bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection prevalence of H5N1 avian influenza virus among stray cats in eastern China
Authors: Zhao Fu‐Rong , Zhou Dong‐Hui , Zhang Yong‐Guang , Shao Jun‐Jun , Lin Tong , Li Yang‐Fan , Wei Ping , Chang Hui‐Yun
Published: May 2015

Since 1997, more and more cases of the infectious H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) in humans have been reported all over the world but the transmission of H5N1 avian influenza virus to stray cats has been little demonstrated. The objective of this pilot investigation was to determine the prevalence of H5N1 AIV antibodies in stray cats in eastern China where is the dominant enzootic H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HP AIV). A total of 1,020 nasal swab and 1,020 serum samples were collected and tested. Evidence of HPAI H5N1 virus antibodies was present in two of the 1,020 serum samples that were positive by HI assay and NT assay, respectively. The results imply little transmission and that the Clade 2.3.2 HPAIV H5N1 infections in poultry did not significantly affect the rural animal shelters or suburban environment in eastern China. In future studies, these results can be used as baseline seroepidemiological levels for H5N1 AIV among cats in China. J. Med. Virol. 87:1436–1440, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nutrient retention and fate of iron‐binding phenolic compounds during the injera processing of tannin‐free and high‐tannin sorghum
Authors: Seyoum Yohannes , Retta Negussie , Baye Kaleab
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

Traits such as bird‐, insect‐ and mould‐resistance are the focus in selecting improved sorghum varieties, but this often increases the tannin content, which can negatively affect iron bioavailability. The grain characteristics, nutrient retention, and the fate of iron‐binding polyphenols (IBPs) during injera processing, an Ethiopian traditional fermented pancake, were investigated using agriculturally improved tannin‐free (TFC) and high‐tannin (HTC) sorghum cultivars.

RESULTS

The HTC had significantly higher IBP contents than the TFC (P < 0.05). Decortication led to iron (24–27%), calcium (18–43%), IBP (catechol 35–41%, galloyl 35–42%), and tannin (12–35%) losses. Sourdough fermentation reduced the IBP and tannin concentrations in HTC, but had no effect on the IBP concentrations in TFC. The modified injera processing that included pre‐soaking resulted in the highest IBP reductions (galloyl 73% and catechol 71%).

CONCLUSION

Nutrient retention in HTC and TFC processing was different. Including a pre‐soaking step during injera processing of HTC could counter the negative effects of IBP on iron absorption, while benefiting from the agronomic features of HTC. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Tourism and Pilgrimage: Paying Homage to Literary Heroes
Authors: Brown Lorraine
Published: May 2015

By exploring the experiences of visiting the grave of famous authors, this study highlights the place of literary tourism in the tourism pilgrimage literature. It is based on an observational study of visitors to the grave of Jean‐Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir in Paris. Analysis reveals that visitors were motivated by a desire for closeness, a wish to pay their respects and to acknowledge the influence on their life of the two writers. The study notes a strong parallel between the religious and the literary pilgrim and contributes to knowledge on the phenomenon of the secular pilgrimage. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patients' Experiences of Nurse‐Led Screening for Cardiovascular Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Frølund Jannie Christina , Primdahl Jette
Published: May 2015

Background

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Screening for cardiovascular risk is recommended by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). There is a lack of evidence of the experiences of RA patients who are screened for CVD. Such information is important in order to organize and further develop screening programmes for CVD in patients with RA. The aim of the present study was to explore RA patients' experiences of participation in nurse‐led screening for CVD and to identify key issues for the future organization of screening programmes.

Methods

Three qualitative focus group interviews were carried out with 14 outpatients diagnosed with RA. The participants were stratified into groups, depending on whether they had a low‐to‐moderate or high ten‐year risk of cardiovascular death according to the European Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) system. Data were analysed using meaning condensation to identify key themes.

Results

Five themes were identified: reactions to receiving the invitation to the screening consultation; screening consultation adapted to needs and RA; duration reflected needs; screening consultation brought a sense of relief; and motivation and sense of control. Regardless of their CV risk, the participants found it important that the screening consultation was adapted to their needs and their illness as RA had a major impact on their daily life.

Conclusions

When planning future screening programmes for CVD for patients with RA, it is important that the screening consultation is individualized and tailored to patients' needs and their RA. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Primary refractory and early‐relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma: strategies for therapeutic targeting based on the tumour microenvironment
Authors: Carbone Antonino , Gloghini Annunziata , Castagna Luca , Santoro Armando , Carlo‐Stella Carmelo
Published: May 2015

Classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL), a distinct disease entity with characteristic clinical and pathological features, accounts for approximately 10% of all malignant lymphomas. cHL can be considered a prototype model for how the tumour microenvironment influences cancer pathogenesis. Cellular components of the cHL microenvironment express molecules involved in cancer cell growth and survival, such as CD30L or CD40L. Moreover, several signal transduction pathways that are critical for the proliferation and survival of neoplastic Hodgkin Reed–Sternberg (HRS) cells, including NF‐κB, JAK–STAT, PI3K–AkT and ERK, are deregulated in cHL. Although most patients can be cured with modern treatment strategies, approximately a quarter experience either primary or secondary chemorefractoriness or disease relapse, thus requiring novel treatments. Preclinical and clinical evidence has elucidated a complex crosstalk between malignant HRS cells and the reactive cells of the microenvironment, which suggests that novel therapeutic approaches capable of targeting HRS cells along with reactive cells might overcome chemorefractoriness. In the near future, these novel therapies will also be tested in chemosensitive patients, to reduce the long‐term toxicity of chemo‐radiotherapy. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanocomposite solid polymer electrolytes based on polyethylene oxide, modified nanoclay, and tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate for application in solid‐state supercapacitor
Authors: Sivaraman Patchaiyappan , Shashidhara Kannakaje , Thakur Avinash P. , Samui Asit B. , Bhattacharyya Arup R.
Published: May 2015

