bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Nordic diet and cognition – The DR's EXTRA Study
Authors: Männikkö Reija , Komulainen Pirjo , Schwab Ursula , Heikkilä Harri M. , Savonen Kai , Hassinen Maija , Hänninen Tuomo , Kivipelto Miia , Rauramaa Rainer
Published: June 2015

The rapid increase in the prevalence of dementia associated with ageing populations has stimulated interest in identifying modifiable lifestyle factors that could prevent cognitive impairment. One such potential preventive lifestyle factor is the Nordic diet that has been shown to reduce the risk of CVD; however, its effect on cognition has not been studied. The aim of the present study was to estimate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of the baseline Nordic diet with cognitive function at baseline and after a 4-year follow-up in a population-based random sample (n1140 women and men, age 57–78 years) as secondary analyses of the Finnish Dose-Responses to Exercise Training study. The Nordic diet score was created based on reported dietary components in 4-d food records. Cognition was assessed by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological battery and the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE). The baseline Nordic diet score had been positively associated with Verbal Fluency (β 0·08 (95 % CI 0·00, 0·16),P= 0·039) and Word List Learning (β 0·06 (95 % CI 0·01, 0·10),P= 0·022) at 4 years but not with the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease total score (CERAD-TS) or MMSE at 4 years, after adjustment for baseline cognitive scores, demographic factors and health-related factors. After excluding individuals with impaired cognition at baseline, the baseline Nordic diet score had also been positively associated with the CERAD-TS (β 0·10 (95 % CI 0·00, 0·20),P= 0·042) and MMSE (β 0·03 (95 % CI 0·00, 0·06),P= 0·039) at 4 years. These associations disappeared after further adjustment for energy intake. In conclusion, the Nordic diet might have a positive association with cognition in individuals with normal cognition.
Interactions between pupae of the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) and parasitoids in aPinusforest
Authors: Bonsignore C.P. , Manti F. , Castiglione E.
Published: June 2015

Parasitoids are significant enemies of many economically important insects and there is some evidence to suggest that their actions have a role in terminating the outbreaks of forest Lepidoptera populations. In this study, we examined the impact of parasitoids on the pupae of the pine processionary moth, and highlighted the presence of several parasitoid species for this developmental stage. A higher rate of parasitism was found when the pupal density in the soil was reduced, but the rate of parasitism was not influenced by pupal morphological traits or by the presence or absence of a cocoon around a pupa. Of the external factors examined, a delay in the time of descent of larvae from the trees had a positive effect on the level of parasitism. Observational data indicated that dipteran and hymenopteran were the most abundant parasitoids to emerge from moth pupae. Our study highlights the complexity of the parasitoid–host dynamics, and stresses the importance of carefully determining environmental effects on host–parasitoid relations.
Composition, proteolysis indices and coagulating properties of ewe milk as affected by bulk tank somatic cell count
Authors: Martí-De Olives Ana , Navarro-Ríos María Jesús , Rubert-Alemán Joaquín , Fernández Nemesio , Molina Maria Pilar
Published: June 2015

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of ovine bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC) on composition, proteose-peptone (p-p) content and casein fractions as indicating parameters for proteolysis and coagulating properties of milk. A total of 97 samples of bulk tank milk from Manchega breed ewe flocks were grouped according to somatic cell count (SCC) into four classes: fewer than 500 000 cells/ml, from 500 000 to 10 00 000 cells/ml, from 10 00 000 to 15 00 000 and more than 15 00 000 cells/ml. The casein : protein ratio and lactose content decreased with BTSCC. Proteolysis increased with BTSCC, causing a drop in β-casein and an increase in the γ-caseins from a concentration of 500 000 cells/ml. Regarding coagulation behaviour, the rennet clotting time (RCT) and firming time (k20) rose from 10 00 000–15 00 000 cells/ml of milk. The results showed that the impairment of milk quality and milk ability to make cheese as affected by intramammary infection (IMI) can be inferred from the bulk tank milk of flocks with poor udder health.
Licence to Kill: The Murderous Outrages Act and the rule of law in colonial India, 1867–1925
Authors: CONDOS MARK
Published: June 2015

In 1867, the Government of India passed one of the most brutal-minded and draconian laws ever created in colonial India. Known as the ‘Murderous Outrages Act’, this law gave colonial officials along the North-West Frontier wide powers to transgress India's legal codes in order to summarily execute and dispose of individuals identified as ‘fanatics’. Arguments for the creation and preservation of this law invariably centred around claims about the purportedly ‘exceptional’ character of frontier governance, particularly the idea that this was a region that existed in a perpetual state of war and crisis. Far from being peripheral in its impact, this article explores how this law both drew upon and enabled a wider legal culture that pervaded India in the wake of 1857. It argues that this law was a signal example of British attempts to mask the brute power of executive authority through legalistic terms, and was also evocative of a distinctly ‘warlike’ logic of colonial legality.
The Hope of Creation: The Significance of ἐφ’ ἑλπίδι (Rom 8.20c) in Context
Authors: Duncan John
Published: June 2015

This paper explores the meaning of ἐφ’ ἑλπίδι in Rom 8.20c. This phrase has been variously understood as denoting a hope exercised by the one who subjected creation or a hope inhering in creation despite its subjection. After surveying and evaluating the standard proposals, I argue for an alternative manner of punctuating vv. 19–21 that makes it possible to preserve the most common meaning of ἐπί with the dative, while also taking creation itself as the agent that acts ἐφ’ ἑλπίδι. This proposal obviates a number of difficulties with conventional readings, and highlights the parallels between Paul's statements about the hope of creation in vv. 19–21 and the hope of believers in vv. 24–5.
A Lycopolitan Forgery of John's Gospel
Authors: Askeland Christian
Published: June 2015

