bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aplysiasecosterol A: A 9,11‐Secosteroid with an Unprecedented Tricyclic γ‐Diketone Structure from the Sea Hare Aplysia kurodai
Authors: Kawamura Atsushi , Kita Masaki , Kigoshi Hideo
Published: April 2015

A new 9,11‐secosteroid having an unprecedented tricyclic γ‐diketone structure, aplysiasecosterol A (1), was isolated from the sea hare Aplysia kurodai. The structure was determined by one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopic analysis, molecular modeling studies, a comparison of experimental and calculated ECD spectra, and a modified Mosher′s method. Aplysiasecosterol A (1) exhibited cytotoxicity against human myelocytic leukemia HL‐60 cells. A biosynthetic pathway for 1 from a known cholesterol was proposed and includes twice α‐ketol rearrangements and an intramolecular acetalization.
Effects of anchoring process under preference stabilities for interactive movie recommendations
Authors: Wu I‐Chin , Niu Yun‐Fang
Published: April 2015

This study explores how the stability of users' preferences influences recommendation results and how this stability relates to the effectiveness of developing recommendation strategies. In this work, we propose an anchor‐based hybrid filtering approach (AHF) to naturally measure and capture the user's preference stabilities for movie genres. That is, a pairwise preference of the genre comparison process with the genre‐based fuzzy inference filtering was conducted in order to achieve effective interactive recommendations. To conduct this experiment, we recruited 30 users with different levels of preference stability for movie genres. The experimental results show that the proposed AHF approach can effectively capture the user's preferences and filter out undesired movie genres. In addition, this approach can give a more precise recommendation than one without the anchoring process, especially for the user who has unstable preferences for movie genres. Our proposed approach achieves statistical significance and outperforms the baseline method for recommending users' favorite movies by more than 63% for the stable user group and 77% for the unstable group. The results suggest that the stability of users' preferences is a factor to be considered when developing effective recommendation strategies.
Quality of health information for consumers on the web: A systematic review of indicators, criteria, tools, and evaluation results
Authors: Zhang Yan , Sun Yalin , Xie Bo
Published: April 2015

The quality of online health information for consumers has been a critical issue that concerns all stakeholders in healthcare. To gain an understanding of how quality is evaluated, this systematic review examined 165 articles in which researchers evaluated the quality of consumer‐oriented health information on the web against predefined criteria. It was found that studies typically evaluated quality in relation to the substance and formality of content, as well as to the design of technological platforms. Attention to design, particularly interactivity, privacy, and social and cultural appropriateness is on the rise, which suggests the permeation of a user‐centered perspective into the evaluation of health information systems, and a growing recognition of the need to study these systems from a social‐technical perspective. Researchers used many preexisting instruments to facilitate evaluation of the formality of content; however, only a few were used in multiple studies, and their validity was questioned. The quality of content (i.e., accuracy and completeness) was always evaluated using proprietary instruments constructed based on medical guidelines or textbooks. The evaluation results revealed that the quality of health information varied across medical domains and across websites, and that the overall quality remained problematic. Future research is needed to examine the quality of user‐generated content and to explore opportunities offered by emerging new media that can facilitate the consumer evaluation of health information.
The Effect of Recipient Identifiability and Neediness on Children's Sharing Behavior
Authors: Kogut Tehila , Slovic Paul , Västfjäll Daniel
Published: April 2015

The identifiable victim effect refers to people's greater willingness to share resources with identified targets (about whom they have some identifying information) than to share with unidentified or statistical targets. Previous research examining adults' behavior suggests that identifiable targets arouse in the perceiver an intense emotional reaction that, in turn, increases sharing especially when the target is perceived as needy. In the current research, we examine whether the spontaneous reaction toward an identifiable, needy target and the increase in sharing with such a target appears in young children's sharing behavior and when in early childhood it develops. The results suggest that adding identifying information about a needy recipient increases sharing only in older children (above the age of 5.5) and in children who have acquired higher levels of theory of mind (independent of age). Mediation–moderation analysis suggests that theory of mind mediates the relation between age and sharing mainly when a specific, needy recipient is presented. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effects of Using a Conditioned Stimulus to Cue DRO Schedules
Authors: Della Rosa Kelly A. , Fellman Danielle , DeBiase Cortney , DeQuinzio Jaime A. , Taylor Bridget A.
Published: April 2015

