwise have required abdominoperineal resection or pelvic exenteration for tumour clearance. Neoadjuvant imatinib treatment also led to a significant reduction in mean(s.d.) tumour mitotic count from 16(16) to 4(9) per 50 high-power fields (P = 0·015). Imatinib was used only as adjuvant treatment in two patients. There were three deaths, all from unrelated causes. Eleven of the 13 patients who underwent resection were alive without evidence of recurrence at latest follow-up, with a median disease-free survival of 38 (range 20–129) months and overall survival of 62 (39–162) months.

Conclusion

The use of neoadjuvant imatinib for rectal GISTs significantly decreased both tumour size and mitotic activity, which permitted less radical sphincter-preserving surgery.
Impacts of invasive fish removal through angling on population characteristics and juvenile growth rate
Authors: Evangelista Charlotte , Britton Robert J. , Cucherousset Julien
Published: May 2015

Exploitation can modify the characteristics of fish populations through the selective harvesting of individuals, with this potentially leading to rapid ecological and evolutionary changes. Despite the well‐known effects of invasive fishes on aquatic ecosystems generally, the potential effects of their selective removal through angling, a strategy commonly used to manage invasive fish, are poorly understood. The aim of this field‐based study was to use the North American pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus as the model species to investigate the consequences of selective removal on their population characteristics and juvenile growth rates across 10 populations in artificial lakes in southern France. We found that the maximal individual mass in populations decreased as removal pressure through angling increased, whereas we did not observed any changes in the maximal individual length in populations as removal pressure increased. Total population abundance did not decrease as removal pressure increased; instead, here was a U‐shaped relationship between removal pressure and the abundance of medium‐bodied individuals. In addition, population biomass had a U‐shaped curve response to removal pressure, implying that invasive fish populations can modulate their characteristics to compensate for the negative effects of selective removals. In addition, individual lengths at age 2 and juvenile growth rates decreased as removal pressure through angling increased, suggesting a shift toward an earlier size at maturity and an overall slower growing phenotype. Therefore, these outputs challenge the efficiency of selective management methods, suggesting the use of more proactive strategies to control invasive populations, and the need to investigate the potential ecological and evolutionary repercussions of nonrandom removal.
Liquid‐crystalline epoxy thermosets as matrices for ordered nanocomposites—a summary of experimental studies
Authors: Mossety‐Leszczak B. , Włodarska M.
Published: May 2015

This work focuses on obtaining ordered liquid crystalline epoxy networks and applying them as matrices for nanofillers. The article summarizes research carried out by us on the synthesis and curing of a series of composites based on liquid crystalline epoxy monomers. The authors experimented with several factors which influence the crosslinking reaction and determined curing conditions which are the most favorable for developing liquid crystalline‐like molecular order in the final products. New results of curing selected mixtures with the addition of anisotropic fillers are also presented. The crosslinking process was followed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements and the morphology of liquid crystalline epoxy resin (LCER) composites was investigated by wide‐angle X‐ray scattering technique (WAXS‐2D). The experiments demonstrated that nanorods only have a small impact on the thermal properties of the composite (e.g., the change ofTgis just about 2°C) as well as structural ones (diffraction images of the plain matrix and the nanocomposite only differ in a single additional reflection near 0.73 nm−1which appears in all the studied matrices containing nanorods). In one case monodomain ordering could be achieved in both the matrix alone and that with the nanofiller, when curing was conducted in the presence of a magnetic field. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:277–286, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Top‐down mass spectrometry of intact membrane protein complexes reveals oligomeric state and sequence information in a single experiment
Authors: Konijnenberg Albert , Bannwarth Ludovic , Yilmaz Duygu , Koçer Armağan , Venien‐Bryan Catherine , Sobott Frank
Published: May 2015

Here we study the intact stoichiometry and top‐down fragmentation behavior of three integral membrane proteins which were natively reconstituted into detergent micelles: the mechano‐sensitive ion channel of large conductance (MscL), the Kirbac potassium channel and the p7 viroporin from the hepatitis C virus. By releasing the proteins under nondenaturing conditions inside the mass spectrometer, we obtained their oligomeric sizes. Increasing the ion activation (collision energy) causes unfolding and subsequent ejection of a highly charged monomer from the membrane protein complexes. Further increase of the ion activation then causes collision‐induced dissociation (CID) of the ejected monomers, with fragments observed which were predominantly found to stem from membrane‐embedded regions. These experiments show how in a single experiment, we can probe the relation between higher‐order structure and protein sequence, by combining the native MS data with fragmentation obtained from top‐down MS.
Silicon‐containing defects in HPHT diamond synthetized in Mg–Si–C system
Authors: Nadolinny Vladimir , Komarovskikh Andrey , Palyanov Yuri , Borzdov Yuri , Kupriyanov Igor , Rakhmanova Mariana , Yuryeva Olga
Published: May 2015