The internet publication of a Coptic Gospel of John fragment demonstrated that both it and the relatedGospel of Jesus' Wifefragment were modern creations. The Coptic John fragment was clearly copied from Herbert Thompson's 1924 publication of the Lycopolitan Qau codex, and shared the same hand, ink and writing instrument with theGospel of Jesus' Wifefragment. The present discussion will first survey the extant Coptic tradition of John's Gospel, and second outline the evidence for dependence on the Qau codex publication.
TheGospel of Jesus' Wife: Constructing a Context
Authors: Gathercole Simon
Published: June 2015

It has been proposed that references to Jesus' relationship to Mary Magdalene in theGospel of Philiprepresent a possible context for an early gospel fragment in which Jesus refers to her as ‘My wife’. It will be argued here that Mary's relationship to Jesus inPhilipis determined by her role as privileged recipient of revelation, not by her marital status. More significant in accounting for the Jesus' Wife fragment is theGospel of Thomas, which the author appears to have known in precisely the text-form represented by the one surviving Coptic exemplar.
Material Criteria and their Clues for Dating
Authors: Krutzsch Myriam , Rabin Ira
Published: June 2015

This article is concerned with material aspects of the ‘Jesus’ Wife' fragment. Following an analysis of the papyrus which confirms that it is indeed of ancient manufacture, the scientific tests carried out on both the papyrus and the ink are critically assessed and shown to be of little or no value in determining the date of the writing.
How a Papyrus Fragment Became a Sensation
Authors: Robinson Gesine Schenke
Published: June 2015

When the ‘Jesus’ Wife' fragment was first made public at a conference for Coptic Studies, it generated worldwide media interest but met with increasingly sceptical responses from scholars with expertise in the most directly relevant fields. A summary of the grounds for scepticism, written shortly after the conference, is here published for the first time. Since then the collaborative efforts of a number of scholars have confirmed that the case against an ancient origin is overwhelming.
Socialising place attachment: place, social memory and embodied affordances
Authors: DEGNEN CATHRINE
Published: June 2015

The significance of place attachment for later life has been convincingly demonstrated. Scholars have offered useful models that help account for the depth of feeling bound up in place attachment in later life, how this attachment is achieved, and its relevance for belonging and identity. To date, however, this focus has largely been on the individual level of experience. This article draws on sociological and anthropological perspectives to consider how place attachment is forged and experienced in dynamic interaction with other entities and other processes: how place attachment is also a collective, relational and embodied process, caught up and experienced via social memory practices and sensorial, bodily knowledge. This resonates with and contributes to the ‘relational turn’ which has attracted burgeoning interest in the larger home disciplines of sociology, human geography and anthropology, and reciprocally helps them extend and build their interaction with critical ageing studies. In making this argument, I draw on two periods of anthropological, ethnographic participant-observation that I conducted in a semi-rural village in the former coalfields in South Yorkshire, England.
Transcatheter device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect in children treated with prophylactic oral steroids: acute and mid-term results of a single-centre, prospective, observational study
Authors: Thakkar Bhavesh , Patel Nehal , Bohora Shomu , Bhalodiya Dharmin , Singh Tarandeep , Madan Tarun , Shah Saurin , Poptani Vishal , Shukla Anand
Published: June 2015

Background and Objective

Although transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect is emerging as an accepted, viable alternative, conduction disturbances still remain a major concern. Although steroid treatment has shown encouraging results with complete recovery, efficacy of prophylactic use of steroids is still speculative. We aim to study the mid-term outcome of perimembranous ventricular septal defect closure in children who received prophylactic oral steroids.

Materials and methods

A prospective study was designed and antegrade device closure was attempted in eligible children who met the following inclusion criteria: age 3–18 years and weight >10 kg, defect diameter ⩽12 mm, and symptomatic, haemodynamic changes or history of infective endocarditis. Prophylactic steroid protocol consisted of 2 weeks oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) initiated immediately after the procedure, and in the event of bradyarrhythmia it was escalated to 2 mg/kg. Patients were regularly followed-up at 1, 6, and 12 months and then annually. Patients with post-procedure heart block underwent Holter monitoring after a minimum of 1 year interval.

Results

Between May, 2007 and August, 2012, successful device closure was accomplished in 290/297 patients. Mean age and weight were 9±3.12 years and 21±8.27 kg, respectively. The defect measured 5±1.38 mm on echocardiography. Mean fluoroscopy time was 12.98±8.64 minutes. Eight patients with major complications included one each with device embolisation, haemolysis, severe aortic regurgitation, and five with bradyarrhythmias, including complete atrioventricular block in three, Mobitz II in one, and bifascicular block in one. Patients with complete atrioventricular block responded to high-dose steroid and temporary pacemaker. Minor complications included post-procedure heart block (n=22) and blood loss (n=2). At 18.23±13.15 months follow-up, 8/27 (five major, 22 minor) with arrhythmia had persistent post-procedure heart block of no clinical consequences.