A reversal design was used to examine the effects of a differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) procedure and the presence of a stimulus (i.e., a bracelet), conditioned via discrimination training, on reducing socially maintained non‐contextual vocalizations in an adolescent girl with autism. Initially, a functional analysis determined that non‐contextual vocalizations were maintained by social attention. Then, discrimination training was used to establish the presence of the bracelet as a discriminative stimulus for the absence of vocalizations. Specifically, when the bracelet was on, non‐contextual vocalizations were interrupted, and edible reinforcement was provided for the absence of vocalizations. When the bracelet was off, vocalizations were not interrupted and the teacher provided social attention to the participant (i.e., reciprocated conversation with the participant about the topic). During intervention, a DRO procedure was used. The participant was presented with the bracelet, a timer set for a specified interval, and the instruction to work quietly. If vocalizations did not occur for the entire duration of the interval, the bracelet was removed and the learner was given the opportunity to engage in vocalizations. The DRO interval was systematically increased throughout the intervention. Results are discussed in terms of discrimination training as an effective addition to differential reinforcement procedure. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behavior generation for interactive virtual humans using context‐dependent interaction meshes and automated constraint extraction
Authors: Vogt David , Lorenz Ben , Grehl Steve , Jung Bernhard
Published: April 2015

Interaction meshes are a promising approach for generating natural behaviors of virtual characters during ongoing user interactions. In this paper, we propose several extensions to the interaction mesh approach based on statistical analyses of the underlying example interactions. By applying principal component analysis and correlation analysis in addition to joint distance calculations, both the interaction mesh topology and the constraints used for mesh optimization can be generated in an automated fashion that accounts for the spatial and temporal contexts of the interaction. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Henoch–Schönlein purpura with preceding abdominal pain
Authors: Toshihiko Kakiuchi , Tomonobu Aoki
Published: April 2015

Key Clinical Message

Diagnosing HSP can be difficult, especially when abdominal symptoms precede the onset of characteristic palpable purpura (Chen MJ et al. 2005, World Gastroenterol., 11, 2354). Therefore, it is necessary to consider the possibility of HSP in patients with prolonged strong abdominal pain, even in cases without purpura.
Dynamic Search Algorithm of Solubility in a Salt‐Water System Based on the Solubility Product
Authors: Chen Jianxin , Chen Zhifei , Pang Shuchun , Wu Qing , Zhong Yunlong
Published: April 2015

An adaptive dynamic search algorithm is proposed to predict the solubility of salt in a salt‐water system. It is not subjected to the impact of the initial probe whether the results are convergent or not. The thermodynamic basis for the proposed algorithm is discussed in detail and the iterations of the algorithm and the calculation error are quantitatively studied. The multiple calculated results and the experimental solubility data are compared. The algorithm proves its high accuracy and efficiency in theory compared to other algorithms, such as the Newton iteration algorithm. It possesses reliable potential for application in low‐salt system dissolution equilibrium calculations.
Flexible Fiber Supercapacitor Using Biowaste‐Derived Porous Carbon
Authors: Senthilkumar S. T. , Selvan R. Kalai
Published: April 2015

A flexible fiber supercapacitor (SC) was fabricated by using porous carbon as the electrode material and polyvinylalcohol–H3PO4 as the gel‐polymer electrolyte. The porous carbon was derived from dead Ficus religiosa leaves through a single‐step carbonization method and characterized by using BET surface area and TEM analysis as well as XRD, Raman, and FTIR techniques. The fabricated fiber SC works up to 0.8 V and delivers a gravimetric (length) capacitance of 3.4 F g−1 (4.2 mF cm−1) at 1 mA. In addition, it exhibits a maximum gravimetric (length) energy density of 311 mWh kg−1 (37.3×10−8 Wh cm−1) at a power density of 58 W kg−1 (70.3 μW cm−1) with a capacitance retention of 88 % over 4000 cycles.
A Dinuclear Ruthenium‐Based Water Oxidation Catalyst: Use of Non‐Innocent Ligand Frameworks for Promoting Multi‐Electron Reactions
Authors: Laine Tanja M. , Kärkäs Markus D. , Liao Rong‐Zhen , Siegbahn Per E. M. , Åkermark Björn
Published: April 2015

Insight into how H2O is oxidized to O2 is envisioned to facilitate the rational design of artificial water oxidation catalysts, which is a vital component in solar‐to‐fuel conversion schemes. Herein, we report on the mechanistic features associated with a dinuclear Ru‐based water oxidation catalyst. The catalytic action of the designed Ru complex was studied by the combined use of high‐resolution mass spectrometry, electrochemistry, and quantum chemical calculations. Based on the obtained results, it is suggested that the designed ligand scaffold in Ru complex 1 has a non‐innocent behavior, in which metal–ligand cooperation is an important part during the four‐electron oxidation of H2O. This feature is vital for the observed catalytic efficiency and highlights that the preparation of catalysts housing non‐innocent molecular frameworks could be a general strategy for accessing efficient catalysts for activation of H2O.
Ultrasensitive Anion Detection by NMR Spectroscopy: A Supramolecular Strategy Based on Modulation of Chemical Exchange Rate
Authors: Perruchoud Loïse H. , Hadzovic Alen , Zhang Xiao‐an
Published: April 2015

