bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hot and Cool Executive Functions in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Comorbid Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Authors: Antonini Tanya N. , Becker Stephen P. , Tamm Leanne , Epstein Jeffery N.
Published: September 2015

While neuropsychological deficits in both “hot” and “cool” executive functions (EFs) have been documented among individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), these EF deficits are not universal across all individuals with this diagnosis. One potential moderator of executive dysfunction may be the presence of comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). This study examined the association between “hot” and “cool” EFs and comorbid ODD in children with ADHD. Thirty-three children with ADHD and comorbid ODD (ADHD+ODD), 67 with ADHD without ODD (ADHD-ODD), and 30 typically developing controls participated. Children were 7–12 years of age. “Cool” EFs were assessed with a spatial span task and a card sorting test. “Hot” EFs were assessed using a delay discounting task and a gambling task. ADHD-ODD and ADHD+ODD groups performed more poorly on “cool” EF tasks than controls, but did not differ from each other. Furthermore, the number of ADHD symptoms, but not ODD symptoms, was associated with “cool” EF scores. The three groups did not differ on “hot” EF tasks and the number of ADHD or ODD symptoms was unrelated to “hot” EF scores. In sum, children with ADHD presented with “cool” EF deficits which appear to be unrelated to ODD comorbidity. However, “hot” EF deficits were not present among children with ADHD, irrespective of comorbid ODD status. (JINS, 2015,21, 584–595)
Alzheimer Disease Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers Moderate Baseline Differences and Predict Longitudinal Change in Attentional Control and Episodic Memory Composites in the Adult Children Study
Authors: Aschenbrenner Andrew J. , Balota David A. , Fagan Anne M. , Duchek Janet M. , Benzinger Tammie L.S. , Morris John C.
Published: September 2015

Cognitive measures that are sensitive to biological markers of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology are needed to (a) facilitate preclinical staging, (b) identify individuals who are at the highest risk for developing clinical symptoms, and (c) serve as endpoints for evaluating the efficacy of interventions. The present study assesses the utility of two cognitive composite scores of attentional control and episodic memory as markers for preclinical AD pathology in a group of cognitively normal older adults (N=238), as part of the Adult Children Study. All participants were given a baseline cognitive assessment and follow-up assessments every 3 years over an 8-year period, as well as a lumbar puncture within 2 years of the initial assessment to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and amyloid tracer Pittsburgh compound-B scan for amyloid imaging. Results indicated that attentional control was correlated with levels of Aβ42 at the initial assessment whereas episodic memory was not. Longitudinally, individuals with high CSF tau exhibited a decline in both attention and episodic memory over the course of the study. These results indicate that measures of attentional control and episodic memory can be used to evaluate cognitive decline in preclinical AD and provide support that CSF tau may be a key mechanism driving longitudinal cognitive change. (JINS, 2015, 21, 573–583)
Cottaar Receives 2015 Keiiti Aki Young Scientist Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: September 2015

Sanne Cottaar will receive the 2015 Keiiti Aki Young Scientist Award at the 2015 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, to be held 14–18 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes the scientific accomplishments of a young scientist who makes outstanding contributions to the advancement of seismology.
Smith Receives 2015 Paul G. Silver Award for Outstanding Scientific Service
Authors:   AGU
Published: September 2015

Robert Smith will receive the 2015 Paul G. Silver Award for Outstanding Scientific Service at the 2015 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, to be held 14–18 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the fields of geodesy, seismology, or tectonophysics through mentoring of junior colleagues, leadership of community research initiatives, or other forms of unselfish collaboration in research.
Senataxin controls meiotic silencing through ATR activation and chromatin remodeling
Authors: Yeo Abrey J , Becherel Olivier J , Luff John E , Graham Mark E , Richard Derek , Lavin Martin F
Published: September 2015

Senataxin, defective in ataxia oculomotor apraxia type 2, protects the genome by facilitating the resolution of RNA–DNA hybrids (R-loops) and other aspects of RNA processing. Disruption of this gene in mice causes failure of meiotic recombination and defective meiotic sex chromosome inactivation, leading to male infertility. Here we provide evidence that the disruption of Setx leads to reduced SUMOylation and disruption of protein localization across the XY body during meiosis. We demonstrate that senataxin and other DNA damage repair proteins, including ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein-interacting partner, are SUMOylated, and a marked downregulation of both ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein-interacting partner and TopBP1 leading to defective activation and signaling through ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein occurs in the absence of senataxin. Furthermore, chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4, a component of the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase chromatin remodeler that interacts with both ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein and senataxin was not recruited efficiently to the XY body, triggering altered histone acetylation and chromatin conformation in Setx−/− pachytene-staged spermatocytes. These results demonstrate that senataxin has a critical role in ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein- and chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4-mediated transcriptional silencing and chromatin remodeling during meiosis providing greater insight into its critical role in gene regulation to protect against neurodegeneration.
A recursive vesicle-based model protocell with a primitive model cell cycle
Authors: Kurihara Kensuke , Okura Yusaku , Matsuo Muneyuki , Toyota Taro , Suzuki Kentaro , Sugawara Tadashi
Published: September 2015