Nanocomposite solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have been prepared from polyethylene oxide (PEO), organically modified nanoclay (MNclay), and tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEABF4) salt. The concentration of the salt has been varied in the respective SPE, wherein PEO/MNclay ratio was kept constant. It has been proposed that three types of complex formation could be operative in the SPEs due to the interactions among PEO, MNclay, and the salt. The complex formation mechanism has been postulated on the basis of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscopic (TEM) observation, differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis, and polarized optical microscopic (POM) observation. ‘Complex 1’ and ‘complex 3’ formation could be involved in the crystalline phase as indicated by DSC and XRD analyses, whereas ‘complex 2’ formation might be restricted in the amorphous phase as suggested by TEM observation. The ionic conductivity of the SPEs has been correlated with the results obtained from XRD, DSC, and POM analyses. The formation of complex 1 and complex 2 could be responsible for the increase in the ionic conductivity, whereas complex 3 formation might decrease the ionic conductivity. An activated carbon‐based supercapacitor has been fabricated using SPEs and characterized by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic ‘charge–discharge’ behavior, and impedance spectroscopic analysis. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1536–1545, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
The Use of Glass Anvils in Drop‐Weight Studies of Energetic Materials
Authors: Walley Stephen M. , Field John E. , Biers Richard A. , Proud William G. , Williamson David M. , Jardine Andrew P.
Published: May 2015

Conventional impact sensitiveness machines (e.g. Rotter and BAM) do not provide detailed information about hot‐spot ignition mechanisms in energetic materials. To gain further insight, a glass anvil technique was developed at Cambridge in the early 1950s, which allowed high‐speed photographic studies to be performed during impact on energetic liquids, explosive powders and crystals. Herein we review such investigations which continue up to the present day.
Gaseous ternary chromium‐aluminium complexes as precursor for chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Lessiak Mario , Haubner Roland , Pitonak Reinhard , Köpf Arno , Weissenbacher Ronald
Published: May 2015

Research on high‐performance CVD coatings follows the target to increased hardness and oxidation resistance. Such coatings and coating systems are required for machining tools to optimize the manufacturing parameters for new materials and new processes. The use of chromium‐containing coatings is requested because of its feature to increase the corrosion resistance. The production of various chromium‐containing coatings is already shown by PVD, but for industrial scale CVD processes there are problems with the chromium precursors. Especially the chromium chlorides have a low vapour pressure and therefore high temperatures are needed for evaporation. To overcome the disadvantages of CrCl3 the relatively good evaporation of halide complexes was reported, showing potential for new CVD processes. Numerous metal compounds form gaseous complexes with Aluminium chloride but also Cr. Based on this characteristic the transport reaction of CrCl2/Al2Cl6 as chromium tetrachloraluminate is investigated. The focus of this work lies in the preparation of the chromium precursors as well as in the optimization of the transport reaction which required various changes in the conventional experimental CVD‐setup. To measure the amount of transported chromium the gas phase was condensed and their Cr‐content was analyzed. For the CVD deposition of Cr containing coatings, this precursor gas flow can be used directly. Further the interaction between aluminum chloride and the chromium precursor, different process parameters, as well as existing difficulties regarding the transport reaction are discussed. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evaluation of the Tropical Pacific Observing System from the ocean data assimilation perspective
Authors: Fujii Yosuke , Cummings James , Xue Yan , Schiller Andreas , Lee Tong , Balmaseda Magdalena Alonso , Rémy Elisabeth , Masuda Shuhei , Brassington Gary , Alves Oscar , Cornuelle Bruce , Martin Matthew , Oke Peter , Smith Gregory , Yang Xiaosong
Published: May 2015

The drastic reduction in the number of observation data from the Tropical Atmospheric Ocean (TAO)/Triangle Trans‐Ocean Buoy Network (TRITON) array since 2012 has given rise to a need to assess the impact of those data in ocean data assimilation (DA) systems. This article provides a review of existing studies evaluating the impacts of data from the TAO/TRITON array and other components of the Tropical Pacific Observing System (TPOS) on current ocean DA systems used for a variety of operational and research applications. It can be considered as background information that can guide the evaluation exercise of TPOS. Temperature data from TAO/TRITON array are assimilated in most ocean DA systems which cover the tropical Pacific in order to constrain the ocean heat content, stratification, and circulation. It is shown that the impacts of observation data depend considerably on the system and application. The presence of model error often makes the results difficult to interpret. Nevertheless there is consensus that the data from TAO/TRITON generally have positive impacts complementary to Argo floats. In the equatorial Pacific, the impacts are generally around the same level or larger than those of Argo. We therefore conclude that, with the current configuration of TPOS, the loss of the TAO/TRITON data is having a significant detrimental impact on many applications based on ocean DA systems. This conclusion needs to be kept under review because the equatorial coverage by Argo is expected to improve in the future.
Auxin and cytokinin act during gynoecial patterning and the development of ovules from the meristematic medial domain
Authors: Sehra Bhupinder , Franks Robert G.
Published: May 2015

