bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-Propagating Cracks in Vee- Notched Specimens Subject to Fatigue Loading
Authors: Frost N. E.
Published: July 2016

Reversed direct stress and rotating bending fatigue tests have been carried out on Vee-notched specimens of aluminium alloy, nickel chromium steel and mild steel.

Diagrams are presented showing the relationship between the geometric stress concentration factor Kt and the strength reduction factor Kt. It was found that non-propagating cracks formed in the roots of the sharper notches. These cracks formed at or above some critical value of Kt, the value depending on the specimen material. Below the critical value of Kt, cracks did not form unless the applied nominal stress exceeded that at the fatigue limit, and a crack, once formed, continued to propagate until the specimen failed. Above the critical value of Kt, non-propagating cracks formed at nominal stresses less than the fatigue limit, the stress having to be increased to the latter value in order to propagate the crack. This critical value of Kt coincided with the maximum Kf value realised. It would appear that Kf equals Kt up to a certain value of Kt; there is then a transition where Kt reaches a maximum at the critical value of Kt. Increasing the value of Kt above the critical value causes no further increase and may tend to decrease the value of Kt.

The conclusions drawn apply only when the fatigue stresses are completely reversed, i.e. the mean load is zero.
Effect of Higher-Harmonic Deflection Components on the Creep Buckling of Columns
Authors: Patel Sharad A. , Kempner Joseph
Published: July 2016

The influence of higher-harmonic deflection components on the creep-buckling characteristics of an idealised H-section column is investigated. The creep properties of the material of the column are defined by a simple power-function creep law. The results show that higher-harmonic deflection components reduce the column lifetime significantly only when their initial amplitudes, as well as the initial amplitude of the first harmonic component, are very large. Furthermore, it is shown that second-harmonic components have a much smaller effect on the column behaviour than do third-harmonic components.
Maximum Ranges of Intercontinental Missiles
Authors: Lawden Derek F.
Published: July 2016

The thrust magnitude programme of a rocket missile being supposed specified, the problem is solved of programming the thrust direction to achieve maximum range on the Earth's surface. Earth curvature and rotation, and variation of gravity with height are taken into account, but air resistance is neglected. Motion is assumed to take place in the Equatorial plane. Tables are included from which the optimal trajectories of missiles may be computed when two design parameters are known and these tables are used to assess the advantage to be gained at extreme ranges by firing in the sense of the Earth's rotation rather than against it.
Moments and Deflections of a Simply-Supported Beam Grillage
Authors: Ellington J. P. , McCallion H.
Published: July 2016

By using the methods of the Calculus of Finite Differences, expressions are obtained for the nodal moments and deflections of a simply-supported grillage, subjected to a loading constant along one set of beams and having a sinusoidal variation along the other set of beams. A simple example verifies the expressions and illustrates their use.
Variably Reinforced Circular Holes in Stressed Plates
Authors: Hicks Raymond
Published: July 2016

Expressions are obtained for the radial, tangential, and shear stresses
in an infinite plate containing a variably reinforced circular hole. The
variation in the cross-sectional area of the reinforcement is chosen so that
the maximum tensile resistance of the reinforcement occurs at points around
the hole where the stresses in the plate tend to be high. It is shown that
when the reinforcement has a given weight, the effect of varying its cross
section is to reduce the stress concentration in the plate.

The following particular applied stress systems are considered:—

(i)

Uniform tension or compression in one direction.

(ii)

Uniform shear.

(iii)

Unequal principal stresses.

For the particular cases of uniform end loading and unequal applied
stresses in the ratio 2:1, data have been obtained which enable the designer
to determine the stress distribution in plates with reinforcements having a
reasonably wide range of practical dimensions.
Some inequalities for (a + b)p and (a + b)p + (a − b)p
Authors: Jameson G. J. O.
Published: July 2016

We start from two simple identities:

For any p > 0 and 0 ≥ b ≥ a, now let

Can we formulate statements about Gp(a, b) that generalise (1) and (2)? We cannot hope for equalities, but perhaps we can establish inequalities which somehow reproduce (1) when p = 1 and (2) when p = 2. For (1), this might mean an inequality of the form Apap ≤ Gp (a, b) ≤ Bpap for certain constants Ap and Bp, and for (2) a similar statement with ap replaced by ap + bp. However, these are not the only possibilities, as we shall see.
A fresh look at Euler's limit formula for the gamma function
Authors: Jameson G. J. O.
Published: July 2016

Consider the problem of defining a continuous function f(x) which agrees with factorials at integers. There are many possible ways to do this. In fact, such a function can be constructed by taking any continuous definition of f(x) on [0,1] with f(0) = f(1) = 1 (such as f(x) = 1), and then extending the definition to all x > 1 by the formula f(x + 1) = (x + 1)f(x). This construction was discussed by David Fowler in [1] and [2]. For example, the choice f(x) = ½x(x − 1) + 1 results in a function that is differentiable everywhere, including at integers.

However, this approach had already been overtaken in 1729, when Euler obtained the conclusive solution to the problem by defining what we now call the gamma function. Among all the possible functions that reproduce factorials, this is the ‘right’ one, in the sense that it is the only one satisfying a certain smoothness condition which we will specify below. Admittedly, Euler didn't know this. It is known as the Bohr-Mollerup theorem, and was only proved nearly two centuries later.