NMR spectroscopy is a powerful tool for monitoring molecular interactions and is widely used to characterize supramolecular systems at the atomic level. NMR is limited for sensing purposes, however, due to low sensitivity. Dynamic processes such as conformational changes or binding events can induce drastic effects on NMR spectra in response to variations in chemical exchange (CE) rate, which can lead to new strategies in the design of supramolecular sensors through the control and monitoring of CE rate. Here, we present an indirect NMR anion sensing technique in which increased CE rate, due to anion‐induced conformational flexibility of a relatively rigid structure of a novel sensor, allows ultrasensitive anion detection as low as 120 nM.
An overview of Fog computing and its security issues
Authors: Stojmenovic Ivan , Wen Sheng , Huang Xinyi , Luan Hao
Published: April 2015

Fog computing is a paradigm that extends Cloud computing and services to the edge of the network. Similar to Cloud, Fog provides data, compute, storage and application services to end users. In this article, we elaborate the motivation and advantages of Fog computing and analyse its applications in a series of real scenarios, such as Smart Grid, smart traffic lights in vehicular networks and software defined networks. We discuss the state of the art of Fog computing and similar work under the same umbrella. Distinguished from other reviewing work of Fog computing, this paper further discloses the security and privacy issues according to current Fog computing paradigm. As an example, we study a typical attack, man‐in‐the‐middle attack, for the discussion of system security in Fog computing. We investigate the stealthy features of this attack by examining its CPU and memory consumption on Fog device. In addition, we discuss the authentication and authorization techniques that can be used in Fog computing. An example of authentication techniques is introduced to address the security scenario where the connection between Fog and Cloud is fragile. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ceramic‐Based Composite Solid Electrolyte for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Lim Young Jun , Kim Hyun Woo , Lee Seoung Soo , Kim Hyo Jin , Kim Jae‐Kwang , Jung Yeon‐Gil , Kim Youngsik
Published: April 2015

Solid‐state electrolytes such as lithium ion conducting ceramic or solid polymers have been studied as substitutes for liquid electrolytes, but critical problems exist at the interfacial resistance between the solid electrode and the solid electrolyte. In this study, we combined 80 wt % Li1.3Ti1.7Al0.3(PO4)3 (LTAP) as a lithium ion conducting ceramic with 10 wt % of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) as a binder, and 10 wt % 1 M LiPF6 in ethyl carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (EC/DMC) to develop a new composite electrolyte. The ceramic‐based composite electrolyte showed thermal stability and high ionic conductivity through reduction of the interface resistance. The lithium ion conductivity of the composite electrolyte was 8.9×10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature without leakage. Electrochemical tests of the Li1+xMn2O4–LTAP‐based composite electrolyte–Li1−xMn2O4 cell showed that the composite could be utilized as a potential electrolyte for high‐safety lithium‐ion batteries.
Multimachine power system stabilizer based on optimal multistage fuzzy PID attendant honey bee mating optimization
Authors: Ebrahimian Homayoun , Gollou Abbas Rahimi , Bayramzadeh Farshad , Rahimi Ali
Published: April 2015

This article presents a new strategy based on multistage fuzzy PID controller for damping power system stabilizer in multimachine environment using Honey Bee Mating Optimization (HBMO). The proposed technique is a new metaheuristic algorithm which is inspired by mating procedure of the honey bee. Actually, the mentioned algorithm is used recently in power systems which demonstrate the good reflex of this algorithm. Also, finding the parameters of PID controller in power system has direct effect for damping oscillation. Hence, to reduce the design effort and find a better fuzzy system control, the parameters of proposed controller is obtained by HBMO that leads to design controller with simple structure that is easy to implement. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is applied to single machine connected to infinite bus and IEEE 3–9 bus power system. The proposed technique is compared with other techniques through integral of the time multiplied absolute value of the error and figure of demerit. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 234–245, 2016
Improvement of Energy Capacity with Vitamin C Treated Dual‐Layered Graphene–Sulfur Cathodes in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Kim Jin Won , Ocon Joey D. , Kim Ho‐Sung , Lee Jaeyoung
Published: April 2015