Diamond crystals synthesized in the MgSiC system at high pressure high temperature (HPHT) conditions have been studied by EPR and photoluminescence. In the EPR spectra of the samples, two centers with S = 1 and S = 1/2 were detected along with substitutional nitrogen P1. Investigation of the angular dependence allowed us to establish spin Hamiltonian parameters of these centers, which turned out to be silicon containing centers KUL1 and KUL8, neutral and negatively charged silicon atom in a split‐vacancy configuration, respectively. In the photoluminescence spectra of the diamond crystals there was an intense line at 737 nm corresponding to the (Si‐V)− defect. X‐ray irradiation, as well as UV excitation, led to an increase in relative intensities of P1 and KUL1 EPR signals, at the same time relative intensity of KUL8 decreased. Heat treatment at 773 K led to the recovery of the initial EPR spectrum. Our results confirm the hypothesis that KUL8 center is negatively charged state of Si‐V defect.
Doing Online Surveys: Zum Einsatz in der sozialwissenschaftlichen Raumforschung
Authors: Nadler Robert , Petzold Knut , Schönduwe Diplom-Geograph Schönduwe Diplom-Geograph
Published: May 2015

Empirical social research made use of online surveys since the mid-1990s. However, there is no significant methodological debate about this empirical tool in socio-scientific regional studies. In this paper, we delineate the online survey methodology, their advantages and disadvantages as well as potential contexts of application. Online surveys are useful especially for explorative and experimental quantitative research projects that deal with complex and new socio-spatial phenomena. Based on these observations, we will present practical experience with online survey research from three projects in the field of socio-scientific regional studies. We will focus on questionnaire design, sampling and technical solutions. The results show that particularly for studies on highly mobile social groups online surveys are an appropriate and powerful tool for data collection. Given that mobility and multilocality are more and more characterizing our societies and thus impact spatial structures, we argue that online surveys are underused as a method for the exploration of new trends and phenomena in socio-scientific regional studies. Based on these insights, we present a catalogue of questions that should allow interested regional scientists to evaluate the applicability of online surveys when conceptualizing new research projects.
Polyzentralität in Deutschland – Eine vergleichende Untersuchung für drei Stadtregionen
Authors: Wiegandt Claus-C. , Osterhage Frank , Haunstein Stefan
Published: May 2015

The article takes up the current debate on polycentric urban areas as well as it visualizes the recent patterns of urban development by comparing the three city regions Cologne/Bonn, the eastern Ruhr area and Leipzig/Halle. For this purpose three maps showing the central functional cores, the separation of residential areas and commuting flows are presented and further explained. It shows that the spatial patterns of the three urban regions result from long-term development to which the traditional cores of settlements are still of high importance regarding the city regions. The dissolving of cities towards dispersed urban areas is only visible rudimentarily.
Filling the gap: first confirmed record for the Ophisurus serpens (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the Anatolian coast of the South Aegean Sea
Authors: Filiz Halit , Ateş Celal , Yapici Sercan , Ağdamar Sevan
Published: May 2015

The occurrence of the rare serpent eelOphisurus serpensis reported here for the first time from the Anatolian coasts of the South Aegean Sea. On 5 January 2015, a single specimen with a total length of 121. 2 cm and 363.14 g was collected by seine boat off Gökova Bay, Turkey. This finding shows that its population is expanding southwards, from Izmir to the Anatolian coasts of the Aegean Sea.
Noninvasive Quantification of Cerebral Metabolic Rate for Glucose in Rats Using 18F-FDG PET and Standard Input Function
Authors: Hori Yuki , Ihara Naoki , Teramoto Noboru , Kunimi Masako , Honda Manabu , Kato Koichi , Hanakawa Takashi
Published: May 2015

Measurement of arterial input function (AIF) for quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) studies is technically challenging. The present study aimed to develop a method based on a standard arterial input function (SIF) to estimate input function without blood sampling. We performed 18F-fluolodeoxyglucose studies accompanied by continuous blood sampling for measurement of AIF in 11 rats. Standard arterial input function was calculated by averaging AIFs from eight anesthetized rats, after normalization with body mass (BM) and injected dose (ID). Then, the individual input function was estimated using two types of SIF: (1) SIF calibrated by the individual's BM and ID (estimated individual input function, EIFNS) and (2) SIF calibrated by a single blood sampling as proposed previously (EIF1S). No significant differences in area under the curve (AUC) or cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (CMRGlc) were found across the AIF-, EIFNS-, and EIF1S-based methods using repeated measures analysis of variance. In the correlation analysis, AUC or CMRGlc derived from EIFNS was highly correlated with those derived from AIF and EIF1S. Preliminary comparison between AIF and EIFNS in three awake rats supported an idea that the method might be applicable to behaving animals. The present study suggests that EIFNS method might serve as a noninvasive substitute for individual AIF measurement.
Vascular Permeability in Cerebral Cavernous Malformations
Authors: Mikati Abdul G , Khanna Omaditya , Zhang Lingjiao , Girard Romuald , Shenkar Robert , Guo Xiaodong , Shah Akash , Larsson Henrik BW , Tan Huan , Li Luying , Wishnoff Matthew S , Shi Changbin , Christoforidis Gregory A , Awad Issam A
Published: May 2015