First, a remark on notation: the notation Γ (x) for the gamma function, introduced by Legendre, is such that Γ (n) is actually (n − 1)! instead of n!. Though this might seem a little perverse, it does result in some formulae becoming slightly neater. Some writers, including Fowler, write x! for Γ (x + 1), and refer to this as the ‘factorial function’. However, the notation Γ (x) is very firmly entrenched, and I will adhere to it here.
The influence of plasma shielding effect on laser-ablated copper samples: a focus on signal-to-background ratio and plasma expansion
Authors: Pishdast M. , Eslami Majd A. , Kavosh Tehrani M.
Published: July 2016

The influence of plasma shielding effect induced by ambient gas pressure and laser intensity on the laser-produced Cu plasma parameters, signal-to-background ratio (S/B) and expansion are experimentally and numerically investigated. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm at various intensities ranging from 2 to 7.1 GW/cm2 intensity (40–150 mJ) is used to produce Cu plasma in air, argon (Ar), helium (He), and neon (Ne) ambient gas at various pressures ranging from 5 to 1000 mbar. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy reveals that spectral radiation, S/B, electron temperature, number density, and front edge velocity of the plasma have an increasing trend up to a certain value of laser intensity and gas pressure. Afterwards, a saturation trend is achieved, which is attributed to the shielding and self-regulation effect. The numerical modeling of the laser-produced Cu plasma in the presence of air at atmospheric pressure is carried out using the MULTI radiation hydrodynamics code. We have shown that the feature of plasma shielding effect observed in the experiments can be reproduced using a continuum hydrodynamics model. Laser intensity at about 3.5 GW/cm2 is found to produce the highest S/B at 1000 mbar air. He, Ne, air, and Ar show the best S/B, respectively and the best S/B is found for air, Ar, He, and Ne at 10, 5, 10, and 20 mbar, respectively. The expansion of plasma plume is studied using a simple and effective technique based on probe laser absorption and scattering method. The plasma plume expansion through He, Ne, air, and Ar at 1000 mbar pressure has the highest velocity, respectively. The simulated results of strong shock wave model and Rankine–Hugoniot jump condition are fitted to the experimental data, which are then used to estimate the values of the ablation parameters.
Investigation of ionization speed in field ionization with laser–plasma interaction
Authors: Tian Y. , Jin X. , Yan W. , Gu X. , Yu J. , Li J. , Li B.
Published: July 2016

The effects of target density and laser intensity on ionization speed are studied in this paper by 1D3V particle-in-cell simulations, where the field ionization of single atom is involved basing Ammosov-Delone-Krainov model in the form of Penetrante and Bardsley. To consider the ionization speed, the evolution of plasma density for the helium target, particularly, the ion density change rate near the target front surface, are discussed. The results show that not only the laser intensity, but also the target density will affect field ionization and further affect the plasma formation. This work will be helpful for further understanding of plasma formation in intense laser pulse. Also, it may be benefit for the setup of initial parameters before the simulation of laser–plasma interaction.
Marriage patterns and residential behaviour among Norwegian women in Amsterdam, 1621–1720
Authors: SOMMERSETH HILDE L. , EKAMPER PETER , SOGNER SØLVI
Published: July 2016

Using marriage banns registers from the Amsterdam City Archives, this study identifies the demographic and spatial behaviour of Norwegian female immigrants to Amsterdam, a city that witnessed rapid economic and population growth during the seventeenth century. The article approaches the topic by making: (1) an ethnic distinction between mixed Norwegian/non-Norwegian unions and homogeneous all-Norwegian unions, as well as (2) a distinction by husband's occupation in these unions, whether at sea or on land. Like all women in Amsterdam, Norwegian women experienced a general pressure in the marriage market around 1675, though a somewhat lower pressure for homogeneous unions with sailors. Occupation may explain the residential pattern, suggesting that work defined neighbourhoods more than ethnicity.
Orthogonal photoswitching in a multifunctional molecular system
Authors: Lerch Michael M. , Hansen Mickel J. , Velema Willem A. , Szymanski Wiktor , Feringa Ben L.
Published: July 2016

The wavelength-selective, reversible photocontrol over various molecular processes in parallel remains an unsolved challenge. Overlapping ultraviolet-visible spectra of frequently employed photoswitches have prevented the development of orthogonally responsive systems, analogous to those that rely on wavelength-selective cleavage of photo-removable protecting groups. Here we report the orthogonal and reversible control of two distinct types of photoswitches in one solution, that is, a donor–acceptor Stenhouse adduct (DASA) and an azobenzene. The control is achieved by using three different wavelengths of irradiation and a thermal relaxation process. The reported combination tolerates a broad variety of differently substituted photoswitches. The presented system is also extended to an intramolecular combination of photoresponsive units. A model application for an intramolecular combination of switches is presented, in which the DASA component acts as a phase-transfer tag, while the azobenzene moiety independently controls the binding to α-cyclodextrin.
Underwater microscopy for in situ studies of benthic ecosystems
Authors: Mullen Andrew D. , Treibitz Tali , Roberts Paul L. D. , Kelly Emily L. A. , Horwitz Rael , Smith Jennifer E. , Jaffe Jules S.
Published: July 2016