Self-organized lipid structures (protocells) have been proposed as an intermediate between nonliving material and cellular life. Synthetic production of model protocells can demonstrate the potential processes by which living cells first arose. While we have previously described a giant vesicle (GV)-based model protocell in which amplification of DNA was linked to self-reproduction, the ability of a protocell to recursively self-proliferate for multiple generations has not been demonstrated. Here we show that newborn daughter GVs can be restored to the status of their parental GVs by pH-induced vesicular fusion of daughter GVs with conveyer GVs filled with depleted substrates. We describe a primitive model cell cycle comprising four discrete phases (ingestion, replication, maturity and division), each of which is selectively activated by a specific external stimulus. The production of recursive self-proliferating model protocells represents a step towards eventual production of model protocells that are able to mimic evolution.
Flexible coherent control of plasmonic spin-Hall effect
Authors: Xiao Shiyi , Zhong Fan , Liu Hui , Zhu Shining , Li Jensen
Published: September 2015

The surface plasmon polariton is an emerging candidate for miniaturizing optoelectronic circuits. Recent demonstrations of polarization-dependent splitting using metasurfaces, including focal-spot shifting and unidirectional propagation, allow us to exploit the spin degree of freedom in plasmonics. However, further progress has been hampered by the inability to generate more complicated and independent surface plasmon profiles for two incident spins, which work coherently together for more flexible and tunable functionalities. Here by matching the geometric phases of the nano-slots on silver to specific superimpositions of the inward and outward surface plasmon profiles for the two spins, arbitrary spin-dependent orbitals can be generated in a slot-free region. Furthermore, motion pictures with a series of picture frames can be assembled and played by varying the linear polarization angle of incident light. This spin-enabled control of orbitals is potentially useful for tip-free near-field scanning microscopy, holographic data storage, tunable plasmonic tweezers, and integrated optical components.
Macroscopic ordering of helical pores for arraying guest molecules noncentrosymmetrically
Authors: Li Chunji , Cho Joonil , Yamada Kuniyo , Hashizume Daisuke , Araoka Fumito , Takezoe Hideo , Aida Takuzo , Ishida Yasuhiro
Published: September 2015

Helical nanostructures have attracted continuous attention, not only as media for chiral recognition and synthesis, but also as motifs for studying intriguing physical phenomena that never occur in centrosymmetric systems. To improve the quality of signals from these phenomena, which is a key issue for their further exploration, the most straightforward is the macroscopic orientation of helices. Here as a versatile scaffold to rationally construct this hardly accessible structure, we report a polymer framework with helical pores that unidirectionally orient over a large area (∼10 cm2). The framework, prepared by crosslinking a supramolecular liquid crystal preorganized in a magnetic field, is chemically robust, functionalized with carboxyl groups and capable of incorporating various basic or cationic guest molecules. When a nonlinear optical chromophore is incorporated in the framework, the resultant complex displays a markedly efficient nonlinear optical output, owing to the coherence of signals ensured by the macroscopically oriented helical structure.
Transcriptomes of parents identify parenting strategies and sexual conflict in a subsocial beetle
Authors: Parker Darren J. , Cunningham Christopher B. , Walling Craig A. , Stamper Clare E. , Head Megan L. , Roy-Zokan Eileen M. , McKinney Elizabeth C. , Ritchie Michael G. , Moore Allen J.
Published: September 2015

Parenting in the burying beetleNicrophorus vespilloidesis complex and, unusually, the sex and number of parents that can be present is flexible. Such flexibility is expected to involve specialized behaviour by the two sexes under biparental conditions. Here, we show that offspring fare equally well regardless of the sex or number of parents present. Comparing transcriptomes, we find a largely overlapping set of differentially expressed genes in both uniparental and biparental females and in uniparental males includingvitellogenin, associated with reproduction, andtakeout, influencing sex-specific mating and feeding behaviour. Gene expression in biparental males is similar to that in non-caring states. Thus, being ‘biparental’ inN. vespilloidesdescribes the family social organization rather than the number of directly parenting individuals. There was no specialization; instead, in biparental families, direct male parental care appears to be limited with female behaviour unchanged. This should lead to strong sexual conflict.
Carbon-bridged oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s for photostable and broadly tunable, solution-processable thin film organic lasers
Authors: Morales-Vidal Marta , Boj Pedro G. , Villalvilla José M. , Quintana José A. , Yan Qifan , Lin Nai-Ti , Zhu Xiaozhang , Ruangsupapichat Nopporn , Casado Juan , Tsuji Hayato , Nakamura Eiichi , Díaz-García María A.
Published: September 2015