Patients with the familial form of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are haploinsufficient for the CCM1, CCM2, or CCM3 gene. Loss of corresponding CCM proteins increases RhoA kinase-mediated endothelial permeability in vitro, and in mouse brains in vivo. A prospective case-controlled observational study investigated whether the brains of human subjects with familial CCM show vascular hyperpermeability by dynamic contrast-enhanced quantitative perfusion magnetic resonance imaging, in comparison with CCM cases without familial disease, and whether lesional or brain vascular permeability correlates with CCM disease activity. Permeability in white matter far (WMF) from lesions was significantly greater in familial than in sporadic cases, but was similar in CCM lesions. Permeability in WMF increased with age in sporadic patients, but not in familial cases. Patients with more aggressive familial CCM disease had greater WMF permeability compared to those with milder disease phenotype, but similar lesion permeability. Subjects receiving statin medications for routine cardiovascular indications had a trend of lower WMF, but not lesion, permeability. This is the first demonstration of brain vascular hyperpermeability in humans with an autosomal dominant disease, as predicted mechanistically. Brain permeability, more than lesion permeability, may serve as a biomarker of CCM disease activity, and help calibrate potential drug therapy.
Genome-wide association analysis identifies three new risk loci for gout arthritis in Han Chinese
Authors: Li Changgui , Li Zhiqiang , Liu Shiguo , Wang Can , Han Lin , Cui Lingling , Zhou Jingguo , Zou Hejian , Liu Zhen , Chen Jianhua , Cheng Xiaoyu , Zhou Zhaowei , Ding Chengcheng , Wang Meng , Chen Tong , Cui Ying , He Hongmei , Zhang Keke , Yin Congcong , Wang Yunlong , Xing Shichao , Li Baojie , Ji Jue , Jia Zhaotong , Ma Lidan , Niu Jiapeng , Xin Ying , Liu Tian , Chu Nan , Yu Qing , Ren Wei , Wang Xuefeng , Zhang Aiqing , Sun Yuping , Wang Haili , Lu Jie , Li Yuanyuan , Qing Yufeng , Chen Gang , Wang Yangang , Zhou Li , Niu Haitao , Liang Jun , Dong Qian , Li Xinde , Mi Qing-Sheng , Shi Yongyong
Published: May 2015

Gout is one of the most common types of inflammatory arthritis, caused by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in and around the joints. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified many genetic loci associated with raised serum urate concentrations. However, hyperuricemia alone is not sufficient for the development of gout arthritis. Here we conduct a multistage GWAS in Han Chinese using 4,275 male gout patients and 6,272 normal male controls (1,255 cases and 1,848 controls were genome-wide genotyped), with an additional 1,644 hyperuricemic controls. We discover three new risk loci, 17q23.2 (rs11653176, P=1.36 × 10−13, BCAS3), 9p24.2 (rs12236871, P=1.48 × 10−10, RFX3) and 11p15.5 (rs179785, P=1.28 × 10−8, KCNQ1), which contain inflammatory candidate genes. Our results suggest that these loci are most likely related to the progression from hyperuricemia to inflammatory gout, which will provide new insights into the pathogenesis of gout arthritis.
The reductive P–P coupling of primary and secondary phosphines mediated by N-heterocyclic carbenes
Authors: Schneider Heidi , Schmidt David , Radius Udo
Published: May 2015

P–P bond formation! The reaction of an NHC with primary and secondary phosphines leads to dehydrocoupling of the phosphines with the formation of iPr2ImH2and the corresponding carbene-phosphinidene adducts.
Ring-fused porphyrins: extension of π-conjugation significantly affects the aromaticity and optical properties of the porphyrin π-systems and the Lewis acidity of the central metal ions
Authors: Saegusa Yuta , Ishizuka Tomoya , Komamura Keiyu , Shimizu Soji , Kotani Hiroaki , Kobayashi Nagao , Kojima Takahiko
Published: May 2015

The ring fusion with five-membered rings causes not only the narrowed HOMO–LUMO gaps but also the contribution of anti-aromatic resonance forms.
Complexation induced fluorescence and acid–base properties of dapoxyl dye with γ-cyclodextrin: a drug-binding application using displacement assays
Authors: Pal Kaushik , Mallick Suman , Koner Apurba L.
Published: May 2015

The drug binding ability of γ-cyclodextrin in physiological conditions is evaluated experimentally and computationally via the dye displacement principle using dapoxyl dye.
A first-principles study of the electronic structure and mechanical and optical properties of CaAlSiN3
Authors: Wang Zhanyu , Shen Bo , Dong Fei , Wang Songyou , Su Wan-Sheng
Published: May 2015

A systematic study of the basic characteristics of CaAlSiN3.
Extremely strong organic–metal oxide electronic coupling caused by nucleophilic addition reaction
Authors: Fujisawa Jun-ichi , Hanaya Minoru
Published: May 2015