The gynoecium is the female reproductive structure of flowering plants, and is the site of ovule and seed development. The gynoecium is critical for reproductive competence and for agricultural productivity in many crop plants. In this review we focus on molecular aspects of the development of the Arabidopsis thaliana gynoecium. We briefly introduce gynoecium structure and development and then focus on important research advances published within the last year. We highlight what has been learned recently with respect to: (1) the role of auxin in the differential development of the medial and lateral domains of the Arabidopsis gynoecium; (2) the interaction between cytokinin and auxin during gynoecial development; (3) the role of auxin in the termination of the floral meristem and in the transition of floral meristem to gynoecium; and (4) recent studies that suggest a degree of evolutionary conservation of auxin mechanisms during gynoecial development in other eudicots. WIREs Dev Biol 2015, 4:555–571. doi: 10.1002/wdev.193

This article is categorized under:

Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Regulation of Size, Proportion, and Timing

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Regulatory Mechanisms

Plant Development > Inflorescence, Flower, and Fruit Development
Small Australian desert vertebrate responses to grazing intensity during La Niña
Authors: Waudby Helen P. , Petit Sophie
Published: May 2015

Few studies have examined how grazing intensity affects small Australian desert vertebrates, despite the large extent of the grazing industry and its potential effects on native biota. We examined small reptile, amphibian and mammal responses to two intensities (“grazed” and “less‐grazed”) of cattle grazing in the stony plains system of arid South Australia. The study was undertaken during wet La Niña conditions when abundance of most species was expected to be highest. Total rainfall over the study period was over twice the mean yearly rainfall. Small vertebrates were sampled with pitfall and Elliott traps. Responses of individual species were compared among three grazed and three less‐grazed sites. One agamid species (Ctenophorus gibba) was captured more frequently at grazed sites, and two skink species (Ctenotus olympicus and Menetia greyii) at less‐grazed sites. Mus musculus (an exotic mammal) was caught most frequently at grazed sites. No native mammal species responded to grazing intensity. Low‐moderate livestock grazing in this study system, during periods of high rainfall, did not have a negative effect on most species studied. Complementary studies should compare responses during drought.
Construcción de juicios de confianza hacia compañías mineras en el norte de Chile
Authors: Olivos Francisco
Published: May 2015

Este artículo busca comprender los mecanismos que permiten la construcción de confianza de las comunidades hacia las compañías extractivas, y cómo las propias características de los individuos moderan la elaboración de juicios de confianza a partir de la evaluación del desempeño social y económico de las empresas. Para ello, se presenta un estudio de caso con base en encuestas factoriales en la comunidad de Pozo Almonte en la primera región de Chile. Dado lo anterior, se concluye que las licencias sociales para operar, que se podrían obtener de la confianza hacia la organización, dependen en último término de la benevolencia e integridad de las empresas, ya que en escenarios de desempeño social negativos, el desempeño económico no genera confianza.
Architectural hallmarks of the pluripotent genome
Authors: Bouwman Britta A.M. , de Laat Wouter
Published: May 2015

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have the ability to self‐renew and are capable of generating all embryonic germ layers (Evans and Kaufman, 1981; Thomson et al., 1998). PSCs can be isolated from early embryos or may be induced via overexpression of pluripotency transcription factors in differentiated cells (Takahashi and Yamanaka, 2006). As PSCs hold great promise for regenerative medicine, the mechanisms underlying pluripotency and induction thereof are studied intensively. Pluripotency is characterized by a unique transcriptional program that is in part controlled by an exceptionally plastic regulatory chromatin landscape. In recent years, 3D genome configuration has emerged as an important regulator of transcriptional control and cellular identity (Taddei et al., 2004 [4]; Lanctot et al., 2007 [5]; Gibcus and Dekker, 2013; Misteli, 2009 [7]). Here we provide an overview of recent findings on the 3D genome organization in PSCs and discuss its putative functional role in regulation of the pluripotent state.
KNOWING WHAT'S NOT UP THE ROAD BY SEEING WHAT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU: EPISTEMOLOGICAL DISJUNCTIVISM'S FAKE BARN PROBLEM
Authors: Veber Michael
Published: May 2015

Epistemological Disjunctivism (ED) is the view that rational support for paradigm cases of perceptual knowledge that P comes from seeing that P – a state that is both factive and reflectively accessible. ED has the consequence that if I see that there is a barn before me, I can thereby be in a position to know that I am not in fake barn country. It is argued that this is a problem. The problem is distinct from familiar complaints about Neo-Mooreanism and easy knowledge. Potential ways of avoiding this problem are proposed. It is argued that they do not succeed. There is a way out of ED's fake barn problem but many will likely find it inhospitable.
Feeding patterns in seagrass beds of three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus juveniles at different growth stages
Authors: Demchuk A. , Ivanov M. , Ivanova T. , Polyakova N. , Mas-Martí E. , Lajus D.
Published: May 2015