Microscopic-scale processes significantly influence benthic marine ecosystems such as coral reefs and kelp forests. Due to the ocean’s complex and dynamic nature, it is most informative to study these processes in the natural environment yet it is inherently difficult. Here we present a system capable of non-invasively imaging seafloor environments and organisms in situ at nearly micrometre resolution. We overcome the challenges of underwater microscopy through the use of a long working distance microscopic objective, an electrically tunable lens and focused reflectance illumination. The diver-deployed instrument permits studies of both spatial and temporal processes such as the algal colonization and overgrowth of bleaching corals, as well as coral polyp behaviour and interspecific competition. By enabling in situ observations at previously unattainable scales, this instrument can provide important new insights into micro-scale processes in benthic ecosystems that shape observed patterns at much larger scales.
Monitoring G protein-coupled receptor and β-arrestin trafficking in live cells using enhanced bystander BRET
Authors: Namkung Yoon , Le Gouill Christian , Lukashova Viktoria , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Hogue Mireille , Khoury Etienne , Song Mideum , Bouvier Michel , Laporte Stéphane A.
Published: July 2016

Endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of receptors are pivotal to maintain physiological functions and drug action; however, robust quantitative approaches are lacking to study such processes in live cells. Here we present new bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) sensors to quantitatively monitor G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and β-arrestin trafficking. These sensors are based on bystander BRET and use the naturally interacting chromophores luciferase (RLuc) and green fluorescent protein (rGFP) fromRenilla. The versatility and robustness of this approach are exemplified by anchoring rGFP at the plasma membrane or in endosomes to generate high dynamic spectrometric BRET signals on ligand-promoted recruitment or sequestration of RLuc-tagged proteins to, or from, specific cell compartments, as well as sensitive subcellular BRET imaging for protein translocation visualization. These sensors are scalable to high-throughput formats and allow quantitative pharmacological studies of GPCR trafficking in real time, in live cells, revealing ligand-dependent biased trafficking of receptor/β-arrestin complexes.
Hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 interact to mediate UV-B-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in radish sprouts
Authors: Wu Qi , Su Nana , Zhang Xiaoyan , Liu Yuanyuan , Cui Jin , Liang Yongchao
Published: July 2016

The cross talk among hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO) and UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 (UVR8) in UV-B-induced anthocyanin accumulation in the hypocotyls of radish sprouts was investigated. The results showed that UV-B irradiation significantly increased the anthocyanin accumulation and the expression of UVR8, and a similar trend appeared in radish sprouts subjected to cadmium, chilling and salt stresses regardless of light source. However, these responses disappeared under dark exposure. These results suggest that abiotic stress-induced anthocyanin accumulation and UVR8 expression were light-dependent. Moreover, abiotic stresses all enhanced the production of H2O2 and exogenous H2O2 addition significantly increased the anthocyanin concentration and UVR8 transcription, while these increases were severely inhibited by addition of dimethylthiourea (DMTU, a chemical trap for H2O2). It seems to suggest that H2O2 played an important role in the anthocyanin biosynthesis. Furthermore, addition of 0.5 mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a NO-releasing compound) substantially induced the anthocyanin accumulation, and H2O2-induced anthocyanin accumulation and UVR8 expression were significantly suppressed by co-treatment with 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-3-oxide-1-oxyl (PTIO, a NO scavenger), which was parallel with the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis-related transcription factors and structural genes. All these results demonstrate that both H2O2 and NO are involved in UV-B-induced anthocyanin accumulation, and there is a crosstalk between them as well as a classical UVR8 pathway.
LeftyA decreases Actin Polymerization and Stiffness in Human Endometrial Cancer Cells
Authors: Salker Madhuri S. , Schierbaum Nicolas , Alowayed Nour , Singh Yogesh , Mack Andreas F. , Stournaras Christos , Schäffer Tilman E. , Lang Florian
Published: July 2016

LeftyA, a cytokine regulating stemness and embryonic differentiation, down-regulates cell proliferation and migration. Cell proliferation and motility require actin reorganization, which is under control of ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) and p21 protein-activated kinase 1 (PAK1). The present study explored whether LeftyA modifies actin cytoskeleton, shape and stiffness of Ishikawa cells, a well differentiated endometrial carcinoma cell line. The effect of LeftyA on globular over filamentous actin ratio was determined utilizing Western blotting and flow cytometry. Rac1 and PAK1 transcript levels were measured by qRT-PCR as well as active Rac1 and PAK1 by immunoblotting. Cell stiffness (quantified by the elastic modulus), cell surface area and cell volume were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). As a result, 2 hours treatment with LeftyA (25 ng/ml) significantly decreased Rac1 and PAK1 transcript levels and activity, depolymerized actin and decreased cell stiffness, surface area and volume. The effect of LeftyA on actin polymerization was mimicked by pharmacological inhibition of Rac1 and PAK1. In the presence of the Rac1 or PAK1 inhibitor LeftyA did not lead to significant further actin depolymerization. In conclusion, LeftyA leads to disruption of Rac1 and Pak1 activity with subsequent actin depolymerization, cell softening and cell shrinkage.
Inverse focusing inside turbid media by creating an opposite virtual objective
Authors: Yu Yeh-Wei , Chen Szu-Yu , Lin Che-Chu , Sun Ching-Cherng
Published: July 2016