Extremely strong electronic coupling at organic–inorganic interfaces is caused by a nucleophilic addition reaction between TiO2and TCNQ. The strong coupling induces strong interfacial charge-transfer absorption in the TiO2–TCNQ complex.
Bis(phenolate)amine-supported lanthanide borohydride complexes for styrene and trans-1,4-isoprene (co-)polymerisations
Authors: Bonnet Fanny , Dyer Hellen E. , El Kinani Yassine , Dietz Carin , Roussel Pascal , Bria Marc , Visseaux Marc , Zinck Philippe , Mountford Philip
Published: May 2015

New bis(phenolate)amine-supported neodymium borohydride complexes and their previously reported samarium analogues were tested as catalysts for the polymerisation of styrene and isoprene.
Investigating Moorella thermoacetica metabolism with a genome-scale constraint-based metabolic model
Authors: Islam M. Ahsanul , Zengler Karsten , Edwards Elizabeth A. , Mahadevan Radhakrishnan , Stephanopoulos Gregory
Published: May 2015

Moorella thermoaceticais a strictly anaerobic, endospore-forming, and metabolically versatile acetogenic bacterium capable of conserving energy by both autotrophic (acetogenesis) and heterotrophic (homoacetogenesis) modes of metabolism.
Rapid electrochemical phenotypic profiling of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Authors: Besant Justin D. , Sargent Edward H. , Kelley Shana O.
Published: May 2015

Concentrating bacteria in nanoliter culture chambers enables rapid electrochemical antibiotic susceptibility testing on-chip.
Tribological properties of TiAl matrix self-lubricating composites incorporated with tungsten disulfide and zinc oxide
Authors: Xu Zengshi , Zhang Qiaoxin , Zhai Wenzheng
Published: May 2015

A schematic representation of the self-adjusted action of WS2–ZnO for TWZ at different temperatures.
Quantifying transport within a two-cell microdroplet induced by circular and sharp channel bends
Authors: Balasuriya Sanjeeva
Published: May 2015

A passive method for obtaining good mixing within microdroplets is to introduce curves in the boundaries of the microchannels in which they flow. This article develops a method which quantifies the role of piecewise circular or straight channel boundaries on the transport within a two-cell microdroplet. Transport between the two cells is quantified as an easily computable time-varying flux, which quantifies how lobes intrude from one cell to the other as the droplet traverses the channel. The computation requires neither numerically solving unsteady boundary value problems nor performing trajectory integration, thereby providing an efficient new method for investigating the role of channel geometry on intra-droplet transport.
Glass transition dynamics and conductivity scaling in ionic deep eutectic solvents: The case of (acetamide + lithium nitrate/sodium thiocyanate) melts
Authors: Tripathy Satya N. , Wojnarowska Zaneta , Knapik Justyna , Shirota Hideaki , Biswas Ranjit , Paluch Marian
Published: May 2015

A detailed investigation on the molecular dynamics of ionic deep eutectic solvents (acetamide + lithium nitrate/sodium thiocyanate) is reported. The study was carried out employing dielectric relaxation spectroscopy covering seven decades in frequency (10−1-106 Hz) and in a wide temperature range from 373 K down to 173 K, accessing the dynamic observables both in liquid and glassy state. The dielectric response of the ionic system has been presented in the dynamic window of modulus formalism to understand the conductivity relaxation and its possible connection to the origin of localized motion. Two secondary relaxation processes appear below glass transition temperature. Our findings provide suitable interpretation on the nature of secondary Johari-Goldstein process describing the ion translation and orientation of dipoles in a combined approach using Ngai’s coupling model. A nearly constant loss feature is witnessed at shorter times/lower temperatures. We also discuss the ac conductivity scaling behavior using Summerfield approach and random free energy barrier model which establish the time-temperature superposition principle. These experimental observations have fundamental importance on theoretical elucidation of the conductivity relaxation and glass transition phenomena in molten ionic conductors.
A very general rate expression for charge hopping in semiconducting polymers
Authors: Fornari Rocco P. , Aragó Juan , Troisi Alessandro
Published: May 2015

We propose an expression of the hopping rate between localized states in semiconducting disordered polymers that contain the most used rates in the literature as special cases. We stress that these rates cannot be obtained directly from electron transfer rate theories as it is not possible to define diabatic localized states if the localization is caused by disorder, as in most polymers, rather than nuclear polarization effects. After defining the separate classes of accepting and inducing nuclear modes in the system, we obtain a general expression of the hopping rate. We show that, under the appropriate limits, this expression reduces to (i) a single-phonon rate expression or (ii) the Miller-Abrahams rate or (iii) a multi-phonon expression. The description of these limits from a more general expression is useful to interpolate between them, to validate the assumptions of each limiting case, and to define the simplest rate expression that still captures the main features of the charge transport. When the rate expression is fed with a range of realistic parameters the deviation from the Miller-Abrahams rate is large or extremely large, especially for hopping toward lower energy states, due to the energy gap law.
Fast valve based on double-layer eddy-current repulsion for disruption mitigation in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak
Authors: Zhuang H. D. , Zhang X. D.
Published: May 2015