Conclusion

In our patient population, transcatheter device closure of the perimembranous ventricular septal defect with prophylactic oral steroid resulted in excellent closure rate and acceptably low incidence of conduction disturbances at mid-term follow-up.
Deep-water observation of scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna lewini in the western Indian Ocean off Tanzania
Authors: Moore Alec B.M. , Gates Andrew R.
Published: June 2015

A scalloped hammerheadSphyrna lewiniwas observed opportunistically from a remotely operated vehicle 1 m off the seabed at 1042 m depth, during hydrocarbon exploration activities in the Ruvuma Basin off Tanzania. The observation, which occurred during night hours, is the deepest accurately recorded for this species and the first deep-water record for the Indian Ocean. The record adds support for the occurrence in deep water during night hours being a widespread and possibly common behaviour in this species, and further expands a small but growing literature that meso- and bathypelagic environments may be of greater importance to elasmobranchs previously considered to be primarily epipelagic.
ADHS bei Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen
Authors: Merkt Julia , Petermann Franz
Published: June 2015

Das Jugendalter von 16 bis 21 Jahren geht mit spezifischen Entwicklungsaufgaben und Risiken einher. Jugendliche mit ADHS sind durch ihre Hyperaktivität, Impulsivität und Unaufmerksamkeit besonders vulnerabel für eine ungünstige Entwicklung. Eine Literaturanalyse zeigt, dass Substanzmissbrauch und Delinquenz besonders häufig als spezifische Risiken für Jugendliche mit ADHS erforscht werden. Weitere risikobelastete Entwicklungsaufgaben für Jugendliche mit ADHS sind: Autonomie von den Eltern, Einstieg in das Ehe- und Familienleben, Aufbau von Freundschaften, Berufseinstieg, Akzeptieren der körperlichen Erscheinung. Entwicklungsaufgaben, die schon erfolgreich angegangen wurden, können eine schützende oder kompensatorische Wirkung haben und als Ressource genutzt werden. Für Betroffene die im jungen Erwachsenenalter erstmalig einen Psychiater aufsuchen, stellt eine spät erstellte ADHS-Diagnose eine besondere Problematik dar. Bei Betroffenen, die schon in der Kindheit eine ADHS-Diagnose erhalten haben, muss die weitere Behandlung trotz teilweise geringer Compliance bewerkstelligt werden. Unabhängig vom Zeitpunkt der Diagnose sind Jugendliche mit ADHS besonders vulnerabel und benötigen im Übergang von der kinder- in die erwachsenenpsychiatrische Behandlung eine gute Strukturierung und engmaschige Unterstützung bei der Bewältigung zentraler Entwicklungsaufgaben.
De Novo Expression of Dopamine D2 Receptors on Microglia after Stroke
Authors: Huck Jojanneke HJ , Freyer Dorette , Böttcher Chotima , Mladinov Mihovil , Muselmann-Genschow Claudia , Thielke Mareike , Gladow Nadine , Bloomquist Dana , Mergenthaler Philipp , Priller Josef
Published: June 2015

Dopamine is the predominant catecholamine in the brain and functions as a neurotransmitter. Dopamine is also a potent immune modulator. In this study, we have characterized the expression of dopamine receptors on murine microglia. We found that cultured primary microglia express dopamine D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5 receptors. We specifically focused on the D2 receptor (D2R), a major target of antipsychotic drugs. Whereas D2Rs were strongly expressed on striatal neurons in vivo, we did not detect any D2R expression on resident microglia in the healthy brains of wild-type mice or transgenic mice expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the Drd2 promoter. However, cerebral ischemia induced the expression of D2R on Iba1-immunoreactive inflammatory cells in the infarct core and penumbra. Notably, D2R expression was confined to CD45hi cells, and GFP BM chimeras revealed that D2R was expressed on activated resident microglia as well as on peripherally derived macrophages in the ischemic brain. Importantly, the D2/3R agonist, pramipexole, enhanced the secretion of nitrite by cultured microglia in response to proinflammatory stimuli. Thus, dopamine may serve as a modulator of microglia function during neuroinflammation.
Enantiomer-specific analysis of multi-component mixtures by correlated electron imaging–ion mass spectrometry
Authors: Fanood Mohammad M Rafiee , Ram N. Bhargava , Lehmann C. Stefan , Powis Ivan , Janssen Maurice H. M.
Published: June 2015

Simultaneous, enantiomer-specific identification of chiral molecules in multi-component mixtures is extremely challenging. Many established techniques for single-component analysis fail to provide selectivity in multi-component mixtures and lack sensitivity for dilute samples. Here we show how enantiomers may be differentiated by mass-selected photoelectron circular dichroism using an electron–ion coincidence imaging spectrometer. As proof of concept, vapours containing ∼1% of two chiral monoterpene molecules, limonene and camphor, are irradiated by a circularly polarized femtosecond laser, resulting in multiphoton near-threshold ionization with little molecular fragmentation. Large chiral asymmetries (2–4%) are observed in the mass-tagged photoelectron angular distributions. These asymmetries switch sign according to the handedness (R- or S-) of the enantiomer in the mixture and scale with enantiomeric excess of a component. The results demonstrate that mass spectrometric identification of mixtures of chiral molecules and quantitative determination of enantiomeric excess can be achieved in a table-top instrument.
Controlled synthesis of series NixCo3-xO4 products: Morphological evolution towards quasi-single-crystal structure for high-performance and stable lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhou Yu , Liu Yong , Zhao Wenxia , Wang Hai , Li Baojun , Zhou Xiang , Shen Hui
Published: June 2015