A graphene‐based cathode design for lithium–sulfur batteries (LSB) that shows excellent electrochemical performance is proposed. The dual‐layered cathode is composed of a sulfur active layer and a polysulfide absorption layer, and both layers are based on vitamin C treated graphene oxide at various degrees of reduction. By controlling the degree of reduction of graphene, the dual‐layered cathode can increase sulfur utilization dramatically owing to the uniform formation of nanosized sulfur particles, the chemical bonding of dissolved polysulfides on the oxygen‐rich sulfur active layer, and the physisorption of free polysulfides on the absorption layer. This approach enables a LSB with a high specific capacity of over 600 mAh gsulfur−1 after 100 cycles even under a high current rate of 1C (1675 mA gsulfur−1). An intriguing aspect of our work is the synthesis of a high‐performance dual‐layered cathode by a green chemistry method, which could be a promising approach to LSBs with high energy and power densities.
Comparison of biotransformation and efficacy of aminoacetonitrile anthelmintics in vitro
Authors: Stuchlíková Lucie , Lecová Lenka , Jirásko Robert , Lamka Jiří , Vokřál Ivan , Szotáková Barbora , Holčapek Michal , Skálová Lenka
Published: April 2015

The present in vitro study was designed to test and compare anthelmintic activity, hepatotoxicity, and biotransformation of four selected aminoacetonitrile derivatives (AADs): monepantel (MOP, anthelmintic approved for the treatment), AAD‐970, AAD‐1154, and AAD‐1336. Micro‐agar larval development test, MTT test of cytotoxicity, and biotransformation study coupled with Ultra high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS/MS) technique were used for this purpose. Larvae of two Haemonchus contortus strains (drug susceptible and multi‐drug resistant) and primary cultures of rat and ovine hepatocytes served as model systems. All AADs (including MOP) exhibited significant larvicidal effect in H. contortus susceptible as well as multi‐resistant strains, much higher than those of reference anthelmintics thiabendazole and flubendazole. AAD‐1154 provides the best results for most tested parameters among all AADs in this study. The cytotoxicity test showed that all AADs can be considered as nontoxic for hepatocytes. In the biotransformation study, Phase I and Phase II metabolites of AADs were identified and schemes of possible metabolic pathways in ovine hepatocytes were proposed. Biotransformation of MOP was much more extensive than biotransformation of other AADs. Based on obtained results, AAD‐1154 and AAD‐1336 can be considered as promising candidates for further in vivo testing. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bi2WO6 Nanosheets Synthesized by a Hydrothermal Method: Photocatalytic Activity Driven by Visible Light and the Superhydrophobic Property with Water Adhesion
Authors: Yang Chengyu , Huang Yan , Li Taohai , Li Feng
Published: April 2015

The Bi2WO6 nanosheets have been synthesized at different pH values by a hydrothermal method. Various characterization techniques, such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV/Vis absorption spectra and contact angle (CA) analysis, were employed to investigate the as‐prepared products. The Bi2WO6 nanosheets prepared at pH = 9 (BW9) showed excellent photocatalytic performance by degradation of the methylene blue (MB) solution (10 mg/L) and the degradation rate was found to be 93 % under visible light for 3 h. Furthermore, the wettability of the as‐synthesized Bi2WO6 film was studied by measuring the water CA. It was found that they show extraordinary superhydrophobicity and excellent adhesion of water, even without modification by low‐surface‐energy materials.
Anodic Stripping Voltammetry with Galinstan as Working Electrode
Authors: Surmann Peter , Channaa Hanan
Published: April 2015

The liquid alloy galinstan is used to determine low concentrations in microgram per liter level of trace metals like copper, cadmium, lead, bismuth, antimony and thallium using anodic stripping voltammetry. Like the conventionally applied HMDE, the hanging galinstan drop electrode (HGDE) is able to accumulate the investigated metal ions at the electrode surface. Hence, simultaneous determination of Pb and Cd is possible. Both, DPASV and SWASV were used as measuring methods. The influence of different parameters like accumulation potential and time and the frequency in SWASV were studied. By the use of acetic buffer solutions, the potential window reaches from −900 mV to 150 mV. The limit of detection (LOD) varies from 6 ppm (worst case, Sb3+) to 2 ppb (best case, Pb2+). Therefore, the use of galinstan in the form of the HGDE is possible as a “mercury‐free” and environmentally friendly electrode in stripping analysis.
Site‐specific recombination for cloning of large DNA fragments in vitro
Authors: Dai Ruixue , Zhang Bo , Zhao Guoping , Ding Xiaoming
Published: April 2015

Natural‐product biosynthetic gene clusters are composed of large DNA fragments, which are difficult to synthesize in vitro. In this study, a Streptomyces phage site‐specific ΦBT1 integrase‐mediated recombination reaction was employed to obtain the 55 kb erythromycin biosynthesis gene cluster of Saccharopolyspora erythraea. Genome fragments inserted by ΦBT1 integrase recognition att‐sites (attachment site of bacteria and attachment site of phage) and two selectable markers (aphII gene and aac(3)IV gene) on both sides of the target gene cluster were extracted and subjected to an in vitro site‐specific recombination reaction to yield a plasmid pZB201 carrying the erythromycin biosynthesis gene cluster. This technique avoids mutations caused by PCR and limitations caused by restriction enzyme sites, making heterologous expression much more effective and convenient.
Saving for delivery through technology: an inquiry into an electronic commitment savings product for maternal healthcare in Kenya
Authors: van Bastelaer Thierry , Woodman Benjamin , Chatterji Minki , Long David
Published: April 2015