Thin film organic lasers represent a new generation of inexpensive, mechanically flexible devices for spectroscopy, optical communications and sensing. For this purpose, it is desired to develop highly efficient, stable, wavelength-tunable and solution-processable organic laser materials. Here we report that carbon-bridged oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s serve as optimal materials combining all these properties simultaneously at the level required for applications by demonstrating amplified spontaneous emission and distributed feedback laser devices. A series of six compounds, with the repeating unit from 1 to 6, doped into polystyrene films undergo amplified spontaneous emission from 385 to 585 nm with remarkably low threshold and high net gain coefficients, as well as high photostability. The fabricated lasers show narrow linewidth (<0.13 nm) single mode emission at very low thresholds (0.7 kW cm−2), long operational lifetimes (>105 pump pulses for oligomers with three to six repeating units) and wavelength tunability across the visible spectrum (408–591 nm).
Entropy-stabilized oxides
Authors: Rost Christina M. , Sachet Edward , Borman Trent , Moballegh Ali , Dickey Elizabeth C. , Hou Dong , Jones Jacob L. , Curtarolo Stefano , Maria Jon-Paul
Published: September 2015

Configurational disorder can be compositionally engineered into mixed oxide by populating a single sublattice with many distinct cations. The formulations promote novel and entropy-stabilized forms of crystalline matter where metal cations are incorporated in new ways. Here, through rigorous experiments, a simple thermodynamic model, and a five-component oxide formulation, we demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that entropy predominates the thermodynamic landscape, and drives a reversible solid-state transformation between a multiphase and single-phase state. In the latter, cation distributions are proven to be random and homogeneous. The findings validate the hypothesis that deliberate configurational disorder provides an orthogonal strategy to imagine and discover new phases of crystalline matter and untapped opportunities for property engineering.
Ultrahigh volumetric capacitance and cyclic stability of fluorine and nitrogen co-doped carbon microspheres
Authors: Zhou Junshuang , Lian Jie , Hou Li , Zhang Junchuan , Gou Huiyang , Xia Meirong , Zhao Yufeng , Strobel Timothy A. , Tao Lu , Gao Faming
Published: September 2015

Highly porous nanostructures with large surface areas are typically employed for electrical double-layer capacitors to improve gravimetric energy storage capacity; however, high surface area carbon-based electrodes result in poor volumetric capacitance because of the low packing density of porous materials. Here, we demonstrate ultrahigh volumetric capacitance of 521 F cm−3 in aqueous electrolytes for non-porous carbon microsphere electrodes co-doped with fluorine and nitrogen synthesized by low-temperature solvothermal route, rivaling expensive RuO2 or MnO2 pseudo-capacitors. The new electrodes also exhibit excellent cyclic stability without capacitance loss after 10,000 cycles in both acidic and basic electrolytes at a high charge current of 5 A g−1. This work provides a new approach for designing high-performance electrodes with exceptional volumetric capacitance with high mass loadings and charge rates for long-lived electrochemical energy storage systems.
The body fades away: investigating the effects of transparency of an embodied virtual body on pain threshold and body ownership
Authors: Martini Matteo , Kilteni Konstantina , Maselli Antonella , Sanchez-Vives Maria V.
Published: September 2015

The feeling of “ownership” over an external dummy/virtual body (or body part) has been proven to have both physiological and behavioural consequences. For instance, the vision of an “embodied” dummy or virtual body can modulate pain perception. However, the impact of partial or total invisibility of the body on physiology and behaviour has been hardly explored since it presents obvious difficulties in the real world. In this study we explored how body transparency affects both body ownership and pain threshold. By means of virtual reality, we presented healthy participants with a virtual co-located body with four different levels of transparency, while participants were tested for pain threshold by increasing ramps of heat stimulation. We found that the strength of the body ownership illusion decreases when the body gets more transparent. Nevertheless, in the conditions where the body was semi-transparent, higher levels of ownership over a see-through body resulted in an increased pain sensitivity. Virtual body ownership can be used for the development of pain management interventions. However, we demonstrate that providing invisibility of the body does not increase pain threshold. Therefore, body transparency is not a good strategy to decrease pain in clinical contexts, yet this remains to be tested.
Increased epigenetic alterations at the promoters of transcriptional regulators following inadequate maternal gestational weight gain
Authors: Kawai Tomoko , Yamada Takahiro , Abe Kosei , Okamura Kohji , Kamura Hiromi , Akaishi Rina , Minakami Hisanori , Nakabayashi Kazuhiko , Hata Kenichiro
Published: September 2015

Epigenetic modifications are thought to serve as a memory of exposure to in utero environments. However, few human studies have investigated the associations between maternal nutritional conditions during pregnancy and epigenetic alterations in offspring. In this study, we report genome-wide methylation profiles for 33 postpartum placentas from pregnancies of normal and foetal growth restriction with various extents of maternal gestational weight gain. Epigenetic alterations accumulate in the placenta under adverse in utero environments, as shown by application of Smirnov-Grubbs’ outlier test. Moreover, hypermethylation occurs frequently at the promoter regions of transcriptional regulator genes, including polycomb targets and zinc-finger genes, as shown by annotations of the genomic and functional features of loci with altered DNA methylation. Aberrant epigenetic modifications at such developmental regulator loci, if occurring in foetuses as well, will elevate the risk of developing various diseases, including metabolic and mental disorders, later in life.
Multigenerational epigenetic inheritance in humans: DNA methylation changes associated with maternal exposure to lead can be transmitted to the grandchildren
Authors: Sen Arko , Heredia Nicole , Senut Marie-Claude , Land Susan , Hollocher Kurt , Lu Xiangyi , Dereski Mary O. , Ruden Douglas M.
Published: September 2015