Transition metal oxides are very promising alternative anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, their conversion reactions and concomitant volume expansion cause the pulverization, leading to poor cycling stability, which limit their applications. Here, we present the quasi-single-crystal NixCo3-xO4 hexagonal microtube (QNHM) composed of continuously twinned single crystal submicron-cubes as anode materials for LIBs with high energy density and long cycle life. At the current density of 0.8 A g−1, it can deliver a high discharge capacities of 1470 mAh g−1 over 100 cycles (105% of the 2nd cycle) and 590 mAh g−1 even after 1000 cycles. To better understand what underlying factors lead our QNHMs to achieve excellent electrochemical performance, a series of NixCo3-xO4 products with systematic shape evolution from spherical to polyhedral and cubic particles as well as circular microtubes consisted of spheres and square microtubes composed of polyhedra have been synthesized. The excellent electrochemical performance of QNHMs is attributed to the unique stable quasi-single-crystal structure, which can both provide efficient electrical transport pathway and suppress the electrode pulverization. It is important to note that such quasi-single-crystal structure would be helpful to explore other high-energy lithium storage materials based on alloying or conversion reactions.
A label-free fluorescent sensor for the detection of Pb2+ and Hg2+
Authors: Xu Hanchu , Zhan Shenshan , Zhang Dongwei , Xia Bing , Zhan Xuejia , Wang Lumei , Zhou Pei
Published: June 2015

A fluorescent sensor for the determination of Pb2+ and Hg2+ by using SYBR Green I and an integrated functional nucleic acid.
Tuning PCP–Ir complexes: the impact of an N-heterocyclic olefin
Authors: Iglesias Manuel , Iturmendi Amaia , Sanz Miguel Pablo J. , Polo Victor , Pérez-Torrente Jesús J. , Oro Luis A.
Published: June 2015

A flexible N-heterocyclic olefin (NHO) allows the adoption of facial coordination modes in Ir(i) or meridional in Ir(iii) complexes due to the dual nature (ylide–olefin) of the NHO scaffold. This results in a rare case of olefin “slippage” that is supported by X-ray crystallography and DFT calculations.
PLA2-responsive and SPIO-loaded phospholipid micelles
Authors: Gao Qiang , Yan Lesan , Chiorazzo Michael , James Delikatny E. , Tsourkas Andrew , Cheng Zhiliang
Published: June 2015

PLA2-responsive and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticle-loaded phospholipid micelles were developed. The release of a phospholipid-conjugated dye from these micelles was triggered due to phospholipid degradation by phospholipase A2. The high relaxivity of the encapsulated SPIO could enable non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging.
Gold(i)-catalysed cascade reactions in the synthesis of 2,3-fused indole derivatives
Authors: Gimeno Ana , Rodríguez-Gimeno Alejandra , Cuenca Ana B. , Ramírez de Arellano Carmen , Medio-Simón Mercedes , Asensio Gregorio
Published: June 2015

Unactivated alkenes and 1,3-unsubstituted indoles in gold(i)-catalysed hydroaminative/arylative cascade cyclizations.
A solventless mix–bake–wash approach to the facile controlled synthesis of core–shell and alloy Ag–Cu bimetallic nanoparticles
Authors: Choi Eunjin , Lee Sohee , Piao Yuanzhe
Published: June 2015

A solventless mix–bake–wash method using salt powder was developed to fabricate uniform Ag–Cu core–shell and alloy bimetallic nanoparticles.
Unusual denaturation trajectory of bovine gamma globulin studied by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
Authors: Nag Moupriya , Das Debajyoti , Bandyopadhyay Diptankar , Basak Soumen
Published: June 2015

FCS study of GdnHCl-induced denaturation of the multi-domain protein, gamma globulin, showed unexpected features such as initial compactification followed by electrostatic interaction-driven expansion before disintegration into small fragments.
The role of a structure directing agent tetramethylammonium template in the initial steps of silicate oligomerization in aqueous solution
Authors: Trinh Thuat T. , Tran Khanh-Quang , Zhang Xue-Qing , van Santen Rutger A. , Meijer Evert Jan
Published: June 2015

The understanding of the formation of silicate oligomers in the initial stage of zeolite synthesis is of fundamental scientific and technological importance.
High order forces and nonlocal operators in a Kohn–Sham Hamiltonian
Authors: Scott Bobbitt N. , Schofield Grady , Lena Charles , Chelikowsky James R.
Published: June 2015

Real space pseudopotentials have a number of advantages in solving for the electronic structure of materials.
Solid–liquid critical behavior of a cylindrically confined Lennard-Jones fluid
Authors: Mochizuki Kenji , Koga Kenichiro
Published: June 2015

Evidence for a solid–liquid critical point of a quasi-one-dimensional Lennard-Jones fluid is provided.
Vibrational spectra and structures of SinC clusters (n = 3–8)
Authors: Truong Nguyen Xuan , Savoca Marco , Harding Dan J. , Fielicke André , Dopfer Otto
Published: June 2015

The geometries of C-doped silicon clusters determined from infrared spectroscopy and computational chemistry reveal the stable Si3C unit as a common structural motif.
A hybrid density functional theory study of the anion distribution and applied electronic properties of the LaTiO2N semiconductor photocatalyst
Authors: Wang Xin , Li Zhaosheng , Zou Zhigang
Published: June 2015

The LaTiO2N structure is theoretically obtained as aperiodic stacks of primitive cells.
Hydrothermal synthesis, evolution, and electrochemical performance of LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 nanostructures
Authors: Xiang Wei , Zhong Yan-Jun , Ji Jun-Yi , Tang Yan , Shen HuiHui , Guo Xiao-Dong , Zhong Ben-He , Dou Shi Xue , Zhang Zhi-Ye
Published: June 2015

Composition and crystallographic structural evolution of the intermediate involved in the organic free hydrothermal synthesis of LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 nanostructures.
Study of the reactivity of silica supported tantalum catalysts with oxygen followed by in situ HEROS
Authors: Błachucki Wojciech , Szlachetko Jakub , Kayser Yves , Dousse Jean-Claude , Hoszowska Joanna , Fernandes Daniel L. A. , Sá Jacinto
Published: June 2015