A fast valve based on the double-layer eddy-current repulsion mechanism has been developed on Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). In addition to a double-layer eddy-current coil, a preload system was added to improve the security of the valve, whereby the valve opens more quickly and the open-valve time becomes shorter, making it much safer than before. In this contribution, testing platforms, open-valve characteristics, and throughput of the fast valve are discussed. Tests revealed that by choosing appropriate parameters the valve opened within 0.15 ms, and open-valve times were no longer than 2 ms. By adjusting working parameter values, the maximum number of particles injected during this open-valve time was estimated at 7 × 1022. The fast valve will become a useful tool to further explore disruption mitigation experiments on EAST in 2015.
The dispersion state of magnetic nanorods in homopolymers and block copolymers
Authors: Lo Chieh-Tsung , Li Ming-Hsuan , Lin Wei-Ting
Published: May 2015

We investigated the dispersion state of pyridine-modified magnetic nanorods in poly(2 vinylpyridine) (P2VP) homopolymers and poly(styrene-b-2 vinylpyridine) (PS-P2VP) diblock copolymers. In the P2VP/nanorod mixtures, the dispersion of nanorods was enhanced in systems in which the molecular weight of P2VP was increased because the long P2VP chains provided steric hindrance and thus screened the attractive interparticle interactions, inhibiting the rod aggregation. When nanorods were mixed with PS-P2VP, the phase stability of the mixtures varied considerably according to changes in the lamellar period of PS-P2VP (D). When D was large, nanorods were sequestered into the P2VP domains through enthalpically driven self-assembly, and the nanorods became spatially organized. By contrast, when D was small, the introduction of nanorods caused substantial distortion of chain conformations. This entropically unfavorable condition can be offset by excluding nanorods from the ordered phases, causing particle aggregation. At a high particle loading, the attractive interparticle interactions outweighed the particle–polymer interaction and entropic contribution of polymers. Consequently, nanorods underwent extensive aggregation.
Magnetic, transport, and magnetocaloric properties of boron doped Ni-Mn-In alloys
Authors: Pandey S. , Quetz A. , Rodionov I. D. , Aryal A. , Blinov M. I. , Titov I. S. , Prudnikov V. N. , Granovsky A. B. , Dubenko I. , Stadler S. , Ali N.
Published: May 2015

The impact of B substitution in Ni50Mn35In15−xBx Heusler alloys on the structural, magnetic, transport, and parameters of the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) has been studied by means of room-temperature X-ray diffraction and thermomagnetic measurements (in magnetic fields (H) up to 5 T, and in the temperature interval 5–400 K). Direct adiabatic temperature change (ΔTAD) measurements have been carried out for an applied magnetic field change of 1.8 T. The transition temperatures (T-x) phase diagram has been constructed for H = 0.005 T. The MCE parameters were found to be comparable to those observed in other MCE materials such as Ni50Mn34.8In14.2B and Ni50Mn35In14X (X=In, Al, and Ge) Heusler alloys. The maximum absolute value of ΔTAD = 2.5 K was observed at the magnetostructural transition for Ni50Mn35In14.5B0.5.
Enhanced carrier mobility and direct tunneling probability of biaxially strained Ge1−xSnx alloys for field-effect transistors applications
Authors: Liu Lei , Liang Renrong , Wang Jing , Xu Jun
Published: May 2015

The carrier transport and tunneling capabilities of biaxially strained Ge1−xSnx alloys with (001), (110), and (111) orientations were comprehensively investigated and compared. The electron band structures of biaxially strained Ge1−xSnx alloys were calculated by the nonlocal empirical pseudopotential method and the modified virtual crystal approximation was adopted in the calculation. The electron and hole effective masses at the band edges were extracted using a parabolic line fit. It is shown that the applied biaxial strain and the high Sn composition are both helpful for the reduction of carrier effective masses, which leads to the enhanced carrier mobility and the boosted direct band-to-band-tunneling probability. Furthermore, the strain induced valance band splitting reduces the hole interband scattering, and the splitting also results in the significantly enhanced direct tunneling rate along the out-of-plane direction compared with that along the in-plane direction. The biaxially strained (111) Ge1−xSnx alloys exhibit the smallest band gaps compared with (001) and (110) orientations, leading to the highest in-plane and out-of-plane direct tunneling probabilities. The small effective masses on (110) and (111) planes in some strained conditions also contribute to the enhanced carrier mobility and tunneling probability. Therefore, the biaxially strained (110) and (111) Ge1−xSnx alloys have the potential to outperform the corresponding (001) Ge1−xSnx devices. It is important to optimize the applied biaxial strain, the Sn composition, and the substrate orientation for the design of high performance Ge1−xSnx field-effect transistors.
Random laser emission in a sphere-phase liquid crystal
Authors: Zhu Ji-Liang , Li Wei-Huan , Sun Yubao , Lu Jian-Gang , Song Xiao-Long , Chen Chao-Yuan , Zhang Zhidong , Su Yikai
Published: May 2015