Many women in low‐income countries cannot afford maternal healthcare services. Changamka, a Kenyan company, developed an electronic, stored‐value card to help pregnant women save for maternal healthcare at a Nairobi hospital. This paper reports results from a mixed‐methods process evaluation of the card's implementation. The study found high levels of uptake and identified several benefits of the program, such as facilitating payment for services. The evaluation also identified several challenges. Most users completed only one transaction before discontinuing card use; only 6% of women who acquired the card used it to pay for delivery, and slightly less than 1% used it as it was originally intended—to pay for several antenatal care visits and for delivery. According to respondents, the main reason for this discontinuation was a lack of understanding about how to use the card. Users were, on average, of a higher socioeconomic and educational status than non‐card users. Most users obtained the card in their third trimester, and among those who used the card to save for delivery, most started to do so too late in pregnancy to accumulate sufficient savings to pay for that service. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Possible Involvement of Palmitate in Pathogenesis of Periodontitis
Authors: Shikama Yosuke , Kudo Yasusei , Ishimaru Naozumi , Funaki Makoto
Published: April 2015

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by decreased insulin sensitivity and higher concentrations of free fatty acids (FFAs) in plasma. Among FFAs, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), such as palmitate, have been suggested to promote inflammatory responses. Although many epidemiological studies have shown a link between periodontitis and T2D, little is known about the clinical significance of SFAs in periodontitis. In this study, we showed that gingival fibroblasts have cell‐surface expression of CD36, which is also known as FAT/fatty acid translocase. Moreover, CD36 expression was increased in gingival fibroblasts of high‐fat diet‐induced T2D model mice, compared with gingival fibroblasts of mice fed a normal diet. DNA microarray analysis revealed that palmitate increased mRNA expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). Consistent with these results, we confirmed that palmitate‐induced interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, and CXCL1 secretion in HGF, using a cytokine array and ELISA. SFAs, but not an unsaturated fatty acid, oleate, induced IL‐8 production. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is one of the omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, significantly suppressed palmitate‐induced IL‐6 and IL‐8 production. Treatment of HGF with a CD36 inhibitor also inhibited palmitate‐induced pro‐inflammatory responses. Finally, we demonstrated that Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.) lipopolysaccharide and heat‐killed P.g. augmented palmitate‐induced chemokine secretion in HGF. These results suggest a potential link between SFAs in plasma and the pathogenesis of periodontitis. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2981–2989, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Physiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Posterior regeneration following fission in the holothurian Cladolabes schmeltzii (Dendrochirotida: Holothuroidea)
Authors: Kamenev Yaroslav O. , Dolmatov Igor Yu.
Published: April 2015

The regeneration of the posterior portion of the body after fission was studied in the holothurian Cladolabes schmeltzii using electron microscopy methods. Following fission, the aquapharyngeal complex, gonad and anterior portion of the first descending part of the intestine remain in the anterior fragment of the body. The entire regeneration process is divided into five stages. In the first three stages, the digestive system and damaged ends of the longitudinal muscle bands regenerate. The intestine is formed through the rearrangement and growth of the remaining portion of the first descending part of the intestine. The gut anlage grows down the mesentery and joins the regenerating cloaca. The cloaca is formed from two sources: its posterior portion appears as a result of immersion of the epidermis, while the anterior portion develops from the terminal segment of the growing intestine. Regeneration of muscles progresses in the typical manner for echinoderms: through immersion and myogenic transformation of the coelomic epithelium. Respiratory trees appear in animals when the growth of the external part of the body has begun (fourth stage). They are formed as an outgrowth of the dorsal wall of the anterior portion of the cloaca. It was concluded that regeneration of the posterior portion of the body in the holothurian C. schmeltzii following fission is realized through morphallactic rearrangements of the remaining parts of organs. The main mechanism through which the digestive, respiratory, and contractile systems are formed is epithelial morphogenesis. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:540–552, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lifshitz tails for Anderson models with sign‐indefinite single‐site potentials
Authors: Shen Zhongwei
Published: April 2015