Today, three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus are the most abundant fish in the White Sea and are close to their historical maximum. Based on observations from 2011–2013, this study reports quantitative and qualitative characteristics of juvenile stickleback diet during periods of active feeding in coastal Zostera seagrass beds. The following planktonic taxa dominated stomach contents: copepods Temora longicornis and Microsetella norvegica, ciliophora Helicostomella subulata. Benthic organisms such as Oligochaetae and Orthocladiinae also played an important role, whereas the literature suggests they were once rare in marine stickleback diets. Consumption patterns depended on fish size, with the most pronounced diet shift taking place as juveniles reached a length of 15 mm, in late August. In larger juveniles the highest correlation between the abundance of food organisms in stomachs and in the sea was observed for Orthocladiinae, suggesting that they are the preferred food. Overall, changes in diet followed changes in the abundance of available food organisms, but food selectivity analysis of planktonic organisms showed that M. norvegica were actively selected by juveniles.
Materialising memories: exploring the stories of people with dementia through dress
Authors: BUSE CHRISTINA , TWIGG JULIA
Published: May 2015

In this article, we use clothes as a tool for exploring the life stories and narratives of people with dementia, eliciting memories through the sensory and material dimensions of dress. The article draws on an Economic and Social Research Council-funded study, ‘Dementia and Dress’, which explored everyday experiences of clothing for carers, care workers and people with dementia, using qualitative and ethnographic methods including: ‘wardrobe interviews’, observations, and visual and sensory approaches. In our analysis, we use three dimensions of dress as a device for exploring the experiences of people with dementia:kept clothes, as a way of retaining connections to memories and identity;discarded clothes, and their implications for understanding change and loss in relation to the ‘dementia journey’; andabsent clothes, invoked through the sensory imagination, recalling images of former selves, and carrying identity forward into the context of care. The article contributes to understandings of narrative, identity and dementia, drawing attention to the potential of material objects for evoking narratives, and maintaining biographical continuity for both men and women. The paper has larger implications for understandings of ageing and care practice; as well as contributing to the wider Material Turn in gerontology, showing how cultural analyses can be applied even to frail older groups who are often excluded from such approaches.
Framework to Assess an Area Control Centre's Operating Cost-efficiency: a Case Study
Authors: Tobaruela Gonzalo , Schuster Wolfgang , Majumdar Arnab , Ochieng Washington Y.
Published: May 2015

Cost-efficiency is a crucial Key Performance Area (KPA) in today's Air Traffic Management (ATM) system. Traditionally, research has mainly focused on the airport domain, with little attention being paid to the operating cost-efficiency of Area Control Centres (ACCs). This paper addresses this shortcoming and develops a framework to assess the cost-efficiency of an ACC from an operational perspective. It investigates how the resources of an ACC are managed, from the start of the planning process to the day of operation. The framework develops new metrics to assess an ACC's performance. A case study is carried out on the Maastricht Upper Area Control (MUAC) centre. Results show that, despite being one of the most advanced ACCs in Europe, the human workforce is operating at only approximately 50% of their full capabilities.
A Gray code for cross-bifix-free sets
Authors: BERNINI ANTONIO , BILOTTA STEFANO , PINZANI RENZO , VAJNOVSZKI VINCENT
Published: May 2015

A cross-bifix-free set of words is a set in which no prefix of any length of any word is the suffix of any other word in the set. A construction of cross-bifix-free sets has recently been proposed in Cheeet al.(2013) within a constant factor of optimality. We propose a Gray code for these cross-bifix-free sets and a CAT algorithm generating it. Our Gray code list is trace partitioned, that is, words with zero in the same positions are consecutive in the list.
The Political Economy of Religious Revival
Authors: Koesel Karrie J.
Published: May 2015

This article assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the religious economy approach by applying it to the religious revival across contemporary Russia and China. This comparison shows that the religious economy framework is beneficial in explaining some aspects of the communist and post-communist religious change, including macroeconomic market trends and why some faiths thrive while others fail. However, it has less explanatory power in explaining religious-state relations under market constraints — that is, how religious groups interact with state regulators to survive and grow; the range of options available to religious actors and their payoffs; and the political consequence of this interaction. This article draws on fieldwork in both countries to illustrate the benefits of grounding the religious economy approach more deeply in politics. The political economy of the marketplace reveals how and why religious groups engage the state to survive, and that they are becoming influential political and economic actors.
Deep Atlantic Conduit Boasts Longest Billow Train
Authors: Akpan Nsikan
Published: May 2015

Some 4000 meters below sea level, swirling patterns of more than 250 consecutive breaking waves up to 100 meters tall stretch through the Atlantic Ocean's Romanche Trench.
Gankyrin drives malignant transformation of chronic liver damage-mediated fibrosis via the Rac1/JNK pathway
Authors: Zhao X , Fu J , Xu A , Yu L , Zhu J , Dai R , Su B , Luo T , Li N , Qin W , Wang B , Jiang J , Li S , Chen Y , Wang H
Published: May 2015