We investigated random lasing from a fluid self-assembly sphere-phase liquid crystal, which was composed of three-dimensional twist sphere structures with disclinations among them. The threshold energy of the random lasing from sphere-phase liquid crystal was 32% of that from the chiral nematic phase because of the interference associated with multiple scattering by randomly distributed sphere-phase platelets. Such random lasers composed of self-assembly soft organic materials may be useful for holographic displays, point-of-care biomedical analysis, and optical security coatings.
Biomass and metal yield of co-cropped Alyssum murale and Lupinus albus
Authors: Jiang Cheng-Ai , Wu Qi-Tang , Goudon Romain , Echevarria Guillaume , Morel Jean-Louis
Published: May 2015

Combining crops is a potential option to gain more value from ultramafic soils. This work was designed to investigate the co-cropping of a legume, Lupinus albus, and a Ni-hyperaccumulator, Alyssum murale Waldst. & Kit, and determine whether growth and metal uptake would be altered by a companion plant. A pot experiment was conducted in a growth chamber in two serpentine topsoils that were low in P but differed in Ni and Mn concentrations. The soils were a Magnesic Eutric Cambisol (S1) and a Hypermagnesic Hypereutric Cambisol (S2). Pots were split into two compartments along the diagonal by a double-layer nylon mesh, and the space between the meshes was filled with same soil. Each plant was either mono-cropped (sown on both compartments) or co-cropped (one species per compartment). For all combinations, two treatments were prepared: one with no P fertilisation and the other with P addition. L. albus and A. murale plants were grown for 45 and 57 days respectively. Results showed that both plants responded positively to P fertilisation. In co-cropping systems on non-P treatments, L. albus accounted for the majority of the total biomass (higher than 90%), whereas with P addition the contribution of A. murale reached almost 40%. P fertilisation provoked an increase in Ni concentration in A. murale (S1), or no change (S2). Co-cropping significantly reduced Ni concentration in shoots of A. murale and total Ni exportation was slightly lower than when plants were grown individually. L. albus accumulated high concentrations of Mn and co-cropping and P deficiency increased Mn uptake. In this co-cropping system L. albus and A. murale interacted positively, and this association is a feasible means to increase the productivity of phytomining on serpentine soils provided appropriate fertilisation is supplied.
Developmental phenology of Persoonia longifolia (Proteaceae) and the impact of fire on these events
Authors: Chia K. A. , Koch J. M. , Sadler R. , Turner S. R.
Published: May 2015

Persoonia longifolia R.Br. is a common understorey tree that is difficult to re-establish following bauxite extraction and land restoration in parts of the jarrah forest of south-western Western Australia. To improve restoration outcomes for P. longifolia, understanding its phenology is vital for developing methods for returning this plant to rehabilitated areas. The present study investigated in detail different aspects of the phenology of P. longifolia over a 3-year-period. Most vegetative growth occurred during the summer months and flowering and fruiting occurred concurrently. Fruit matured from July through to September, at which time these dropped to the forest floor. Germination occurred in late winter–early spring from fruit that was at least 1-year old, with poor seedling survival in natural bush (<10%) during the first 12 months. Following fire, P. longifolia plants resprouted prolifically in the next growing season, although there was very little fruit production in the first year following fire. Fruit was not produced until at least the second year following a fire, and when dispersed, required at least another year in the soil seed bank before germination commenced (i.e. 3 years post-fire). Results from the present study will improve restoration outcomes for this species, by providing guidance on better seed-collection strategies and baseline information concerning growth rates under natural conditions that can then be used to assess performance of this species in restored environments.
Toward an integrated system for fire, smoke and air quality simulations
Authors: Kochanski Adam K. , Jenkins Mary Ann , Yedinak Kara , Mandel Jan , Beezley Jonathan , Lamb Brian
Published: May 2015

In this study, WRF-Sfire is coupled with WRF-Chem to construct WRFSC, an integrated forecast system for wildfire behaviour and smoke prediction. WRF-Sfire directly predicts wildfire spread, plume and plume-top heights, providing comprehensive meteorology and fire emissions to chemical transport model WRF-Chem, eliminating the need for an external plume-rise model. Evaluation of WRFSC was based on comparisons between available observations of fire perimeter and fire intensity, smoke spread, PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter), NO and ozone concentrations, and plume-top heights with the results of two WRFSC simulations, a 48-h simulation of the 2007 Witch–Guejito Santa Ana fires and a 96-h WRF-Sfire simulation with passive tracers of the 2012 Barker Canyon fire. The study found overall good agreement between forecast and observed local- and long-range fire spread and smoke transport for the Witch–Guejito fire. However, ozone, PM2.5 and NO concentrations were generally underestimated and peaks mistimed in the simulations. This study found overall good agreement between simulated and observed plume-top heights, with slight underestimation by the simulations. Two promising results were the agreement between plume-top heights for the Barker Canyon fire and faster than real-time execution, making WRFSC a possible operational tool.
To Bid or Not to Bid: The Role of Participation Rates in Conservation Auction Outcomes
Authors: DePiper Geret S.
Published: May 2015