We report that the DNA methylation profile of a child’s neonatal whole blood can be significantly influenced by his or her mother’s neonatal blood lead levels (BLL). We recruited 35 mother-infant pairs in Detroit and measured the whole blood lead (Pb) levels and DNA methylation levels at over 450,000 loci from current blood and neonatal blood from both the mother and the child. We found that mothers with high neonatal BLL correlate with altered DNA methylation at 564 loci in their children’s neonatal blood. Our results suggest that Pb exposure during pregnancy affects the DNA methylation status of the fetal germ cells, which leads to altered DNA methylation in grandchildren’s neonatal dried blood spots. This is the first demonstration that an environmental exposure in pregnant mothers can have an epigenetic effect on the DNA methylation pattern in the grandchildren.
Global change feed-back inhibits cyanobacterial photosynthesis
Authors: Walter Helbling E. , Banaszak Anastazia T. , Villafañe Virginia E.
Published: September 2015

Cyanobacteria are an important component of aquatic ecosystems, with a proliferation of massive cyanobacterial blooms predicted worldwide under increasing warming conditions. In addition to temperature, other global change related variables, such as water column stratification, increases in dissolved organic matter (DOM) discharge into freshwater systems and greater wind stress (i.e., more opaque and mixed upper water column/epilimnion) might also affect the responses of cyanobacteria. However, the combined effects of these variables on cyanobacterial photosynthesis remain virtually unknown. Here we present evidence that this combination of global-change conditions results in a feed-back mechanism by which, fluctuations in solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) due to vertical mixing within the epilimnion act synergistically with increased DOM to impair cyanobacterial photosynthesis as the water column progressively darkens. The main consequence of such a feed-back response is that these organisms will not develop large blooms in areas of latitudes higher than 30°, in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, where DOM inputs and surface wind stress are increasing.
Vertical transport in graphene-hexagonal boron nitride heterostructure devices
Authors: Bruzzone Samantha , Logoteta Demetrio , Fiori Gianluca , Iannaccone Giuseppe
Published: September 2015

Research in graphene-based electronics is recently focusing on devices based on vertical heterostructures of two-dimensional materials. Here we use density functional theory and multiscale simulations to investigate the tunneling properties of single- and double-barrier structures with graphene and few-layer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) or hexagonal boron carbon nitride (h-BC2N). We find that tunneling through a single barrier exhibit a weak dependence on energy. We also show that in double barriers separated by a graphene layer we do not observe resonant tunneling, but a significant increase of the tunneling probability with respect to a single barrier of thickness equal to the sum of the two barriers. This is due to the fact that the graphene layer acts as an effective phase randomizer, suppressing resonant tunneling and effectively letting a double-barrier structure behave as two single-barriers in series. Finally, we use multiscale simulations to reproduce a current-voltage characteristics resembling that of a resonant tunneling diode, that has been experimentally observed in single barrier structure. The peak current is obtained when there is perfect matching between the densities of states of the cathode and anode graphene regions.
Potential causal associations between vitamin D and uric acid: Bidirectional mediation analysis
Authors: Thakkinstian Ammarin , Anothaisintawee Thunyarat , Chailurkit Laor , Ratanachaiwong Wipa , Yamwong Sukit , Sritara Piyamitr , Ongphiphadhanakul Boonsong
Published: September 2015

Vitamin D deficiency, a major public-health worldwide, is associated with hyperuricemia but casual association is questioned. The study was conducted to determine potential causal associations between 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) and uric acid (UA). A cross-sectional study of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT3) cohort was conducted. Subjects (n = 2,288) were used to genotype the group-specific component (GC) at rs2282679 and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) at rs2231142. Mediation analysis with 1000-replication bootstrap was applied to construct causal pathways i.e., rs2282679 → 25(OH)D → UA and rs2231142 → UA → 25(OH)D: The mediator (i.e., 25(OH)D and UA) was firstly regressed on the studied gene (i.e., rs2282679 and rs2231142). A potential causal effect of C allele on UA through 25(OH)D was −0.0236 (95% CI: −0.0411, −0.0058), indicating every minor C allele resulted in decreasing the 25(OH)D and then significantly decreased the UA by 0.0236 unit. For the second pathway, the mediation effect was 0.0806 (95% CI: 0.0107, 0.1628); every T allele copy for rs2231142 increased UA and thus increased 25(OH)D by 0.0806 unit. Our study suggested potential causal associations between the GC gene and UA through the 25(OH)D mediator and the ABCG2 and the 25(OH)D through the UA mediator but the absolute effects are very clinically small.
Mitochondrial ADP/ATP exchange inhibition: a novel off-target mechanism underlying ibipinabant-induced myotoxicity
Authors: Schirris Tom J. J. , Ritschel Tina , Herma Renkema G. , Willems Peter H. G. M. , Smeitink Jan A. M. , Russel Frans G. M.
Published: September 2015

Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) antagonists appear to be promising drugs for the treatment of obesity, however, serious side effects have hampered their clinical application. Rimonabant, the first in class CB1R antagonist, was withdrawn from the market because of psychiatric side effects. This has led to the search for more peripherally restricted CB1R antagonists, one of which is ibipinabant. However, this 3,4-diarylpyrazoline derivative showed muscle toxicity in a pre-clinical dog study with mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, we studied the molecular mechanism by which ibipinabant induces mitochondrial toxicity. We observed a strong cytotoxic potency of ibipinabant in C2C12 myoblasts. Functional characterization of mitochondria revealed increased cellular reactive oxygen species generation and a decreased ATP production capacity, without effects on the catalytic activities of mitochondrial enzyme complexes I–V or the complex specific-driven oxygen consumption. Using in silico off-target prediction modelling, combined with in vitro validation in isolated mitochondria and mitoplasts, we identified adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT)-dependent mitochondrial ADP/ATP exchange as a novel molecular mechanism underlying ibipinabant-induced toxicity. Minor structural modification of ibipinabant could abolish ANT inhibition leading to a decreased cytotoxic potency, as observed with the ibipinabant derivative CB23. Our results will be instrumental in the development of new types of safer CB1R antagonists.
Longitudinal domain wall formation in elongated assemblies of ferromagnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Varón Miriam , Beleggia Marco , Jordanovic Jelena , Schiøtz Jakob , Kasama Takeshi , Puntes Victor F. , Frandsen Cathrine
Published: September 2015

Through evaporation of dense colloids of ferromagnetic ~13 nm ε-Co particles onto carbon substrates, anisotropic magnetic dipolar interactions can support formation of elongated particle structures with aggregate thicknesses of 100–400 nm and lengths of up to some hundred microns. Lorenz microscopy and electron holography reveal collective magnetic ordering in these structures. However, in contrast to continuous ferromagnetic thin films of comparable dimensions, domain walls appear preferentially as longitudinal, i.e., oriented parallel to the long axis of the nanoparticle assemblies. We explain this unusual domain structure as the result of dipolar interactions and shape anisotropy, in the absence of inter-particle exchange coupling.
On/off-switchable anti-neoplastic nanoarchitecture
Authors: Patra Hirak K. , Imani Roghayeh , Jangamreddy Jaganmohan R. , Pazoki Meysam , Iglič Aleš , Turner Anthony P. F. , Tiwari Ashutosh
Published: September 2015

Throughout the world, there are increasing demands for alternate approaches to advanced cancer therapeutics. Numerous potentially chemotherapeutic compounds are developed every year for clinical trial and some of them are considered as potential drug candidates. Nanotechnology-based approaches have accelerated the discovery process, but the key challenge still remains to develop therapeutically viable and physiologically safe materials suitable for cancer therapy. Here, we report a high turnover, on/off-switchable functionally popping reactive oxygen species (ROS) generator using a smart mesoporous titanium dioxide popcorn (TiO2 Pops) nanoarchitecture. The resulting TiO2 Pops, unlike TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), are exceptionally biocompatible with normal cells. Under identical conditions, TiO2 Pops show very high photocatalytic activity compared to TiO2 NPs. Upon on/off-switchable photo activation, the TiO2 Pops can trigger the generation of high-turnover flash ROS and can deliver their potential anticancer effect by enhancing the intracellular ROS level until it crosses the threshold to open the ‘death gate’, thus reducing the survival of cancer cells by at least six times in comparison with TiO2 NPs without affecting the normal cells.
Hydrometallurgical Recovery of Metals from Large Printed Circuit Board Pieces
Authors: Jadhav U. , Hocheng H.
Published: September 2015

The recovery of precious metals from waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) is an effective recycling process. This paper presents a promising hydrometallurgical process to recover precious metals from waste PCBs. To simplify the metal leaching process, large pieces of PCBs were used instead of a pulverized sample. The chemical coating present on the PCBs was removed by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment prior to the hydrometallurgical treatment. Among the leaching reagents examined, hydrochloric acid (HCl) showed great potential for the recovery of metals. The HCl-mediated leaching of waste PCBs was investigated over a range of conditions. Increasing the acid concentration decreased the time required for complete metal recovery. The shaking speed showed a pronounced positive effect on metal recovery, but the temperature showed an insignificant effect. The results showed that 1 M HCl recovered all of the metals from 4 cm × 4 cm PCBs at room temperature and 150 rpm shaking speed in 22 h.
Melanin production through novel processing of proopiomelanocortin in the extracellular compartment of the auricular skin of C57BL/6 mice after UV-irradiation
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Yamane Tomohiro , Iguchi Kazuaki , Tanaka Kiyotaka , Iddamalgoda Arunasiri , Unno Keiko , Hoshino Minoru , Takeda Atsushi
Published: September 2015