We study the spectral minimum and Lifshitz tails for continuum random Schrödinger operators of the form

urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201300160:mana201300160-math-0001where V0 is the periodic potential, are i.i.d random variables and u is the sign‐indefinite impurity potential. Recently, this model has been proven to exhibit Lifshitz tails near the bottom of the spectrum under the small support assumption of u and the reflection symmetry assumption of V0 and u. We here drop the reflection symmetry assumption of V0 and u. We first give characterizations of the bottom of the spectrum. Then, we show the existence of Lifshitz tails in the regime where the characterization of the bottom of the spectrum is explicit. In particular, this regime covers the reflection symmetry case.
NMR data visualization, processing, and analysis on mobile devices
Authors: Cobas Carlos , Iglesias Isaac , Seoane Felipe
Published: April 2015

Touch‐screen computers are emerging as a popular platform for many applications, including those in chemistry and analytical sciences. In this work, we present our implementation of a new NMR ‘app’ designed for hand‐held and portable touch‐controlled devices, such as smartphones and tablets. It features a flexible architecture formed by a powerful NMR processing and analysis kernel and an intuitive user interface that makes full use of the smart devices haptic capabilities. Routine 1D and 2D NMR spectra acquired in most NMR instruments can be processed in a fully unattended way. More advanced experiments such as non‐uniform sampled NMR spectra are also supported through a very efficient parallelized Modified Iterative Soft Thresholding algorithm. Specific technical development features as well as the overall feasibility of using NMR software apps will also be discussed. All aspects considered the functionalities of the app allowing it to work as a stand‐alone tool or as a ‘companion’ to more advanced desktop applications such as Mnova NMR. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electro‐mechanical sensors based on conductive hybrid nanocomposites
Authors: Brook Irena , Tchoudakov Roza , Suckeveriene Ran Y. , Narkis Moshe
Published: April 2015

This work demonstrates the development of electro‐mechanical sensors using a generic methodology based on elastomeric conductive nanocomposites. A fast and facile fabrication route is used to construct a unique architecture based on polymerization of aniline in the presence of dissolved styrene‐isoprene‐styrene (SIS) tri‐block copolymer and carbon nanotubes (CNT), followed by a precipitation–filtration step. The resulting nanocomposites form a segregated network of conductive pathways containing CNT. The percolation threshold calculated for aniline and CNT is 0.8 and 0.2 wt%, respectively. The electro‐mechanical sensors have demonstrated a stable and fast dynamic response with a uniform electrical amplitude to the applied strain cycles for two diverse polymer matrices. An accurate dynamic behavior, where the maximum peak of relative electrical resistance coincides with the maximum strain peak, was achieved. The relatively high calculated sensitivity factor (gauge factor) demonstrates that the nanocomposites developed possess good sensing performance. The unique method used for the preparation of SIS/CNT/polyaniline nanocomposites, results in new strain sensors and it can be utilized for evaluation of constructive damage in different composite structures. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controlled post‐synthesis grafting of thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) on mesoporous silica nanoparticles
Authors: Jadhav Sushilkumar A. , Miletto Ivana , Brunella Valentina , Berlier Gloria , Scalarone Dominique
Published: April 2015

Ordered mesoporous silica nanoparticles with pore diameter of 5 nm were synthesized by modification of the sol‐gel synthesis method. Post‐synthesis two‐step grafting of thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) inside the mesopores of the nanoparticles was carried out by distillation–precipitation polymerization of the methacryloxy‐functionalized mesoporous nanoparticles with N‐isopropylacrylamide monomer. A precise control on the quantity of the grafted polymer was achieved by changing the ratio of monomer to methacryloxy‐functionalized nanoparticles. The polymer‐grafted hybrid nanoparticles obtained were fully characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, thermal, and gas‐volumetric analyses, which clearly showed presence and thermoresponsive behavior of the polymer inside the mesopores with the preservation of the characteristic mesoporous structure of the nanoparticles. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rheological and dynamic mechanical characteristics of rotationally moldable linear low‐density polyethylene fumed silica nanocomposites
Authors: Chandran V Girish , Waigaonkar Sachin D.
Published: April 2015

In rotational molding process, polymer powders undergo a cycle of heating, melting, cooling, and subsequent solidification in the mold. Resins, like linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE), are used in this process on a large scale mainly because of its good mechanical properties and excellent thermal stability. Yet, incorporation of additives is necessary to further improve the visco‐elastic, thermal as well as melt flow properties of the resin. This study investigates the effects of nanocomposites of fumed silica (FS) with rotationally moldable LLDPE. Thermal transitions in the LLDPE‐FS nanocomposites were investigated and correlated with their melt flow characteristics. The effect on melt processing during rotational molding and compounding, were analyzed by melt flow index and torque rheometry studies. A suitable blend of FS in LLDPE has been recommended for rotational molding based on rheological studies and dynamic mechanical analysis. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2995–3002, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Label‐free quantitative analysis of the casein kinase 2‐responsive phosphoproteome of the marine minimal model species Ostreococcus tauri
Authors: Le Bihan Thierry , Hindle Matthew , Martin Sarah F. , Barrios‐Llerena Martin E. , Krahmer Johanna , Kis Katalin , Millar Andrew J. , van Ooijen Gerben
Published: April 2015

Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a protein kinase that phosphorylates a plethora of cellular target proteins involved in processes including DNA repair, cell cycle control, and circadian timekeeping. CK2 is functionally conserved across eukaryotes, although the substrate proteins identified in a range of complex tissues are often different. The marine alga Ostreococcus tauri is a unicellular eukaryotic model organism ideally suited to efficiently study generic roles of CK2 in the cellular circadian clock. Overexpression of CK2 leads to a slow circadian rhythm, verifying functional conservation of CK2 in timekeeping. The proteome was analysed in wild‐type and CK2‐overexpressing algae at dawn and dusk, revealing that differential abundance of the global proteome across the day is largely unaffected by overexpression. However, CK2 activity contributed more strongly to timekeeping at dusk than at dawn. The phosphoproteome of a CK2 overexpression line and cells treated with CK2 inhibitor was therefore analysed and compared to control cells at dusk. We report an extensive catalogue of 447 unique CK2‐responsive differential phosphopeptide motifs to inform future studies into CK2 activity in the circadian clock of more complex tissues. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000975 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000975).
Three Ternary Rare Earth(III) Complexes Based on 3‐[(4,6‐Dimethyl‐2‐pyrimidinyl)thio]‐propanoic Acid and 1,10‐Phenanthroline: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Chen Xiao , Qu Jian‐Qiang
Published: April 2015

Three ternary rare earth [NdIII (1), SmIII (2) and YIII (3)] complexes based on 3‐[(4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐pyrimidinyl)thio]‐propanoic acid (HL) and 1,10‐phenanthroline (Phen) were synthesized and characterized by IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, TGA, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structures showed that complexes 1–3 contain dinuclear rare earth units bridged by four propionate groups and are of general formula [REL3(Phen)]2·nH2O (for 1 and 2: n = 2; for 3: n = 0). All rare earth ions are nine‐coordinate with distorted mono‐capped square antiprismatic coordination polyhedra. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c with a = 16.241(7) Å, b = 16.095(7) Å, c = 19.169(6) Å, β = 121.48(2)°. Complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c with a = 16.187(5) Å, b = 16.045(4) Å, c = 19.001(4) Å, β = 120.956(18)°. Complex 3 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1 with a = 11.390(6) Å, b = 13.636(6) Å, c = 15.958(7) Å, α = 72.310(17)°, β = 77.548(15)°, γ = 78.288(16)°. The antioxidant activity test shows that all complexes own higher antioxidant activity than free ligands.
Ciderius cooperi gen. nov., sp. nov., the earliest known euphaneropid from the Lower Silurian of Scotland
Authors: van der Brugghen Gambit
Published: April 2015

A new genus and species of euphaneropid, Ciderius cooperi, is recorded from the Lower Silurian Fish Bed Formation of the Midland Valley of Scotland on the basis of articulated material. Euphaneropids constitute an enigmatic group which is known from Devonian deposits in Scotland and Canada. The new find adds to our understanding of this group, in particular with regard to the morphology of some common anatomical elements. The paired head stains are here shown to contain clefts which can be interpreted as optic fissures, indicating that these are the remains of eyes. The anterior head stain is reconstructed and demonstrated to be a barrel-shaped object of an uncertain nature. Paired mineralisations situated in the posterior part of the cranial region appear to represent remains of the parachordals, while fossilised blood vessels might be preserved in the form of black lines which mark a greatly elongated branchial region, similar to euphaneropids. Serially repetitive rows of short horizontal stripes on the posterior half of the body are unique for the new taxo, but their interpretation is problematic.
The Core Pattern Analysis on Chinese Herbal Medicine for Sjögren's syndrome: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Chang Ching-Mao , Chu Hsueh-Ting , Wei Yau-Huei , Chen Fang-Pey , Wang Shengwen , Wu Po-Chang , Yen Hung-Rong , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Chang Hen-Hong
Published: April 2015