Hepatocarcinogenesis is a complex process involving chronic liver injury, inflammation, unregulated wound healing, subsequent fibrosis and carcinogenesis. To decipher the molecular mechanism underlying transition from chronic liver injury to dysplasia, we investigated the oncogenic role of gankyrin (PSMD10 or p28GANK) during malignant transformation in a transgenic mouse model. Here, we find that gankyrin increased in patients with cirrhosis. In addition to more severe liver fibrosis and tumorigenesis after DEN plus CCl4 treatment, hepatocyte-specific gankyrin-overexpressing mice (gankyrinhep) exhibited malignant transformation from liver fibrosis to tumors even under single CCl4 administration, whereas wild-type mice merely experienced fibrosis. Consistently, enhanced hepatic injury, severe inflammation and strengthened compensatory proliferation occurred in gankyrinhep mice during CCl4 performance. This correlated with augmented expressions of cell cycle-related genes and abnormal activation of Rac1/c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Pharmacological inhibition of the Rac1/JNK pathway attenuated hepatic fibrosis and prevented CCl4-induced carcinogenesis in gankyrinhep mice. Together, these findings suggest that gankyrin promotes liver fibrosis/cirrhosis progression into hepatocarcinoma relying on a persistent liver injury and inflammatory microenvironment. Blockade of Rac1/JNK activation impeded gankyrin-mediated hepatocytic malignant transformation, indicating the combined inhibition of gankyrin and Rac1/JNK as a potential prevention mechanism for cirrhosis transition.
Tuning the optical response of a dimer nanoantenna using plasmonic nanoring loads
Authors: Panaretos Anastasios H. , Yuwen Yu A. , Werner Douglas H. , Mayer Theresa S.
Published: May 2015

The optical properties of a dimer type nanoantenna loaded with a plasmonic nanoring are investigated through numerical simulations and measurements of fabricated prototypes. It is demonstrated that by judiciously choosing the nanoring geometry it is possible to engineer its electromagnetic properties and thus devise an effective wavelength dependent nanoswitch. The latter provides a mechanism for controlling the coupling between the dimer particles and in particular to establish a pair of coupled/de-coupled states for the total structure, that effectively results in its dual mode response. Using electron beam lithography the targeted structure has been accurately fabricated and the desired dual mode response of the nanoantenna was experimentally verified. The response of the fabricated structure is further analyzed numerically. This permits the visualization of the electromagnetic fields and polarization surface charge distributions when the structure is at resonance. In this way the switching properties of the plasmonic nanoring are revealed. The documented analysis illustrates the inherent tuning capabilities that plasmonic nanorings offer and furthermore paves the way towards a practical implementation of tunable optical nanoantennas. Additionally, our analysis through an effective medium approach introduces the nanoring as a compact and efficient solution for realizing nanoscale circuits.
A novel caspase 8 selective small molecule potentiates TRAIL-induced cell death
Authors: Bucur Octavian , Gaidos Gabriel , Yatawara Achani , Pennarun Bodvael , Rupasinghe Chamila , Roux Jérémie , Andrei Stefan , Guo Bingqian , Panaitiu Alexandra , Pellegrini Maria , Mierke Dale F. , Khosravi-Far Roya
Published: May 2015

Recombinant soluble TRAIL and agonistic antibodies against TRAIL receptors (DR4 and DR5) are currently being created for clinical cancer therapy, due to their selective killing of cancer cells and high safety characteristics. However, resistance to TRAIL and other targeted therapies is an important issue facing current cancer research field. An attractive strategy to sensitize resistant malignancies to TRAIL-induced cell death is the design of small molecules that target and promote caspase 8 activation. For the first time, we describe the discovery and characterization of a small molecule that directly binds caspase 8 and enhances its activation when combined with TRAIL, but not alone. The molecule was identified through an in silico chemical screen for compounds with affinity for the caspase 8 homodimer’s interface. The compound was experimentally validated to directly bind caspase 8 and to promote caspase 8 activation and cell death in single living cells or population of cells, upon TRAIL stimulation. Our approach is a proof-of-concept strategy leading to the discovery of a novel small molecule that not only stimulates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in cancer cells, but may also provide insights into the structure-function relationship of caspase 8 homodimers as putative targets in cancer.
A Controllable Aptamer-Based Self-Assembled DNA Dendrimer for High Affinity Targeting, Bioimaging and Drug Delivery
Authors: Zhang Huimin , Ma Yanli , Xie Yi , An Yuan , Huang Yishun , Zhu Zhi , Yang Chaoyong James
Published: May 2015

Targeted drug delivery is important in cancer therapy to decrease the systemic toxicity resulting from nonspecific drug distribution and to enhance drug delivery efficiency. We have developed an aptamer-based DNA dendritic nanostructure as a multifunctional vehicle for targeted cancer cell imaging and drug delivery. The multifunctional DNA dendrimer is constructed from functional Y-shaped building blocks with predesigned base-pairing hybridization including fluorophores, targeting DNA aptamers and intercalated anticancer drugs. With controllable step-by-step self-assembly, the programmable DNA dendrimer has several appealing features, including facile modular design, excellent biostability and biocompatibility, high selectivity, strong binding affinity, good cell internalization efficiency and high drug loading capacity. Due to the unique structural features of DNA dendrimers, multiple copies of aptamers can be incorporated into each dendrimer, generating a multivalent aptamer-tethered nanostructure with enhanced binding affinity. A model chemotherapeutic anticancer drug, doxorubicin, was delivered via these aptamer-based DNA dendrimers and exerted a potent toxicity for target cancer cells (human T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line) with low side effects for the non-target cells (human Burkitt’s lymphoma cell line). This controllable aptamer-based DNA dendrimer is a promising candidate for biomedical applications.
Natural Magnetite: an efficient catalyst for the degradation of organic contaminant
Authors: HE Hongping , ZHONG Yuanhong , LIANG Xiaoliang , TAN Wei , ZHU Jianxi , Yan WANG Christina
Published: May 2015