The production of melanin is regulated by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), which is produced from proopiomelanocortin (POMC). Keratinocytes release POMC along with lower levels of α-MSH and ACTH. To clarify the mechanism of melanogenesis after ultraviolet (UV)-irradiation, this study focused on the expression of POMC and POMC-derived peptides after UV-irradiation. Western blot analysis and immunoassays indicated that both POMC and α-MSH-like immunoreactivity (α-MSH-LI) increased after UV-irradiation. However, other POMC-derived products were very low. In hypophysectomized mice, α-MSH-LI increased to the same level as in control mice after UV-irradiation. Structural analysis revealed that the major α-MSH-LI product was ACTH(1–8). Furthermore, ACTH(1–8) competed with [125I]-α-MSH for receptor binding and increased melanin production via a melanocortin-1 receptor. These results suggested that melanin was produced through ACTH(1–8) after UV-irradiation. Trypsin-like enzymatic activity, which is responsible for POMC activation, increased after UV-irradiation and was identified as tryptase. In mast cell-deficient mice, which do not produce tryptase, α-MSH-LI levels were unchanged after UV-irradiation. The present study demonstrates the production of ACTH(1–8) from POMC by tryptase, which is a novel peptide-processing mechanism in the extracellular compartment of the skin.
Dairy products consumption and metabolic syndrome in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Chen Guo-Chong , Szeto Ignatius M. Y. , Chen Li-Hua , Han Shu-Fen , Li Yan-Jie , van Hekezen Rina , Qin Li-Qiang
Published: September 2015

The association of dairy products consumption with risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been inconsistently reported in observational studies. A systematic review and meta-analysis of published observational studies was conducted to quantitatively evaluate this association. Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases and by carefully checking the bibliographies of retrieved full reports and related reviews. Eligible studies were observational studies that investigated the association between dairy products consumption and risk of MetS in adults, with risk estimates available. Random-effects model was assigned to calculate the summary risk estimates. The final analysis included 15 cross-sectional studies, one case-control study and seven prospective cohort studies. Higher dairy consumption significantly reduced MetS by 17% in the cross-sectional/case-control studies (odds ratio = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73–0.94) and by 14% (relative risk [RR] = 0.86, 95% CI, 0.79–0.92) in cohort studies. The inverse dairy-MetS association was consistent in subgroup and sensitivity analyses. The dose-response analysis of the cohort studies conferred a significant 6% (RR = 0.94, 95% CI, 0.90–0.98) reduction in the risk of MetS for each increment in dairy consumption of one serving/d. No significant publication bias was observed. Our findings suggest an inverse dose-response relationship between dairy consumption and risk of MetS.
Flower-like supramolecular self-assembly of phosphonic acid appended naphthalene diimide and melamine
Authors: Bhosale Rajesh S , Al Kobaisi Mohammad , Bhosale Sidhanath V. , Bhargava Suresh , Bhosale Sheshanath V.
Published: September 2015

Diverse supramolecular assemblies ranging from nanometres to micrometers of small aromatic π-conjugated functional molecules have attracted enormous research interest in light of their applications in optoelectronics, chemosensors, nanotechnology, biotechnology and biomedicines. Here we study the mechanism of the formation of a flower-shaped supramolecular structure of phosphonic acid appended naphthalene diimide with melamine. The flower-shaped assembly formation was visualised by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging, furthermore, XRD and DLS used to determined mode of aggregation. Characteristically, phosphonic acid-substituted at imide position of NDIs possess two important properties resulting in the formation of controlled flower-like nanostructures: (i) the aromatic core of the NDI which is designed to optimize the dispersive interactions (π-π stacking and van der Waals interactions) between the cores within a construct and (ii) phosphonic acid of NDI interact with malamine through molecular recognition i.e. strong hydrogen-bonding (H-bonding). We believe such arrangements prevent crystallization and favour the directional growth of flower-like nanostructure in 3D fashion. These works demonstrate that complex self-assembly can indeed be attained through hierarchical non-covalent interactions of two components. Furthermore, flower-like structures built from molecular recognition by these molecules indicate their potential in other fields if combined with other chemical entities.
Fast probe of local electronic states in nanostructures utilizing a single-lead quantum dot
Authors: Otsuka Tomohiro , Amaha Shinichi , Nakajima Takashi , Delbecq Matthieu R. , Yoneda Jun , Takeda Kenta , Sugawara Retsu , Allison Giles , Ludwig Arne , Wieck Andreas D. , Tarucha Seigo
Published: September 2015

Transport measurements are powerful tools to probe electronic properties of solid-state materials. To access properties of local electronic states in nanostructures, such as local density of states, electronic distribution and so on, micro-probes utilizing artificial nanostructures have been invented to perform measurements in addition to those with conventional macroscopic electronic reservoirs. Here we demonstrate a new kind of micro-probe: a fast single-lead quantum dot probe, which utilizes a quantum dot coupled only to the target structure through a tunneling barrier and fast charge readout by RF reflectometry. The probe can directly access the local electronic states with wide bandwidth. The probe can also access more electronic states, not just those around the Fermi level and the operations are robust against bias voltages and temperatures.
Leptin levels are reduced by intravenous ghrelin administration and correlated with cue-induced alcohol craving
Authors: Haass-Koffler C L , Aoun E G , Swift R M , de la Monte S M , Kenna G A , Leggio L
Published: September 2015