Limited by the penetration depth, imaging of thick bio-tissues can be achieved only by epi-detection geometry. Applications based on forward-emitted signals or bidirectional illumination are restricted by lack of an opposite objective. A method for creating an opposite virtual objective inside thick media through phase conjugation was first proposed. Under forward illumination, the backward scattering light from the media was collected to generate a phase conjugate wave, which was sent back to the media and formed an inverse focusing light. Samples combined with a diffuser or a mouse skin were used as specimens. Inverse focusing was successfully demonstrated by applying holography-based optical phase conjugation with a BaTiO3. This result indicates the capability to create an opposite virtual objective inside live tissues. The proposed method is compatible with current coherent imaging and super-resolution imaging technologies. It creates a possible way for forward-emitted signals collection and bidirectional illumination in thick specimens.
Experimental realization of an entanglement access network and secure multi-party computation
Authors: Chang X.-Y. , Deng D.-L. , Yuan X.-X. , Hou P.-Y. , Huang Y.-Y. , Duan L.-M.
Published: July 2016

To construct a quantum network with many end users, it is critical to have a cost-efficient way to distribute entanglement over different network ends. We demonstrate an entanglement access network, where the expensive resource, the entangled photon source at the telecom wavelength and the core communication channel, is shared by many end users. Using this cost-efficient entanglement access network, we report experimental demonstration of a secure multiparty computation protocol, the privacy-preserving secure sum problem, based on the network quantum cryptography.
Host Double Strand Break Repair Generates HIV-1 Strains Resistant to CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Yoder Kristine E. , Bundschuh Ralf
Published: July 2016

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has been proposed as a therapeutic treatment for HIV-1 infection. CRISPR/Cas9 induced double strand breaks (DSBs) targeted to the integrated viral genome have been shown to decrease production of progeny virus. Unfortunately HIV-1 evolves rapidly and may readily produce CRISPR/Cas9 resistant strains. Here we used next-generation sequencing to characterize HIV-1 strains that developed resistance to six different CRISPR/Cas9 guide RNAs (gRNAs). Reverse transcriptase (RT) derived base substitution mutations were commonly found at sites encoding unpaired bases of RNA stem-loop structures. In addition to RT mutations, insertion and/or deletion (indel) mutations were common. Indels localized to the CRISPR/Cas9 cleavage site were major contributors to CRISPR gRNA resistance. While most indels at non-coding regions were a single base pair, 3 base pair indels were observed when a coding region of HIV-1 was targeted. The DSB repair event may preserve the HIV-1 reading frame, while destroying CRISPR gRNA homology. HIV-1 may be successfully edited by CRISPR/Cas9, but the virus remains competent for replication and resistant to further CRISPR/Cas9 targeting at that site. These observations strongly suggest that host DSB repair at CRISPR/Cas9 cleavage sites is a novel and important pathway that may contribute to HIV-1 therapeutic resistance.
Optical vortex beam generator at nanoscale level
Authors: Garoli Denis , Zilio Pierfrancesco , Gorodetski Yuri , Tantussi Francesco , De Angelis Francesco
Published: July 2016

Optical beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) can find tremendous applications in several fields. In order to apply these particular beams in photonic integrated devices innovative optical elements have been proposed. Here we are interested in the generation of OAM-carrying beams at the nanoscale level. We design and experimentally demonstrate a plasmonic optical vortex emitter, based on a metal-insulator-metal holey plasmonic vortex lens. Our plasmonic element is shown to convert impinging circularly polarized light to an orbital angular momentum state capable of propagating to the far-field. Moreover, the emerging OAM can be externally adjusted by switching the handedness of the incident light polarization. The device has a radius of few micrometers and the OAM beam is generated from subwavelength aperture. The fabrication of integrated arrays of PVLs and the possible simultaneous emission of multiple optical vortices provide an easy way to the large-scale integration of optical vortex emitters for wide-ranging applications.
Localized spatially nonlinear matter waves in atomic-molecular Bose-Einstein condensates with space-modulated nonlinearity
Authors: Yao Yu-Qin , Li Ji , Han Wei , Wang Deng-Shan , Liu Wu-Ming
Published: July 2016

The intrinsic nonlinearity is the most remarkable characteristic of the Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) systems. Many studies have been done on atomic BECs with time- and space- modulated nonlinearities, while there is few work considering the atomic-molecular BECs with space-modulated nonlinearities. Here, we obtain two kinds of Jacobi elliptic solutions and a family of rational solutions of the atomic-molecular BECs with trapping potential and space-modulated nonlinearity and consider the effect of three-body interaction on the localized matter wave solutions. The topological properties of the localized nonlinear matter wave for no coupling are analysed: the parity of nonlinear matter wave functions depends only on the principal quantum numbernand the numbers of the density packets for each quantum state depend on both the principal quantum numbernand the secondary quantum numberl. When the coupling is not zero, the localized nonlinear matter waves given by the rational function, their topological properties are independent of the principal quantum numbern, only depend on the secondary quantum numberl. The Raman detuning and the chemical potential can change the number and the shape of the density packets. The stability of the Jacobi elliptic solutions depends on the principal quantum numbern, while the stability of the rational solutions depends on the chemical potential and Raman detuning.
An invertebrate-specific and immune-responsive microRNA augments oyster haemocyte phagocytosis by targeting CgIκB2
Authors: Chen Hao , Zhou Zhi , Wang Hao , Wang Lingling , Wang Weilin , Liu Rui , Qiu Limei , Song Linsheng
Published: July 2016

Nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway is an evolutionally conserved pathway in activating immune response, in which IκBs can repress the activation. In the present study, cgi-miR-2d, an invertebrate-specific microRNA, was proved to regulate CgIκB2 expression and haemocyte phagocytosis during bacterial infection in oyster Crassostrea gigas. The expression of cgi-miR-2d was significantly up-regulated after Vibrio splendidus challenge, while CgIκB2 transcripts decreased. Significant decreases in both luminescence and CgIκB2 3′UTR level was observed after transfection of cgi-miR-2d in CgIκB2 3′UTR luciferase reporter assay. CgIκB2 mRNA level decreased significantly (0.51-fold of control group, p < 0.05) in gain-of-function assay of cgi-miR-2d in vivo while it increased markedly (1.27-fold, p < 0.05) when cgi-miR-2d was repressed (0.10-fold, p < 0.01). A significant increase of haemocyte phagocytosis rate was observed in cgi-miR-2d overexpression group (p < 0.01), consistent with results in CgIκB2 knock-down group (p < 0.01). Moreover, the apoptosis rate of haemocytes was found significantly declined (28.57%, p < 0.01) in gain-of-function assay of cgi-miR-2d. Together, those results not only depicted the functional conservation of miR-2d family in anti-apoptosis of oysters but also highlighted its interaction with phagocytosis by modulating NF-κB pathway, which might dedicate critically to the well-balance of host immune response.
Selectable Ultrasensitive Detection of Hg2+ with Rhodamine 6G-Modified Nanoporous Gold Optical Sensor
Authors: Wang Zheng , Yang Min , Chen Chao , Zhang Ling , Zeng Heping
Published: July 2016

An extremely sensitive fluorescence sensor has been developed for selectively detection of mercury ions based on metallophilic Hg2+-Au+ interactions, which results in an effective release of pre-adsorbed rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules from the nanoporous gold substrate, associated with a significant decrease of fluorescence intensity. The optical sensor has a detection sensitivity down to 0.6 pM for Hg2+ and CH3Hg+ ions, in particular a superior selectivity in a complex aqueous system containing 13 different types of metal ions, meanwhile maintaining a long-term stability after 10 cycles. Such a fluorescence sensor combining multiple advantages therefore present promising potentials in various applications.
Heritable genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9 induces anosmia in a crop pest moth
Authors: Koutroumpa Fotini A. , Monsempes Christelle , François Marie-Christine , de Cian Anne , Royer Corinne , Concordet Jean-Paul , Jacquin-Joly Emmanuelle
Published: July 2016

Lepidoptera suffer critical lack of genetic tools and heritable genome edition has been achieved only in a few model species. Here we demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 system is highly efficient for genome editing in a non-model crop pest Lepidoptera, the noctuid moth Spodoptera littoralis. We knocked-out the olfactory receptor co-receptor Orco gene to investigate its function in Lepidoptera olfaction. We find that 89.6% of the injected individuals carried Orco mutations, 70% of which transmitted them to the next generation. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Orco knockout caused defects in plant odor and sex pheromone olfactory detection in homozygous individuals. Our work genetically defines Orco as an essential OR partner for both host and mate detection in Lepidoptera and demonstrates that CRISPR/Cas9 is a simple and highly efficient genome editing technique in noctuid pests opening new routes for gene function analysis and the development of novel pest control strategies.
Reduced TRMU expression increases the sensitivity of hair-cell-like HEI-OC-1 cells to neomycin damage in vitro
Authors: He Zuhong , Sun Shan , Waqas Muhammad , Zhang Xiaoli , Qian Fuping , Cheng Cheng , Zhang Mingshu , Zhang Shasha , Wang Yongming , Tang Mingliang , Li Huawei , Chai Renjie
Published: July 2016

Aminoglycosides are ototoxic to the cochlear hair cells and mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the major mechanisms behind ototoxic drug-induced hair cell death. TRMU (tRNA 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridylate methyltransferase) is a mitochondrial protein that participates in mitochondrial tRNA modifications, but the role of TRMU in aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity remains to be elucidated. In this study, we took advantage of the HEI-OC-1 cell line to investigate the role of TRMU in aminoglycoside-induced cell death. We found that TRMU is expressed in both hair cells and HEI-OC-1 cells and its expression is significantly decreased after 24 h neomycin treatment. We then downregulated TRMU expression with siRNA and found that cell death and apoptosis were significantly increased after neomycin injury. Furthermore, when we down-regulated TRMU expression, we observed significantly increased mitochondrial dysfunction and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after neomycin injury, suggesting that TRMU regulates mitochondrial function and ROS levels. Lastly, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine rescued the mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis that was induced by TRMU downregulation, suggesting that ROS accumulation contributed to the increased aminoglycosides sensitivity of HEI-OC-1 cells after TRMU downregulation. This study provides evidence that TRMU might be a new therapeutic target for the prevention of aminoglycoside-induced hair cell death.
Disentangling adaptive evolutionary radiations and the role of diet in promoting diversification on islands
Authors: DeMiguel Daniel
Published: July 2016