Iron (hydr)oxides are ubiquitous earth materials that have high adsorption capacities for toxic elements and degradation ability towards organic contaminants. Many studies have investigated the reactivity of synthetic magnetite, while little is known about natural magnetite. Here, we first report the reactivity of natural magnetites with a variety of elemental impurities for catalyzing the decomposition of H2O2 to produce hydroxyl free radicals (•OH) and the consequent degradation of p-nitrophenol (p-NP). We observed that these natural magnetites show higher catalytic performance than that of the synthetic pure magnetite. The catalytic ability of natural magnetite with high phase purity depends on the surface site density while that for the magnetites with exsolutions relies on the mineralogical nature of the exsolved phases. The pleonaste exsolution can promote the generation of •OH and the consequent degradation of p-NP; the ilmenite exsolution has little effect on the decomposition of H2O2, but can increase the adsorption of p-NP on magnetite. Our results imply that natural magnetite is an efficient catalyst for the degradation of organic contaminants in nature.
Vascular plant abundance and diversity in an alpine heath under observed and simulated global change
Authors: Alatalo Juha M. , Little Chelsea J. , Jägerbrand Annika K. , Molau Ulf
Published: May 2015

Global change is predicted to cause shifts in species distributions and biodiversity in arctic tundra. We applied factorial warming and nutrient manipulation to a nutrient and species poor alpine/arctic heath community for seven years. Vascular plant abundance in control plots increased by 31%. There were also notable changes in cover in the nutrient and combined nutrient and warming treatments, with deciduous and evergreen shrubs declining, grasses overgrowing these plots. Sedge abundance initially increased significantly with nutrient amendment and then declined, going below initial values in the combined nutrient and warming treatment. Nutrient addition resulted in a change in dominance hierarchy from deciduous shrubs to grasses. We found significant declines in vascular plant diversity and evenness in the warming treatment and a decline in diversity in the combined warming and nutrient addition treatment, while nutrient addition caused a decline in species richness. The results give some experimental support that species poor plant communities with low diversity may be more vulnerable to loss of species diversity than communities with higher initial diversity. The projected increase in nutrient deposition and warming may therefore have negative impacts on ecosystem processes, functioning and services due to loss of species diversity in an already impoverished environment.
Isoreticular bio-MOF 100–102 coated solid-phase microextraction fibers for fast and sensitive determination of organic pollutants by the pore structure dominated mechanism
Authors: Liu Shuqin , Zhou Yiwei , Zheng Juan , Xu Jianqiao , Jiang Ruifeng , Shen Yong , Jiang Jijun , Zhu Fang , Su Chengyong , Ouyang Gangfeng
Published: May 2015

The stepwise ligand exchange strategy was successfully utilized for the improvement of adsorption ability of a series of bio-MOFs SPME fibers.
Instrumental assessment of red meat origins and their storage time using electronic sensing systems
Authors: Haddi Z. , El Barbri N. , Tahri K. , Bougrini M. , El Bari N. , Llobet E. , Bouchikhi B.
Published: May 2015

Objective and rapid electronic sensing systems for distinguishing among meat species and identifying the degree of spoilage have been developed.
High activity of an indium alkoxide complex toward ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters
Authors: Quan Stephanie M. , Diaconescu Paula L.
Published: May 2015

An indium complex supported by a ferrocene-derived Schiff base ligand has unprecedented activity toward ε-caprolactone, δ-valerolactone, and β-butyrolactone ring-opening polymerizations. l-Lactide, d,l-lactide, and trimethylene carbonate polymerizations also showed moderate to high activity.
Preparation of a microporous organic polymer by the thiol–yne addition reaction and formation of Au nanoparticles inside the polymer
Authors: Lee Hyunpyo , Kim Hyungwoo , Choi Tae Jin , Park Hyun Woo , Chang Ji Young
Published: May 2015

We prepared an Au NP loaded microporous polymer using the thiol–yne reaction and in situ reduction reaction, and investigated its catalytic activity.
Green synthesis of peptide-templated gold nanoclusters as novel fluorescence probes for detecting protein kinase activity
Authors: Song Wei , Liang Ru-Ping , Wang Ying , Zhang Li , Qiu Jian-Ding
Published: May 2015

A green method was employed for synthesizing peptide-templated nanoclusters without requiring strong reducing agents. Using synthetic peptide–gold nanoclusters as fluorescence probes, a novel assay for detecting protein kinase is developed.
Targeting VEGF with LNA-stabilized G-rich oligonucleotide for efficient breast cancer inhibition
Authors: Edwards Stacey L. , Poongavanam Vasanthanathan , Kanwar Jagat R. , Roy Kislay , Hillman Kristine M. , Prasad Neerati , Leth-Larsen Rikke , Petersen Michael , Marušič Maja , Plavec Janez , Wengel Jesper , Veedu Rakesh N.
Published: May 2015