Increasing evidence supports the role of appetite-regulating pathways, including ghrelin and leptin, in alcoholism. This study tested the hypothesis that intravenous exogenous ghrelin administration acutely decreases endogenous serum leptin levels, and that changes in leptin levels negatively correlate with alcohol craving. This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled human laboratory study. Non-treatment-seeking, alcohol-dependent, heavy drinkers (n=45) were randomized to receive intravenous ghrelin or placebo, followed by a cue-reactivity procedure, during which participants were exposed to neutral (juice) and alcohol trial cues. There was a main effect for intravenous ghrelin administration, compared with placebo, in reducing serum leptin levels (P<0.01). Post hoc analysis showed significant differences in serum leptin levels at the alcohol trial (P<0.05) that persisted at the end of the experiment (P<0.05). By contrast, there were no significant differences in serum leptin levels at the juice trial (P=not significant (NS)). The change of serum leptin level at the alcohol trial correlated with the increase in alcohol urge (P<0.05), whereas urge to drink juice was not correlated with the leptin change at the juice trial (P=NS). These findings provide preliminary evidence of ghrelin–leptin cross-talk in alcoholic individuals and suggest that their relationship may have a role in alcohol craving.
Children with autism spectrum disorders, who improved with a luteolin-containing dietary formulation, show reduced serum levels of TNF and IL-6
Authors: Tsilioni I , Taliou A , Francis K , Theoharides T C
Published: September 2015

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been associated with brain inflammation as indicated by microglia activation, as well as brain expression and increased plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Here we report that serum levels of IL-6 and TNF were elevated (61.95±94.76 pg ml−1 and 313.8±444.3 pg ml−1, respectively) in the same cohort of patients with elevated serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and neurotensin (NT), while IL-9, IL-31 and IL-33 were not different from controls. The elevated CRH and NT levels did not change after treatment with a luteolin-containing dietary formulation. However, the mean serum IL-6 and TNF levels decreased significantly (P=0.036 and P=0.015, respectively) at the end of the treatment period (26 weeks) as compared with levels at the beginning; these decreases were strongly associated with children whose behavior improved the most after luteolin formulation treatment. Our results indicate that there are distinct subgroups of children within the ASDs that may be identifiable through serum levels of IL-6 and TNF and that these cytokines may constitute distinct prognostic markers for at least the beneficial effect of luteolin formulation.
The Next Generation of Drinking Water Disinfection By-Products: Occurrence, Formation, Toxicity, and New Links with Human Epidemiology
Authors: Richardson Susan D. , Postigo Cristina
Published: September 2015

Drinking water disinfection by-products (DBPs) are an unintended consequence of using disinfectants to kill harmful pathogens in drinking water. DBPs are formed by the reaction of disinfectants with natural organic matter (NOM) and bromide or iodide; precursors can also involve pollutants, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, antibacterial agents, estrogens, textile dyes, bisphenol A, parabens, surfactants, and algal toxins. In addition, DBPs can be formed in swimming pool water. Eleven DBPs are currently regulated in the United States, but more than 600 have been identified. Human health concerns include bladder cancer, miscarriage, and birth defects in drinking water and also asthma from heavy exposure to indoor swimming pools. Emerging, unregulated DBPs include halonitromethanes, iodo-trihalomethanes, iodo-acids, haloamides, halofuranones, haloacetonitriles, nitrosamines, and halobenzoquinones. Many of these unregulated DBPs are more genotoxic or cytotoxic than those currently regulated. This proceedings chapter discusses these issues, along with precursors and mechanisms for the formation of this next generation of DBPs, as well as new links with epidemiology.
Characterisation of Organic Nitrogen in Algal Organic Matter and Formation of N-DBPs After Chlorination
Authors: Li Xiang , Joll Cynthia , Linge Kathryn , Khan Stuart J. , Henderson Rita K.
Published: September 2015

Drinking water quality can be impacted by the presence of algogenic organic matter (AOM), rich in dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) that can act as precursors of nitrogenous disinfection by-products (N-DBPs). Better characterisation of algogenic DON is therefore important in order to optimise treatment processes so that N-DBP concentrations in treated water are minimised. This paper characterises the DON exuded by the green algae Chlorella vulgaris and the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa and Anabaena circinalis using ultrafiltration, measurements of total organic carbon and total nitrogen (TOC/TN), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), and size exclusion liquid chromatography detection with organic carbon and nitrogen detection (SEC-LC-OCD-OND). Potential N-DBP formation of three haloacetonitriles (HANs), two halonitromethanes (HNMs) and two haloacetamides (HAAms) was evaluated by chlorination of fractional AOM with a mass ratio of free Cl2: TOC of 8:2, and subsequently measuring target N-DBPs using GC-MS. Results showed that AOM primarily contained org-N contents at >50 kDa and around 1 kDa. Among the chlorinated AOM, only HANs were detected in N-DBP formation experiments. The algal species and fractions containing higher org-N content produced greater HAN. The fractional high molecular weight (HMW) AOM (1–50 kDa) of Anabaena circinalis had the highest yield of dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN) at 2.4 µgL−1 or 1.2 µgmg−1C−1. Overall, there was more N-DBP formation from HMW AOM fractions than low molecular weight (LMW) AOM fractions.
Ocurrence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Their Chlorination By-Products in Drinking Water and the Coatings of Water Pipes
Authors: Tillner J. , Bach C. , Hollard C. , Rosin C. , Munoz J. F. , Dauchy X.
Published: September 2015