We report on the reactivity of grafted tantalum organometallic catalysts with molecular oxygen.
Insight into photofragment vector correlation by a multi-center impulsive model
Authors: Tsai Po-Yu , Lin King-Chuen
Published: June 2015

A multi-center impulsive model has been recently developed to characterize the dynamic feature of fragment vector correlation in photodissociation of formaldehyde, H2CO → CO + H2, via both transition state and roaming pathways.
Synthesis and characterization of a modified “picket fence” porphyrin complex – stronger π bonding interactions between Fe(ii) and axial ligands
Authors: He Baiyin , Schulz Charles E. , Li Jianfeng
Published: June 2015

The synthesis and characterization of [Fe(MbenTpivPP)(1-MeIm)2], a new species among bis(imidazole) iron(ii) porphyrinates, is reported. Investigations suggest a strong correlation between mutual ligand orientations (θ) and axial Fe–NIm bond distances.
Chiral porous metal–organic frameworks containing μ-oxo-bis[Ti(salan)] units for asymmetric cyanation of aldehydes
Authors: Du Xia , Li Zijian , Liu Yan , Yang Shiping , Cui Yong
Published: June 2015

Two chiral porous metal–organic frameworks containing μ-oxo-bis[Ti(salan)] dimers are constructed and shown to be efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalysts for asymmetric cyanation reaction of aldehydes.
Click made porphyrin–corrole dyad: a system for photo-induced charge separation
Authors: Nikolaou Vasilis , Karikis Kostas , Farré Yoann , Charalambidis Georgios , Odobel Fabrice , Coutsolelos Athanassios G.
Published: June 2015

The preparation of the first porphyrin–corrole dyad through click chemistry is described.
A 1D anionic lanthanide coordination polymer as an adsorbent material for the selective uptake of cationic dyes from aqueous solutions
Authors: Du Pei-Yao , Li Hui , Fu Xin , Gu Wen , Liu Xin
Published: June 2015

A 1D anionic lanthanide complex has been prepared that can serve as a potential functional material to selectively remove cationic dyes from wastewater, especially methylene blue.
Structural features and near infra-red (NIR) luminescence of isomeric Yb(iii) bipyridyl-N,N′-dioxide coordination polymers
Authors: Sequeira Gail M. , Tan Wayne Y. , Moore Evan G.
Published: June 2015

The synthesis and structural characterization of a series of lanthanide complexes formed from YbX3 salts (X = NO3− or CF3SO3−) and the isomeric 4,4′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide (4,4′-bpdo) or 3,3′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide (3,3′-bpdo) ligands has been undertaken by X-ray crystallography.
Pentafluoroethyl-substituted α-silanes: model compounds for new insights
Authors: Waerder Benedikt , Steinhauer Simon , Bader Julia , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans-Georg , Vishnevskiy Yury V. , Hoge Berthold , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: June 2015

A joint experimental/computational approach addresses the question on occurrence and nature of bonds between Si and N atoms in (C2F5)3Si-X-NMe2(X = CH2, O).
Dual luminescence in solid CuI(piperazine): hypothesis of an emissive 1-D delocalized excited state
Authors: Maini L. , Braga D. , Mazzeo P. P. , Maschio L. , Rérat M. , Manet I. , Ventura B.
Published: June 2015

Dual luminescence in crystals of [CuI(piperazine)0.5]∞ has been photophysically characterized and discussed on the basis of TD-DFT theoretical calculations.
Melatonin increases intracellular calcium in the liver, muscle, white adipose tissues and pancreas of diabetic obese rats
Authors: Agil A. , Elmahallawy E. K. , Rodríguez-Ferrer J. M. , Adem A. , Bastaki S. M. , Al-abbadi I. , Fino Solano Y. A. , Navarro-Alarcón M.
Published: June 2015

Melatonin, a widespread substance with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has been found to act as an antidiabetic agent in animal models, regulating the release and action of insulin.
A new peak recognition algorithm for detection of ultra-small nano-particles by single particle ICP-MS using rapid time resolved data acquisition on a sector-field mass spectrometer
Authors: Tuoriniemi Jani , Cornelis Geert , Hassellöv Martin
Published: June 2015

The size detection limit of single particle ICP-MS is improved by rapid data acquisition combined with a new peak recognition algorithm.
High-precision Fe isotopic analysis of whole blood for biomedical purposes without prior isolation of the target element
Authors: Anoshkina Yulia , Costas-Rodríguez Marta , Vanhaecke Frank
Published: June 2015

Accurate and precise isotopic analysis of Fe in whole blood using multi-collector mass spectrometry is possible after acid digestion and dilution, provided that mass discrimination is corrected for using a combination of internal and external correction.
Discovery of TRAF-2 and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK) inhibitors by ligand-based virtual screening methods
Authors: Bujak Anna , Stefaniak Filip , Zdzalik Daria , Grygielewicz Paulina , Dymek Barbara , Zagozda Marcin , Gunerka Pawel , Lamparska-Przybysz Monika , Dubiel Krzysztof , Wieczorek Maciej , Dzwonek Karolina
Published: June 2015

TRAF-2 and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK) is a serine–threonine kinase with a proposed role in Wnt/β-catenin and JNK pathways.
A green approach for the decoration of Pd nanoparticles on graphene nanosheets: An in situ process for the reduction of C–C double bonds and a reusable catalyst for the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction
Authors: Hussain Najrul , Borah Ashwini , Darabdhara Gitashree , Gogoi Pranjal , Azhagan Vedi Kuyil , Shelke Manjusha V. , Das Manash R.
Published: June 2015