Although the initial formulation of modern concepts of adaptive radiation arose from consideration of the fossil data, rigorous attempts to identify this phenomenon in the fossil record are largely uncommon. Here I focus on direct evidence of the diet (through tooth-wear patterns) and ecologically-relevant traits of one of the most renowned fossil vertebrates-the Miocene ruminant Hoplitomeryx from the island of Gargano-to deepen our understanding of the most likely causal forces under which adaptive radiations emerge on islands. Results show how accelerated accumulation of species and early-bursts of ecological diversification occur after invading an island, and provide insights on the interplay between diet and demographic (population-density), ecological (competition/food requirements) and abiotic (climate-instability) factors, identified as drivers of adaptive diversification. A pronounced event of overpopulation and a phase of aridity determined most of the rate and magnitude of radiation, and pushed species to expand diets from soft-leafy foods to tougher-harder items. Unexpectedly, results show that herbivorous mammals are restricted to browsing habits on small-islands, even if bursts of ecological diversification and dietary divergence occur. This study deepens our understanding of the mechanisms promoting adaptive radiations, and forces us to reevaluate the role of diet in the origins and evolution of islands mammals.
Helical aromatic imide based enantiomers with full-color circularly polarized luminescence
Authors: Li Meng , Lu Hai-Yan , Zhang Chao , Shi Lin , Tang Zhiyong , Chen Chuan-Feng
Published: July 2016

Helical aromatic imide based enantiomers were synthesized, and they exhibited full-color emissions and CPL properties in solution.
Molecular polymorphism: microwave spectra, equilibrium structures, and an astronomical investigation of the HNCS isomeric family
Authors: McGuire Brett A. , Martin-Drumel Marie-Aline , Thorwirth Sven , Brünken Sandra , Lattanzi Valerio , Neill Justin L. , Spezzano Silvia , Yu Zhenhong , Zaleski Daniel P. , Remijan Anthony J. , Pate Brooks H. , McCarthy Michael C.
Published: July 2016

The rotational spectra of four isomers of the [H, S, C, N] isomeric family are obtained by FTMW spectroscopy, enabling an astronomical search for these species.
Applications of water stable metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Wang Chenghong , Liu Xinlei , Keser Demir Nilay , Chen J. Paul , Li Kang
Published: July 2016

A comprehensive review is given on the applications of water stable metal–organic frameworks in areas of adsorption, membrane separation, sensing, catalysis, and proton conduction.
A high-performance dual-function material: self-assembled super long α-Fe2O3 hollow tubes with multiple heteroatom (C-, N- and S-) doping
Authors: Li Jiangfeng , Zhang Wen , Zan Guangtao , Wu Qingsheng
Published: July 2016

Flow diagram of the synthesis of nitrogen doped α-Fe2O3 nanorods into super long hollow tubes.
Self-assembly of highly luminescent heteronuclear coordination cages
Authors: Schmidt Andrea , Hollering Manuela , Han Jiaying , Casini Angela , Kühn Fritz E.
Published: July 2016

A promising approach is described to enhance the luminescence of palladium(ii) cages resulting in one of the highest fluorescence qunatum yields for metallosupramolecular complexes.
Barbituric acid–triphenylamine adduct as an AIEE-type molecule and optical probe for mercury(ii)
Authors: Shi Wei , Zhao Shiyu , Su Yue , Hui Yonghai , Xie Zhengfeng
Published: July 2016

A barbituric acid–triphenylamine adduct displayed interesting aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) features in a THF–water co-solvent system and can act as a fluorescence turn-on probe for Hg2+.
Promoted hydrogen release from alkali metal borohydrides in ionic liquids
Authors: Fu He , Wu Yong , Chen Jun , Wang Xiaojuan , Zheng Jie , Li Xingguo
Published: July 2016

Low-temperature high capacity dehydrogenation is found in MBH4-IL (M = Na, Li) systems.
Simple electrochemical synthesis of an Au–Ag–Cu trimetallic nanodendrite and its use as a SERS substrate
Authors: Chang Kyeol , Chung Hoeil
Published: July 2016

An Au–Ag–Cu trimetallic nanodendrite was constructed by simple electrochemical methods and was evaluated as a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate.
Shape engineered TiO2nanoparticles in Caenorhabditis elegans: a Raman imaging based approach to assist tissue-specific toxicological studies
Authors: Iannarelli Luca , Giovannozzi Andrea Mario , Morelli Federica , Viscotti Francesco , Bigini Paolo , Maurino Valter , Spoto Giuseppe , Martra Gianmario , Ortel Erik , Hodoroaba Vasile-Dan , Rossi Andrea Mario , Diomede Luisa
Published: July 2016

C. elegansmodel organism was fed with commercial and shape engineered titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs). Raman mapping were performed in order to guide specific toxicological studies in those tissues in which NPs were detected.
Fabrication of a monolithic cryogel from the cyclohexane organogel of a coordination polymer based on a phosphoester
Authors: Tasaki-Handa Yuiko , Abe Yukie , Ooi Kenta
Published: July 2016

A monolithic coordination polymer ([Sm(dehp)3]) has been successfully prepared through the lyophilization of a cyclohexane organogel.
Non-interacting, sp2 carbon on a ferroelectric lead zirco-titanate: towards graphene synthesis on ferroelectrics in ultrahigh vacuum
Authors: Apostol N. G. , Lungu G. A. , Bucur I. C. , Tache C. A. , Hrib L. , Pintilie L. , Macovei D. , Teodorescu C. M.
Published: July 2016

Carbon layers grown on lead zirco-titanate (PZT) weakly interact with the substrate and exhibit nearly two dimensional character, up to a carbon surface density approaching that of graphene.
Cycloketyl radical mediated suspension polymerization of styrene
Authors: Yao C. R. , Wang L. , Yang W. T.
Published: July 2016