In this article, I jointly analyze stated willingness to accept values with revealed auction bids from fishing license buybacks in the Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery in order to better understand the link between participation decisions and conservation outcomes. In contrast with theoretical expectations, I find individuals with the lowest willingness to accept participated in these reverse auctions at lower rates than other eligible individuals, all else being equal. This suggests that who bids in an auction plays an important role in the success of conservation outcomes. These results indicate that market design should expand to consider how, and whether, the economic incentives underlying auction participation align with desired conservation outcomes, both within fisheries and in natural resource management more broadly.
The 2014 Farm Bill and the WTO
Authors: Glauber Joseph W. , Westhoff Patrick
Published: May 2015

The 2014 farm bill reduced expected budgetary costs of US farm programs, according to estimates prepared by the Congressional Budget Office. Cost projections are very sensitive to market conditions and program participation assumptions, and stochastic analysis indicates that farm program costs could easily differ from expected values by $5 billion or more in any given year. By replacing direct payments with new policies that make payments tied to market prices and yields, the bill could have important World Trade Organization (WTO) implications. If the new policies are classified as non‐commodity specific amber box support, projections indicate that existing WTO limits on the current Aggregate Measure of Support would not be exceeded on average, but could be under some market conditions. Furthermore, the new policies are very likely to exceed some WTO rules proposed by various parties in the Doha Round negotiations.
Identification of an anti-TB compound targeting the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase
Authors: Zhu Ningyu , Lin Yuan , Li Dongsheng , Gao Nana , Liu Chang , You Xuefu , Jiang Jiandong , Jiang Wei , Si Shuyi
Published: May 2015

Objectives

Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis poses a great threat to human health. Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) is one of the aminoacyl tRNA synthetases that catalyse the attachment of amino acids to their cognate tRNAs and are essential for protein synthesis. There are several distinctive differences between bacterial and human TyrRS and therefore it could be a potential target for developing antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to identify a new anti-TB agent targeting M. tuberculosis TyrRS (MtTyrRS).

Methods

We first used Mycobacterium smegmatis for a phenotypic screening of 20 000 compounds. The hit compounds were then screened with MtTyrRS. The interaction between hit compound IMB-T130 and the target protein was analysed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay and molecular docking experiments. The target of IMB-T130 was further confirmed by the overexpression of the target protein. The antibacterial activity of IMB-T130 against various standard and clinical drug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains was evaluated using the microplate Alamar blue assay.

Results

Compound IMB-T130 was identified as a hit compound that inhibits the growth of M. smegmatis and the in vitro activity of MtTyrRS. The interaction between IMB-T130 and MtTyrRS was confirmed by SPR assay and molecular docking analysis. The higher MIC for a strain overexpressing the target protein also suggests that MtTyrRS is likely to be the target of IMB-T130. IMB-T130 shows excellent anti-TB activity and low cytotoxicity.

Conclusions

IMB-T130 inhibits the growth of MDR-TB and XDR-TB by targeting MtTyrRS. Because of its low cytotoxicity against mammalian cells, IMB-T130 is a promising new agent against drug-resistant M. tuberculosis.
Emergence and spread of O16-ST131 and O25b-ST131 clones among faecal CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli in healthy individuals in Hunan Province, China
Authors: Zhong Yi-Ming , Liu Wen-En , Liang Xiang-Hui , Li Yan-Ming , Jian Zi-Juan , Hawkey Peter M.
Published: May 2015

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to determine CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli ST131 strain prevalence in stool specimens from healthy subjects in central China and to molecularly characterize clonal groups.

Methods

From November 2013 to January 2014, stool specimens from healthy individuals in Hunan Province were screened for ESBL-producing E. coli using chromogenic medium and CTX-M genotypes and phylogenetic groups were determined. ST131 clonal groups were detected by PCR and characterized for antibiotic resistance, fimH, gyrA and parC alleles, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants, virulence genotypes and PFGE patterns.

Results

Among 563 subjects, 287 (51.0%) exhibited the presence of faecal ESBL-producing E. coli, all of which produced CTX-M enzymes. The most common CTX-M genotypes were CTX-M-14 (48.4%), CTX-M-15 (27.5%) and CTX-M-27 (15.0%). Of the 287 CTX-M-producing isolates, 32 (11.1%) belonged to the ST131 clone. O16-ST131 isolates were dominant (75%) and contained the fimH41 allele. The remaining eight (25%) ST131 isolates were of the O25b subgroup and contained fimH30 or fimH41. Ciprofloxacin resistance was found in 100% of the O25b-ST131 isolates, whereas only 8% of the O16-ST131 isolates were resistant. All of the O25b-ST131 isolates except one showed gyrA1AB and parC1aAB mutations; most of the O16-ST131 isolates had gyrA1A and parC1b mutations. The virulence genotypes of O16-ST131 resembled those of the O25b-ST131 isolates. The 32 ST131 isolates formed one large group at the 64% similarity level. They comprised 15 PFGE groups (defined at ≥85% similarity).