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be formed during incomplete combustion of organic materials and occur in products derived from fossil fuels such as coal tar or asphalt. The presence of PAHs in drinking water is rarely originating from raw water but from the water distribution systems. Indeed, until the 1970s, steel and cast iron water pipes in Europe were commonly lined with coal tar pitch to prevent corrosion. Although coal tar was then replaced by other materials, many coal tar lined systems are still in use today. Coal tar contains PAHs which have been shown to migrate in drinking water. Although water chlorination has been proven effective in reducing PAHs levels, this type of disinfection can formed chlorinated, hydroxylated and oxidised by-products. These reaction products exhibit greater toxicity than their PAHs precursors. The aim of this study was to assess the potential exposure to PAHs and their by-products due to drinking water. Several sampling campaigns were conducted in French communities with a drinking water distribution network known for recurrently showing not negligible PAHs concentrations. Seventeen PAHs and 11 potential chlorinated by-products were analysed in drinking water samples from two distribution networks using different disinfection agents (ClO2 and chlorine). The analysis of presumably coal tar-based pipe coatings of two pipe sections was also performed. The analytical method was based on solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MSn). The limit of quantification was 10ng/L for all target compounds. PAHs with less than five aromatic rings were the most frequently detected in all studied networks although the individual compositions varied. Five PAHs chlorination by-products (anthraquinone, fluorenone, cyclopenta[d,e,f]phenanthrenone, 3-chlorofluoranthene, and 1-chloropyrene) were identified, their presence is closely correlated to that of their respective precursor. In the coatings, the same PAHs and chlorination by-products found in drinking water were observed, suggesting that the reaction of PAHs with disinfectant agents takes place in the coatings and not in the water phase after migration. To our knowledge, this is the first time that chloropyrene and cyclopenta[d,e,f]phenanthrenone were found in drinking water and linked to reactions of chlorine with constituents of coal tar pipe coatings.
Iodo-THM Formation During Chlorination of Source Waters With Naturally Occurring Ammonium and High Sodium Content
Authors: Tugulea A.-M. , Aranda-Rodriguez R. , Giddings M. , Lemieux F. , Hnatiw J.
Published: September 2015

The current study investigates the occurrence and specific conditions that favour the formation of iodo-THMs during the disinfection of source waters with elevated sodium content (over 200 mg/L sodium) and naturally occurring ammonium. Based on the previous data, the current study focused on 16 water treatment plants (WTPs) using source waters with sodium content between 10 mg/L and 760 mg/L and naturally occurring ammonium. Source water, treated water and mid-point distribution water samples were collected under both winter and summer conditions. Samples were stabilized, shipped cold, and analysed within 4 days from collection for the six iodo-THMs, using solid phase micro extraction gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (SPME-GC-ECD). Data for 20 other neutral DBPs (including THMs, haloacetaldehydes, haloacetonitriles, chloropicrin, cyanogen chloride, cyanogen bromide), 7 nitrosamines, as well as general water quality parameters, elemental analysis, free/total chlorine and bromide concentrations, were also collected. Questionnaires were used to collect information about the plant treatment processes. One or more of the iodo-THM congeners were detected in 15/16 WTPs investigated. Maximum total iodo-THM concentrations determined in the survey ranged from 0.11 µg/L to 26.82 µg/L. The maximum total iodo-THM concentrations were > 1 µg/L, in 8/16 WTPs and the highest maximum total iodo-THM concentration of >10 µg/L was seen in 4/16 WTPs. The total concentrations and the speciation of iodo-THMs were strongly influenced by the presence of ammonium in the source water and by the treatment regime (e.g., free chlorine residual). The bromide content of the source water did not have a significant influence on iodo-THM concentrations or speciation. The results of this study show that elevated sodium levels and the presence of naturally occurring ammonium in the source water are good markers for selecting WTP with the potential to form elevated levels of iodo-THMs in the treated water and thus, could provide the basis for future decisions regarding changing secondary disinfectant from chlorine to chloramine. This is important in Canada since WTPs using water sources with elevated salinity typically have difficulty maintaining the total THM levels to within the guideline level of 100 µg/L. These findings also support the need to monitor for naturally occurring ammonia, especially in high saline waters. Because iodo-THMs were found to occur in a large number of the systems investigated, more information about the toxicology of iodo-THMs would be important in assessing the potential risks for human exposure to iodo-THMs.