In situ synthesis of Pd nanoparticles on graphene nanosheets with simultaneous reduction of alkene to alkane using hydrogen gas were utilized as efficient catalysts for the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction.
Direct writing of tunable multi-wavelength polymer lasers on a flexible substrate
Authors: Zhai Tianrui , Wang Yonglu , Chen Li , Zhang Xinping
Published: June 2015

Tunable multi-wavelength polymer lasers based on two-dimensional distributed feedback structures are fabricated on a transparent flexible substrate using interference ablation.
Azacyclo-auxiliary ligand-tuned SMMs of dibenzoylmethane Dy(iii) complexes
Authors: Dong Yanping , Yan Pengfei , Zou Xiaoyan , Li Guangming
Published: June 2015

A series of eight-coordinate β-diketone mononuclear dysprosium complexes exhibit field-induced SMM properties which can be tuned by the azacyclo-auxiliary ligands, showing different relaxation modes.
Development of solid super desiccants based on a polymeric superabsorbent hydrogel composite
Authors: Yang Yifan , Rana Dipak , Lan Christopher Q.
Published: June 2015

The innovative design of cross-linked sodium polyacrylate based solid super-desiccant is demonstrating 276 ± 20% 24 h vapor absorption capacity at 99% RH.
The chemistry and bioactivity of Southern African flora II: flavonoids, quinones and minor compound classes
Authors: Babiaka Smith B. , Ntie-Kang Fidele , Ndingkokhar Bakoh , Mbah James A. , Sippl Wolfgang , Yong Joseph N.
Published: June 2015

This review is intended to highlight the relevance of natural products in drug discovery paying particular attention to those derived from Southern African medicinal plants with diverse biological activities.
PtFe/nitrogen-doped graphene for high-performance electrooxidation of formic acid with composition sensitive electrocatalytic activity
Authors: Sun Yanfang , Zhou Ting , Pan Qingyan , Zhang Xiao , Guo Jinxue
Published: June 2015

A PtFe/N-doped graphene electrocatalyst with a reduced amount of Pt is developed, which shows a good catalytic performance for formic acid electrooxidation due to the synergistic effects between the NG substrate and PtFe nanoalloy.
A SERS study of oxidation of glutathione under plasma irradiation
Authors: Ma Shanshan , Huang Qing
Published: June 2015

This paper reports a new application of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) in analysis of oxidation of glutathione to oxidized glutathione, an important biochemical redox reaction in biological systems.
Hydrothermal assisted sol–gel synthesis and multisite luminescent properties of anatase TiO2:Eu3+ nanorods
Authors: Chang Meiqi , Song Yanhua , Zhang Hongguang , Sheng Ye , Zheng Keyan , Zhou Xiuqing , Zou Haifeng
Published: June 2015

The relationship between local structure of Eu3+ ions and luminescence properties were discussed through site-selective spectroscopy at 10 K.
On the relaxation dynamics in active pharmaceutical ingredients: solid-state1H NMR, quasi-elastic neutron scattering and periodic DFT study of acebutolol hydrochloride
Authors: Pajzderska A. , Drużbicki K. , Kiwilsza A. , Gonzalez M. A. , Jarek M. , Mielcarek J. , Wąsicki J.
Published: June 2015

Molecular dynamics of acebutolol hydrochloride was thoroughly explored by combining QENS and NMR experiments with solid-state DFT calculations.
Lithium-coordinating ionic conductor for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Li Juan , Wang Zhong-Sheng
Published: June 2015

A new solid-state ionic conductor is synthesized by linking an ether group to the nitrogen-atom of 1,2-dimethylimidazole with an iodide counter anion, and the single crystal structure is determined using X-ray crystallographic analysis.
C–C/C–N cross-coupling reactions of aryl sulfonates catalyzed by an eco-friendly and reusable heterogeneous catalyst: wool–Pd complex
Authors: Yang Quan-Lu , Quan Zheng-Jun , Du Bao-Xin , Wu Shang , Zhang Yin-Pan , Li Pei-Dong , Wang Ming-Ming , Lei Zi-Qiang , Wang Xi-Cun
Published: June 2015

A well-defined heterogeneous palladium catalyst, supported on wool fibre, was found to be an effective catalyst for the C–C/C–N coupling of pyrimidin-2-yl sulfonates with arylboronic acids, terminal alkynes or anilines in good to high yields.
Catalytic hydrogenation of isophthalonitrile (IPN) over supported monometallic and bimetallic catalysts
Authors: Liu Chang , Li Xiaodan , Wang Tiefeng
Published: June 2015

The Ni–Fe/γ-Al2O3 bimetallic catalyst showed enhanced activity and m-XDA selectivity in hydrogenation of IPN, due to strong N–metal interaction and weak H adsorption strength.
Natural radioactivity as an easy and quick parameter for describing the dynamic of the Planetary Boundary Layer
Authors: Avino Pasquale , Manigrasso Maurizio , Cuomo Francesca
Published: June 2015

This work describes a methodological approach based on natural radioactivity measurements aimed at interpreting air pollution episodes in urban air.
Effect of temperature perturbation on hydrogen bonding in aqueous solutions of different urea concentrations
Authors: Mafy Noushaba Nusrat , Afrin Tanjina , Rahman M. Muhibur , Mollah M. Yousuf A. , Susan Md. Abu Bin Hasan
Published: June 2015

Water structure modifications with urea and temperature have been studied in aqueous solution by analyzing changes in hydrogen bonding and the extent of aggregation.
Mechanism of enhancement in NH3 sensing for surface functionalized WO3 film
Authors: Srivastava Vibha , Jain Kiran
Published: June 2015