Conclusions

O16-ST131 isolates have emerged as the predominant type of ST131 isolate in faecal CTX-M-producing E. coli in healthy individuals in China.
Calibration of the AKARI far-infrared all-sky survey maps
Authors: Takita Satoshi , Doi Yasuo , Ootsubo Takafumi , Arimatsu Ko , Ikeda Norio , Kawada Mitsunobu , Kitamura Yoshimi , Matsuura Shuji , Nakagawa Takao , Hattori Makoto , Morishima Takahiro , Tanaka Masahiro , Komugi Shinya
Published: May 2015

We present an initial analysis of the properties of an all-sky image obtained by the Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) onboard the AKARI satellite, at 65 μm (N60), 90 μm (WIDE-S), 140 μm (WIDE-L), and 160 μm (N160). An absolute flux calibration was determined by comparing the data with COBE/DIRBE data sets; the intensity range was as wide as from a few MJy sr−1 to > 1 GJy sr−1. The uncertainties are considered to be the standard deviations with respect to the DIRBE data, and are less than 10% for intensities above 10, 3, 25, and 26 MJy sr−1 at the N60, WIDE-S, WIDE-L, and N160 bands, respectively. The characteristics of point sources in the image were also determined by stacking maps centred on photometric standard stars. The full width at half maxima of the point spread functions (PSFs) were 63″, 78″, and 88″ at the N60, WIDE-S, and WIDE-L bands, respectively. The PSF at the N160 band was not obtained due to the sensitivity, but it is thought to be the same as that of the WIDE-L one.
The role of clusters in the global innovation strategy of MNEs
Authors: Gugler Philippe , Keller Michael , Tinguely Xavier
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to focus on the role of clusters as home and host country-specific advantages for multinational enterprises (“MNEs”) in the organization of their internal and external networks to optimize the diffusion and generation of new knowledge. Strategic asset-seeking investment has been a major driver of the internalization of innovation activities performed by MNEs abroad. This paper demonstrates the attractiveness of foreign clusters in the global innovation process of MNEs. The main assumption is that location within innovative clusters may foster the ability of firms to generate new innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper illustrates the theoretical developments through the example of firms located in the Basel pharmaceutical clusters which have invested in other clusters abroad.

Findings

– The results are based on an in-depth patent data analysis and confirm the importance of clusters in an innovation-driven industry.

Originality/value

– This paper focuses on the role of clusters as home and host country-specific advantages for “MNEs” in the organization of their internal and external networks to optimize the diffusion and generation of new knowledge. Strategic asset-seeking investment has been a major driver of the internalization of innovation activities performed by MNEs abroad. This paper demonstrates the attractiveness of foreign clusters in the global innovation process of MNEs. The main assumption is that location within innovative clusters may foster the ability of firms to generate new innovations. This paper illustrates the theoretical developments through the example of firms located in the Basel pharmaceutical clusters which have invested in other clusters abroad. The results are based on an in-depth patent data analysis and confirm the importance of clusters in an innovation-driven industry.
Methodology of institutional analysis and its implication for contemporary framework of Islamic banks
Authors: Javaid Omar
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the possibility of a methodological error made by the concerned scholars and academics of Islamic finance & economics to understand and study the modern framework of financial institutions, where they intend to practice Islamic law of contract. This error has led them to expect something which the institutional modern framework of banks, adopted by Islamic banks (for e.g.), wasn’t designed to accomplish, hence the disappointment.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study reviews the literature on history of evolution of banking industry and the corresponding ideological and cultural changes in the European society which drove this evolution; this is followed by a conceptual analysis to identify the institutional components inconsistent with ethos of Islamic norms and ethos.

Findings

– After review of history and evolution of modern banking framework, in the light of Hollingsworth frame of institutional analysis, it is inferred that the said framework was designed for a secular, liberal and capitalist society to efficiently and effectively enhance freedom and accumulate capital and wealth, without much regard for equitable distribution of wealth and economic justice. These goals are very much in contrast with the normative premise of Islamic Economics, which cannot be efficiently used to achieve the related objective. This indicates that framework of banking was narrowly understood by the concerned scholars and academics, without considering its history of evolution and intended objectives, before adopting for IBs.

Practical implications

– The disconnect between the Western institutional framework and ethos of Islam implies that the concerned need to look deeper and holistically while adapting Western institutions, so that necessary alteration is done in advance, if such an adoption is inevitable.

Originality/value

– This study introduces a new dimension for the concerned scholars, academics and practitioners to reanalyze the institutional framework adopted from the West, so that necessary adjustments can be worked out to make the said framework compatible with the ethos of Islamic economics.