In this study, we investigated the efficacy of an LNA (locked nucleic acid)-modified DNA aptamer named RNV66 targeting VEGF against various breast cancer cell lines.
A thermal expansion investigation of the melting point anomaly in trihalomesitylenes
Authors: Saraswatula Viswanadha G. , Saha Binoy K.
Published: May 2015

The order of melting point is tribromomesitylene > triiodomesitylene ≈ trichloromesitylene > hexamethylbenzene and the order of thermal expansion is tribromomesitylene < triiodomesitylene ≈ trichloromesitylene < hexamethylbenzene.
Syntheses, structures, magnetic and luminescence properties of a series of coordination polymers constructed from 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate and N-donor ligands
Authors: Yang Liu , Qin Chao , Song Bai-Qiao , Li Xiao , Wang Chun-Gang , Su Zhong-Min
Published: May 2015

A series of coordination polymers constructed from 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate and N-donor ligands have been synthesized which forms four topological types. The thermal, magnetic and photoluminescence properties in solid state were also investigated.
The solid state conversion reaction of epitaxial FeF2(110) thin films with lithium studied by angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Thorpe Ryan , Rangan Sylvie , Whitcomb Ryan , Basaran Ali C. , Saerbeck Thomas , Schuller Ivan K. , Bartynski Robert A.
Published: May 2015

An epitaxial FeF2(110) thin film was exposed to Li as a high-purity analogue of a Li-ion battery discharge. The stoichiometry and morphology of the film were then characterized by ARXPS.
Electronically excited states of PANH anions
Authors: Theis Mallory L. , Candian Alessandra , Tielens Alexander G. G. M. , Lee Timothy J. , Fortenberry Ryan C.
Published: May 2015

The singly deprotonated anion derivatives of nitrogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are shown likely to possess dipole-bound and even valence excited states for the larger systems.
A general transformation to canonical form for potentials in pairwise interatomic interactions
Authors: Walton Jay R. , Rivera-Rivera Luis A. , Lucchese Robert R. , Bevan John W.
Published: May 2015

Weakly bound (red; (i) Ar2 (ii) Ar–HBr (iii) OC–Cl2 (iv) OC–HF) and strongly bound (blue; (i) H2 (ii) H2+ (iii) LiH (iv) HF) pairwise interactions transformed to one canonical potential.
Ionic liquids as solvents of polar and non-polar solutes: affinity and coordination
Authors: Rezabal Elixabete , Schäfer Thomas
Published: May 2015

Evolution of H2O and CO2 interactions with an ionic liquid (IL) from gas phase to IL phase is described. Affinity is lost and coordination patterns vary in the process, favouring H2O–anion and CO2–cation interactions.
Two-dimensional graphene-like C2N: an experimentally available porous membrane for hydrogen purification
Authors: Xu B. , Xiang H. , Wei Q. , Liu J. Q. , Xia Y. D. , Yin J. , Liu Z. G.
Published: May 2015

The two-dimensional porous C2N sheet exhibits an extremely high selectivity and large permeance in favour of H2 among other atmospheric gases.
Conformation of poly(ethylene oxide) dissolved in the solvate ionic liquid [Li(G4)]TFSI
Authors: Chen Zhengfei , FitzGerald Paul A. , Warr Gregory G. , Atkin Rob
Published: May 2015

PEO dissolves in [Li(G4)]TFSI via coordination with Li+.
Temperature-controlled polymorphism of chiral CuII–LnIII dinuclear complexes exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation
Authors: Wen He-Rui , Bao Jun , Liu Sui-Jun , Liu Cai-Ming , Zhang Cai-Wei , Tang Yun-Zhi
Published: May 2015

A family of chiral Cu–Ln dinuclear complexes with two different space groups has been constructed. The temperature-controlled reversible conversion from one chiral single-crystal to another chiral single-crystal with slow magnetic relaxation has been achieved.
Imido-pyridine Ti(iv) compounds: synthesis of unusual imido–amido heterobimetallic derivatives
Authors: Pedrosa Sergio , Vidal Fernando , Lee Lucia Myongwon , Vargas-Baca Ignacio , Gómez-Sal Pilar , Mosquera Marta E. G.
Published: May 2015

Controlled generation of novel bridging or terminal imido-pyridine complexes is achieved, including the unusual species [Li(THF)][Ti(η5-C5Me5)(NR)(NHR)2]. Computational studies corroborate its charge-separated nature.
The oxidative damage to the human telomere: effects of 5-hydroxymethyl-2′-deoxyuridine on telomeric G-quadruplex structures
Authors: Virgilio Antonella , Esposito Veronica , Mayol Luciano , Giancola Concetta , Petraccone Luigi , Galeone Aldo
Published: May 2015

The effects of 5-hydroxymethyl-2′-deoxyuridine on two human telomeric G-quadruplexes have been investigated. Reported results suggest a possible protecting effect of the loop residues on the other parts of the structure.
Unexpected shear dependence of pressure-induced γ-crystals in isotactic polypropylene
Authors: Yang Shu-Gui , Zhang Zhengchi , Zhang Liang-Qing , Zhou Dong , Wang Yan , Lei Jun , Li Liangbin , Li Zhong-Ming
Published: May 2015

Flow and pressure frequently coexist in practical polymer processing operations, but their combined influence on the microstructure of polymer parts has received very limited attention in the academic community.
Facile approach for preparing porous organic polymers through Bergman cyclization
Authors: Zhang Xian-Mei , Ding Xuesong , Hu Aiguo , Han Bao-Hang
Published: May 2015