Screen-printed sensors are fabricated of surface functionalized normal and catalyzed SiO2 coatings on undoped and platinum doped WO3. Enhancement in ammonia response is due to increase in Schottky barrier height.
Films of bacteria at interfaces: three stages of behaviour
Authors: Vaccari Liana , Allan Daniel B. , Sharifi-Mood Nima , Singh Aayush R. , Leheny Robert L. , Stebe Kathleen J.
Published: June 2015

Films formed by bacteria at an oil-water interface display a varied series of dynamical and mechanical properties as they evolve through three stages of behavior: active, viscoelastic, and elastic.
Modeling the stretching of wormlike chains in the presence of excluded volume
Authors: Li Xiaolan , Schroeder Charles M. , Dorfman Kevin D.
Published: June 2015

An interpolation formula captures the effect of excluded volume on the force–extension of wormlike chains.
Age and Gender Effects on Wideband Absorbance in Adults With Normal Outer and Middle Ear Function
Authors: Mazlan Rafidah , Kei Joseph , Ya Cheng Li , Yusof Wan Nur Hanim Mohd , Saim Lokman , Zhao Fei
Published: June 2015

Purpose

This study examined the effects of age and gender on wideband energy absorbance in adults with normal middle ear function.

Method

Forty young adults (14 men, 26 women, aged 20–38 years), 31 middle-aged adults (16 men, 15 women, aged 42–64 years), and 30 older adults (20 men, 10 women, aged 65–82 years) were assessed. Energy absorbance (EA) data were collected at 30 frequencies using a prototype commercial instrument developed by Interacoustics.

Results

Results showed that the young adult group had significantly lower EA (between 400 and 560 Hz) than the middle-aged group. However, the middle-aged group showed significantly lower EA (between 2240 and 5040 Hz) than the young adult group. In addition, the older adult group had significantly lower EA than the young adult group (between 2520 and 5040 Hz). No significant difference in EA was found at any frequency between middle-aged and older adults. Across age groups, gender differences were found with men having significantly higher EA values than women at lower frequencies, whereas women had significantly higher EA at higher frequencies.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence of the influence of gender and age on EA in adults with normal outer and middle ear function. These findings support the importance of establishing age- and gender-specific EA norms for the adult population.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Late Neurologic Deterioration after C3–C6 Laminoplasty for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Authors: Sakaura Hironobu , Miwa Toshitada , Kuroda Yusuke , Ohwada Tetsuo
Published: June 2015

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Objective

We previously reported that the long-term neurologic outcomes of C3–C6 laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) are satisfactory, with reduced frequencies of postoperative axial neck pain and kyphotic deformity. However, only 20 patients were included, which is a limitation in that study. The present study investigated the incidence of late neurologic deterioration (LND) of myelopathic symptoms after C3–C6 laminoplasty for CSM and attempted to identify significant risk factors for LND in a larger patient population.

Methods

Subjects comprised 137 consecutive patients with CSM who underwent C3–C6 laminoplasty (bilateral open-door laminoplasty, n = 85; unilateral open-door laminoplasty, n = 52) and were followed for >24 months (mean follow-up, 70 months; range, 25 to 124 months). The patients’ medical records were examined for evidence of LND due to cervical myelopathy. The age at time of surgery, sex, surgical procedures, anteroposterior spinal canal diameter at the C7 level, type of C6 spinous process, pre- and postoperative C2–C7 angle, C3–C6 range of motion (ROM), and disk height at the C6–C7 level were analyzed to identify risk factors for LND.

Results

Three patients (2.2%) developed LND of myelopathic symptoms due to caudal segment pathology adjacent to the C3–C6 laminoplasty (LND group). In these three patients, mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score improved from 10.2 before surgery to 12.2 at the time of maximum recovery, and declined to 9.7 just before additional surgery. On the other hand, in 134 patients without LND (non-LND group), the mean JOA score significantly improved from 10.2 before surgery to 13.4 at the time of maximum recovery and was maintained by the final follow-up (13.2). Compared with the non-LND group, the LND group showed significantly smaller anteroposterior spinal canal diameter at C7, more restricted postoperative C3–C6 ROM, and greater postoperative decrease in disk height at C6–C7, although a logistic regression analysis showed no significant differences.

Conclusions

In patients with CSM with more severe developmental spinal canal stenosis at C7, accelerated degeneration at the caudal segment resulting from restricted C3–C6 ROM after C3–C6 laminoplasty might lead to LND.
Effect of excitation point on surface phonon fields in phononic crystals in real- and k-space
Authors: Otsuka P. H. , Chinbe R. , Tomoda M. , Matsuda O. , Veres I. A. , Lee J.-H. , Yoon J.-B. , Wright O. B.
Published: June 2015

We investigate surface phonon propagation in a triangular-lattice phononic crystal of microscopic holes in a gold-coated polymer by time-resolved two-dimensional imaging and by finite-element simulations at sub-gigahertz frequencies. The simulations allow the effects of exciting different points in the crystal lattice to be studied in real space, and also in k-space by spatiotemporal Fourier analysis. The acoustic field in a sub-surface plane below the reach of the holes is also revealed in real- and k-spaces. In addition, we demonstrate pitfalls in the analysis of k-space data when searching for the presence of band gaps. Applications include surface-acoustic wave filter quality control.
Observation of three dimensional optical rogue waves through obstacles
Authors: Leonetti Marco , Conti Claudio
Published: June 2015

We observe three-dimensional rogue waves in the speckle distribution of a spatially modulated optical beam. Light is transmitted beyond a partially reflecting obstacle generating optical rogue waves at a controlled position in the shadow of the barrier. When the barrier transmits only 0.07% of the input laser power, we observe the mostly localized event. These results demonstrate that an optimum amount of spatial non-homogeneity maximizes the probability of a gigantic event while the technique we exploit enables to control light behind a fully reflective wall.
Fragment-based 13C nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift predictions in molecular crystals: An alternative to planewave methods
Authors: Hartman Joshua D. , Monaco Stephen , Schatschneider Bohdan , Beran Gregory J. O.
Published: June 2015