Suspension polymerization of styrene mediated by cycloketyl radicals.
Tweaking of the supramolecular gelation properties of a dipeptide based ambidextrous organogelator through the cooperative influence of hydrophobicity, steric bulk and conformational flexibility of the side chain residue of a single hydrophobic α-amino acid encrypted on a designed molecular frame
Authors: Karmakar Koninika , Haldar Saubhik
Published: July 2016

Fine tuning of gelation behaviorviasingular alteration of hydrophobic Cα-amino acid on the backbone of a dipeptide based ambidextrous organogelator.
Visible light mediated metal-free thiol–yne click reaction
Authors: Zalesskiy Sergey S. , Shlapakov Nikita S. , Ananikov Valentine P.
Published: July 2016

Efficient metal-free photoredox pathway to the thiol–yne click reaction is described using Eosin Y as a catalyst and dedicated 3D-printed photoreactor.
Photoredox-mediated Minisci C–H alkylation of N-heteroarenes using boronic acids and hypervalent iodine
Authors: Li Guo-Xing , Morales-Rivera Christian A. , Wang Yaxin , Gao Fang , He Gang , Liu Peng , Chen Gong
Published: July 2016

A photoredox-mediated Minisci C–H alkylation of N-heteroarenes with easily accessible primary and secondary alkyl boronic acids has been developed.
Hierarchically structured layered-double-hydroxide@zeolitic-imidazolate-framework derivatives for high-performance electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Dou Yibo , Zhou Jian , Yang Fan , Zhao Min-Jian , Nie Zuoren , Li Jian-Rong
Published: July 2016

Using CoAl-based layered-double-hydroxide@zeolitic-imidazolate-framework-67 as the precursor, resulting oxidation, carbonization and sulfurization derivative-based supercapacitors exhibit significantly enhanced energy storage capability.
Dendrimers with the protocatechuic acid building block for anticancer drug delivery
Authors: Xi Xiujuan , Hu Shiqi , Zhou Zhuxian , Liu Xiangrui , Tang Jianbin , Shen Youqing
Published: July 2016

Protocatechuic acid (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid; PCA) is a well-known antioxidant compound and a potential antitumor drug that is commonly found in fruits and vegetables.
Protein lysine methylation by seven-β-strand methyltransferases
Authors: Falnes Pål Ø. , Jakobsson Magnus E. , Davydova Erna , Ho Angela , Małecki Jędrzej
Published: July 2016

Methylation of biomolecules is a frequent biochemical reaction within the cell, and a plethora of highly specific methyltransferases (MTases) catalyse the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) to various substrates. The posttranslational methylation of lysine residues, catalysed by numerous lysine (K)-specific protein MTases (KMTs), is a very common and important protein modification, which recently has been subject to intense studies, particularly in the case of histone proteins. The majority of KMTs belong to a class of MTases that share a defining ‘SET domain’, and these enzymes mostly target lysines in the flexible tails of histones. However, the so-called seven-β-strand (7BS) MTases, characterized by a twisted beta-sheet structure and certain conserved sequence motifs, represent the largest MTase class, and these enzymes methylate a wide range of substrates, including small metabolites, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. Until recently, the histone-specific Dot1/DOT1L was the only identified eukaryotic 7BS KMT. However, a number of novel 7BS KMTs have now been discovered, and, in particular, several recently characterized human and yeast members of MTase family 16 (MTF16) have been found to methylate lysines in non-histone proteins. Here, we review the status and recent progress on the 7BS KMTs, and discuss these enzymes at the levels of sequence/structure, catalytic mechanism, substrate recognition and biological significance.
In the absence of phosphate shuttling, exercise reveals the in vivo importance of creatine-independent mitochondrial ADP transport
Authors: Miotto Paula M. , Holloway Graham P.
Published: July 2016

The transport of cytosolic adenosine diphosphate (ADP) into the mitochondria is a major control point in metabolic homeostasis, as ADP concentrations directly affect glycolytic flux and oxidative phosphorylation rates within mitochondria. A large contributor to the efficiency of this process is thought to involve phosphocreatine (PCr)/Creatine (Cr) shuttling through mitochondrial creatine kinase (Mi-CK), whereas the biological importance of alterations in Cr-independent ADP transport during exercise remains unknown. Therefore, we utilized an Mi-CK knockout (KO) model to determine whether in vivo Cr-independent mechanisms are biologically important for sustaining energy homeostasis during exercise. Ablating Mi-CK did not alter exercise tolerance, as the time to volitional fatigue was similar between wild-type (WT) and KO mice at various exercise intensities. In addition, skeletal muscle metabolic profiles after exercise, including glycogen, PCr/Cr ratios, free ADP/adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and lactate, were similar between genotypes. While these data suggest that the absence of PCr/Cr shuttling is not detrimental to maintaining energy homeostasis during exercise, KO mice displayed a dramatic increase in Cr-independent mitochondrial ADP sensitivity after exercise. Specifically, whereas mitochondrial ADP sensitivity decreased with exercise in WT mice, in stark contrast, exercise increased mitochondrial Cr-independent ADP sensitivity in KO mice. As a result, the apparent ADP Km was 50% lower in KO mice after exercise, suggesting that in vivo activation of voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC)/adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) can support mitochondrial ADP transport. Altogether, we provide insight that Cr-independent ADP transport mechanisms are biologically important for regulating ADP sensitivity during exercise, while highlighting complex regulation and the plasticity of the VDAC/ANT axis to support adenosine triphosphate demand.
Comparison of interleukin-10 and interleukin-13 in cord blood of infants born by vaginal delivery and caesarean
Authors: Khosravi Nastaran , Khosravi nastaran , Sheykholeslami Hamid , Nabavi Mohammad , Karimi Alireza
Published: July 2016

Background: The present study assessed the levels of IL-13 and IL-10 in umbilical cord blood of infants born through normal vaginal delivery and infants born with cesarean section.  