We have reported a facile approach to POPs with great porosity based on Bergman cyclization.
Pd(ii)-catalyzed intermolecular enantioselective hydroamination of styrenes
Authors: Yu Feng , Chen Pinhong , Liu Guosheng
Published: May 2015

A Pd-catalyzed intermolecular asymmetric hydroamination of styrenes was developed with pyridine-oxazoline as the chiral ligand.
Plant kelch containing F-box proteins: structure, evolution and functions
Authors: Naeem ul Hassan M. , Zainal Zamri , Ismail Ismanizan
Published: May 2015

Kelch repeat containing F-box proteins; a review on the progress of the research on these plant specific signalling proteins.
Exploring and exploiting the influence of the compression mechanism on the transport properties of CrF3
Authors: Reshak A. H.
Published: May 2015

We have explored the influence of the compression mechanism and the temperature on the transport properties of CrF3.
Oxidative dehydrogenation of 1-butene over vanadium modified bismuth molybdate catalyst: an insight into mechanism
Authors: Wan Chao , Cheng Dang-guo , Chen Fengqiu , Zhan Xiaoli
Published: May 2015

The effect of vanadium addition on the performance of bismuth molybdate catalysts has been discussed. The mechanism of oxygen mobility on the prepared catalysts is proposed.
Preparation and electromagnetic wave absorption properties of novel dendrite-like NiCu alloy composite
Authors: Zhao Biao , Shao Gang , Fan Bingbing , Zhao Wanyu , Zhang Rui
Published: May 2015

The dendrite-like NiCu alloys show outstanding microwave absorption properties with the features of thin-thickness, strong absorption and wide-band.
Isolation of first row transition metal-carboxylate zwitterions
Authors: Armaghan Mahsa , Lu W. Y. James , Wu Di , Wei Yao , Yuan Feng-Ling , Ng Seik Weng , Amini Mostafa M. , Zhang Wen-Hua , Young David J. , Hor T. S. Andy , Lang Jian-Ping
Published: May 2015

First-row transition metal ions form zwitterions with 2-hydroxymethylpyridine-carboxylate ligands.
Simple route for gram synthesis of less defective few layered graphene and its electrochemical performance
Authors: Parveen Nazish , Ansari Mohd Omaish , Cho Moo Hwan
Published: May 2015

The mass production of high-quality graphene (GN) sheets is essential for their practical applications on a large scale.
2D hybrid anode based on SnS nanosheet bonded with graphene to enhance electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Shuankui , Zheng Jiaxin , Zuo Shiyong , Wu Zhiguo , Yan Pengxun , Pan Feng
Published: May 2015

A hybrid anode based on SnS nanosheets bonded with reduced graphene oxide (SnS NS/RGO) and synthesized with graphene oxide is formed through a facile solvothermal method.
High-efficiency self-healing conductive composites from HPAMAM and CNTs
Authors: Yang Wen , Song Jian , Wu Xiaotian , Wang Xiaoji , Liu Wei , Qiu Longzhen , Hao Wentao
Published: May 2015

A stimulus-free self-healing conductive composite with a sushi-like structure composed of hyperbranched poly(amido amine)s and carbon nanotubes exhibits excellent ability for the restoration of structural integrity and conductivity without any external stimuli and with no precise alignment of conductive pathways.
Antioxidant nanozyme: a facile synthesis and evaluation of the reactive oxygen species scavenging potential of nanoceria encapsulated albumin nanoparticles
Authors: Bhushan Bharat , Gopinath P.
Published: May 2015

In the present article, a facile synthesis of biocompatible nanoceria encapsulated albumin nanoparticles (BCNPs)viadesolvation technique that lead to the abatement of intracellular ROS is reported.
CpG site-specific RASSF1a hypermethylation is associated with occupational PAH exposure and genomic instability
Authors: He Zhini , Duan Huawei , Zhang Biao , Li Miao , Chen Liping , Zhang Bo , Zhu Xiaonian , Gao Chen , Li Jie , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Jingmaio , Wang Shan , Zeng Xiaowen , Li Daochuan , Xing Xiumei , Zhang Zhengbao , Ma Lu , Bai Qing , Liu Caixia , Xiao Yongmei , Zheng Yuxin , Chen Wen
Published: May 2015

Previous studies have shown an etiologic link between exposure to PAHs and lung cancer development.
Multi‐target tracking in clutter using a high pulse repetition frequency radar
Authors: Shi Yi Fang , Song Taek Lyul , Lee Jong Hyun
Published: May 2015

In this study, two algorithms of single‐target tracking in clutter using a high pulse repetition frequency radar are extended: the Gaussian mixture measurement likelihood‐integrated track splitting (GMM‐ITS) algorithm and the enhanced multiple models (MM) to multi‐target tracking algorithm, that is, the GMM‐joint ITS algorithm and the enhanced MM‐joint probabilistic data association algorithm, respectively. Both algorithms are extended on the basis of the optimal Bayes approach that creates track clusters for determining the nearby tracks that share measurements by enumerating and evaluating all the feasible joint measurement allocations. In all cases, the track trajectory probability density function is a Gaussian mixture, and both algorithms enable false track discrimination using the probability of target existence.