We assess the quality of fragment-based ab initio isotropic 13C chemical shift predictions for a collection of 25 molecular crystals with eight different density functionals. We explore the relative performance of cluster, two-body fragment, combined cluster/fragment, and the planewave gauge-including projector augmented wave (GIPAW) models relative to experiment. When electrostatic embedding is employed to capture many-body polarization effects, the simple and computationally inexpensive two-body fragment model predicts both isotropic 13C chemical shifts and the chemical shielding tensors as well as both cluster models and the GIPAW approach. Unlike the GIPAW approach, hybrid density functionals can be used readily in a fragment model, and all four hybrid functionals tested here (PBE0, B3LYP, B3PW91, and B97-2) predict chemical shifts in noticeably better agreement with experiment than the four generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functionals considered (PBE, OPBE, BLYP, and BP86). A set of recommended linear regression parameters for mapping between calculated chemical shieldings and observed chemical shifts are provided based on these benchmark calculations. Statistical cross-validation procedures are used to demonstrate the robustness of these fits.
Photoelectron circular dichroism in the multiphoton ionization by short laser pulses. I. Propagation of single-active-electron wave packets in chiral pseudo-potentials
Authors: Artemyev Anton N. , Müller Anne D. , Hochstuhl David , Demekhin Philipp V.
Published: June 2015

A theoretical method to study the angle-resolved multiphoton ionization of polyatomic molecules is developed. It is based on the time-dependent formulation of the Single Center (TDSC) method and consists in the propagation of single-active-electron wave packets in the effective molecular potentials in the presence of intense laser pulses. For this purpose, the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for one electron, moving in a molecular field and interacting with an arbitrary laser pulse, is solved in spherical coordinates by an efficient numerical approach. As a test, the method is applied to the one- and two-photon ionizations of a model methane-like chiral system by circularly polarized short intense high-frequency laser pulses. Thereby, we analyze the photoelectron circular dichroism (PECD) in the momentum distribution. The considered model application illustrates the capability of the TDSC method to study multiphoton PECD in fixed-in-space and randomly oriented chiral molecules.
Interaction between indium tin oxide nanoparticles and cytochrome c: A surface-enhanced Raman scattering and absorption spectroscopic study
Authors: Yang Yimin , Du Deyang , Kong Fan , Fan Jiyang , Qiu Teng
Published: June 2015

Indium-tin-oxide (ITO) nanoparticles were annealed in vacuum or reducing atmosphere to obtain different surface structures and investigate their influence on the adsorptive character and conformation of cytochrome c (Cyt c) molecule. Annealing-induced morphometric or structural changes of ITO nanoparticles were characterized by instruments of transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and Raman scattering. Semiconductor ITO nanoparticle-enhanced Raman scattering of Cyt c was observed and the enhanced efficiency was found to closely depend on the surface structures which control the adsorbance of buffer anions needed for Cyt c loading. Direct electron transfer between Cyt c and ITO surface at the moment of molecular elastic collision was found and a reverse electron transfer process for O-terminated surface and metal-terminated surface was observed, according to absorption spectroscopic measurement on the residual solution.
Selective encapsulation by Janus particles
Authors: Li Wei , Ruth Donovan , Gunton James D. , Rickman Jeffrey M.
Published: June 2015

We employ Monte Carlo simulation to examine encapsulation in a system comprising Janus oblate spheroids and isotropic spheres. More specifically, the impact of variations in temperature, particle size, inter-particle interaction range, and strength is examined for a system in which the spheroids act as the encapsulating agents and the spheres as the encapsulated guests. In this picture, particle interactions are described by a quasi-square-well patch model. This study highlights the environmental adaptation and selectivity of the encapsulation system to changes in temperature and guest particle size, respectively. Moreover, we identify an important range in parameter space where encapsulation is favored, as summarized by an encapsulation map. Finally, we discuss the generalization of our results to systems having a wide range of particle geometries.
A Ku band pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer using an arbitrary waveform generator for quantum control experiments at millikelvin temperatures
Authors: Yap Yung Szen , Tabuchi Yutaka , Negoro Makoto , Kagawa Akinori , Kitagawa Masahiro
Published: June 2015

We present a 17 GHz (Ku band) arbitrary waveform pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer for experiments down to millikelvin temperatures. The spectrometer is located at room temperature, while the resonator is placed either in a room temperature magnet or inside a cryogen-free dilution refrigerator; the operating temperature range of the dilution unit is from ca. 10 mK to 8 K. This combination provides the opportunity to perform quantum control experiments on electron spins in the pure-state regime. At 0.6 T, spin echo experiments were carried out using γ-irradiated quartz glass from 1 K to 12.3 mK. With decreasing temperatures, we observed an increase in spin echo signal intensities due to increasing spin polarizations, in accordance with theoretical predictions. Through experimental data fitting, thermal spin polarization at 100 mK was estimated to be at least 99%, which was almost pure state. Next, to demonstrate the ability to create arbitrary waveform pulses, we generate a shaped pulse by superposing three Gaussian pulses of different frequencies. The resulting pulse was able to selectively and coherently excite three different spin packets simultaneously—a useful ability for analyzing multi-spin system and for controlling a multi-qubit quantum computer. By applying this pulse to the inhomogeneously broadened sample, we obtain three well-resolved excitations at 8 K, 1 K, and 14 mK.