Methods: This pilot study was performed on 42 neonates born at Rasool-e-Akram hospital between May 2013 and May 2014 categorized into two groups born by vaginal delivery (n = 21) and those who born by cesarean section (n = 21).

Results: No difference was observed between the two groups with normal vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery in the level of IL-13 in umbilical cord blood (1.42 {plus minus} 0.23 versus 1.40 {plus minus} 0.22, respectively, p = 0.785). The mean level of IL-10 in umbilical cord blood in the group with vaginal delivery was 6.35 {plus minus} 2.54 and in another group with cesarean section was 5.69 {plus minus} 2.42 with no significant difference (p = 0.393). According to the multivariate linear regression analyses, no difference was found between the two groups of the mode of delivery in the level of IL-10 (beta = -0.454, SE = 0.802, p = 0.575) and also in the level of IL-13 (beta = 0.012, SE = 0.076, p = 0.877). None of the indicators including gestational age, mother's age, sex of neonate, number of live births, history of abortion, and number of parity could predict increased level of the interleukins in umbilical cord blood. 

Conclusion: Mode of delivery may not be an indicator for altering cord blood levels of IL-13 and IL-10.
Acute Ischemic Lesions Associated With Impairments in Expression and Recognition of Affective Prosody
Authors: Wright Amy E. , Davis Cameron , Gomez Yessenia , Posner Joseph , Rorden Christopher , Hillis Argye E. , Tippett Donna C.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

We aimed to: (a) review existing data on the neural basis of affective prosody; (b) test the hypothesis that there are double dissociations in impairments of expression and recognition of affective prosody; and (c) identify areas of infarct associated with impaired expression and/or recognition of affective prosody after acute right hemisphere (RH) ischemic stroke.

Methods

Participants were tested on recognition of emotional prosody in content-neutral sentences. Expression was evaluated by measuring variability in fundamental frequency. Voxel-based symptom mapping was used to identify areas associated with severity of expressive deficits.

Results

We found that 9/23 patients had expressive prosody impairments; 5/9 of these patients also had impaired recognition of affective prosody; 2/9 had selective deficits in expressive prosody; recognition was not tested in 2/9. Another 6/23 patients had selective impairment in recognition of affective prosody. Severity of expressive deficits was associated with lesions in right temporal pole; patients with temporal pole lesions had deficits in expression and recognition.

Conclusions

Expression and recognition of prosody can be selectively impaired. Damage to right anterior temporal pole is associated with impairment of both, indicating a role of this structure in a mechanism shared by expression and production of affective prosody.
Hybrid neuromorphic system for automatic speech recognition
Authors: Rafique M.A. , Lee B.G. , Jeon M.
Published: July 2016

A multilayer neural network, equipped with a two‐memristors synapse, for speech recognition is proposed. The discussed neuromorphic neural network is a hybrid system which uses a Gaussian–Bernoulli restricted Boltzmann Machine (RBM) to transform the speech data into sparse encoded binary data. The sparse data is used to train a standard RBM, and a two‐memristors synapse using AI/Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3 memristor is used as a connection between the two layers of the RBM. The simulations are performed with the real memristor's behavioural data, for potentiation and depression, to adjust learn‐able parameters of the neuromorphic RBM. Instead of hard coded representation of the data, memristive synapses follow the biological way of learning for plasticity by training with examples. Experimentation with the American common use vowels and its results assert the efficacy of the proposed architecture.
2D spatial‐variant phase errors compensation for ISAR imagery based on contrast maximisation
Authors: Darong Huang , Cunqian Feng , Ningning Tong , Yiduo Guo
Published: July 2016

Range and azimuth spatial‐variant phase errors are usually presented in high‐resolution inverse synthetic aperture radar imagery as the manoeuvring motion of the observed targets. It could not be effectively compensated by the traditional autofocus algorithms. A new method is proposed for 2D spatial‐variant phase errors compensation based on contrast maximisation. First, a novel phase error parametrical signal model is established. Then, image contrast is introduced as a cost function, and an iterative, modified gradient‐based method is used to solve a maximal contrast optimisation problem. The proposed method has a good convergence within a few iterations. The public data provided by the Naval Research Laboratory is utilised to confirm the effectiveness and superiorities of the proposed method.
Recursive anisotropic diffusion denoising
Authors: Ostojić V. , Starčević Đ. , Petrović V.
Published: July 2016

A recursive anisotropic diffusion algorithm for image denoising is proposed. Adopting the conventional anisotropic diffusion model, extending it to a recursive model leads to better noise removal with the same parameters, and equivalent or improved results with fewer iterations is showed. The reduction in the number of iterations leads to better edge preservation is also demonstrated. Visual and objective performance evaluations both show superior results compared with the classical model. Furthermore, tests on real medical images show successful noise removal with good edge preservation.