This large-scale survey aimed to evaluate frequencies and patterns of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) used for Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in Taiwan by analyzing the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) for cases in which CHM was used as an alternative therapy to Western medicine for improving patients' discomforts. We analyzed cases of SS principal diagnosis (ICD-9:710.2) with a catastrophic illness certificate (CIC) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) outpatient clinics from three cohorts of the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) in the NHIRD between 2002 and 2011. CHM prescription patterns for SS were evaluated from claimed visitation files and corresponding prescription files. There were 15,914 SS patients with CIC (SS/CIC) and we found only 130 SS/CIC cases visiting TCM clinics in LHID2000, 133 in LHID2005 and 126 in LHID2010. After removing duplicate data, 366 SS/CIC and 4,867 visits were analyzed. The 50–59 year age group showed the highest ratio (29.51%) in both women and men. “Qi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan” and “Xuan-Shen” (Scrophularia ningpoensisHemsl.) was the most commonly used formula and single herb, respectively. “Qi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan, Gan-Lu-Yin, Xuan-Shen, Mai-Men-Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus(L. f.) Ker-Gawl.) and Sheng-Di-Huang (rawRehmannia glutinosaLibosch)” were the core pattern prescriptions in treating SS/CIC.
Magnetoreception in the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus): influence of weak frequency-modulated radio frequency fields
Authors: Malkemper E. Pascal , Eder Stephan H. K. , Begall Sabine , Phillips John B. , Winklhofer Michael , Hart Vlastimil , Burda Hynek
Published: April 2015

The mammalian magnetic sense is predominantly studied in species with reduced vision such as mole-rats and bats. Far less is known about surface-dwelling (epigeic) rodents with well-developed eyes. Here, we tested the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus for magnetoreception using a simple behavioural assay in which mice are allowed to build nests overnight in a visually symmetrical, circular arena. The tests were performed in the ambient magnetic field or in a field rotated by 90°. When plotted with respect to magnetic north, the nests were bimodally clustered in the northern and southern sectors, clearly indicating that the animals used magnetic cues. Additionally, mice were tested in the ambient magnetic field with a superimposed radio frequency magnetic field of the order of 100 nT. Wood mice exposed to a 0.9 to 5 MHz frequency sweep changed their preference from north-south to east-west. In contrast to birds, however, a constant frequency field tuned to the Larmor frequency (1.33 MHz) had no effect on mouse orientation. In sum, we demonstrated magnetoreception in wood mice and provide first evidence for a radical-pair mechanism in a mammal.
Efficient intracellular delivery and improved biocompatibility of colloidal silver nanoparticles towards intracellular SERS immuno-sensing
Authors: Bhardwaj Vinay , Srinivasan Supriya , McGoron Anthony J.
Published: April 2015

As compared to free diffusion of bare (BR)-AgNPs, TATHA2 (TH)-mediated intracellular delivery of AgNPs is rapid and several fold higher (quantified by ICPMS) and results in preferentially uniform distribution (in situTEM), pre-requisites for intracellular SERS immuno-sensing.
Determination of reduced glutathione by spectrophotometry coupled with anti-interference compensation
Authors: Zheng Xifan , Duan Chao , Shen Jiangtao , Duan Xuehui
Published: April 2015

A novel anti-interference method was developed to detect reduced glutathione with a UV-vis spectrometer, and successfully applied to glutathione tracking of enzymatic synthesis.
Stable and efficient hole transporting materials with a dimethylfluorenylamino moiety for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Choi Hyeju , Cho Jin Woo , Kang Moon-Sung , Ko Jaejung
Published: April 2015

This communication describes the synthesis of two novel HTMs with a dimethylfluorenylamino moiety. The fluorenyl moiety plays a key role in preventing aggregation via molecular stacking and greater resistance to degradation, which resulted in a significant improvement in stability.
Synthesis of unsymmetric tertiary amines via alcohol amination
Authors: Pang Shaofeng , Deng Youquan , Shi Feng
Published: April 2015

The first one-pot synthesis of unsymmetric tertiary amines is reported by the amination of two types of alcohols with primary amines catalyzed by CuAlOx–HT.
Two-dimensional bricklayer arrangements of tolans using halogen bonding interactions
Authors: Frausto Fanny , Smith Zachary C. , Haas Terry E. , Thomas III Samuel W.
Published: April 2015

Diphenylacetylene (tolan) derivatives with self-complementary aryl halides and halogen bond-accepting nitriles form 2D bricklayer packing motifs when halogen bonding occurs.
Amphiphilic tertiary amine N-oxides: a mediated radical emulsion polymerization with non-formation of alkoxyamine dormant chains
Authors: Shen Kaihua , Qi Debang , Li Ying , Zhao Xinglin , Li Yang
Published: April 2015

Octadecylamine ethoxylate (EO = 5) N-oxides (AO-1805) were presented which are one kind of interfacial tertiary amine N-oxides that differs from TEMPO derivatives.
Solid lithium electrolytes based on an organic molecular porous solid
Authors: Park Jun Heuk , Suh Kyungwon , Rohman Md. Rumum , Hwang Wooseup , Yoon Minyoung , Kim Kimoon
Published: April 2015

A new type of thermally stable solid Li electrolytes prepared via incorporation of Li+ ions into porous cucurbit[6]uril (PCB[6]) exhibits high Li+ ion conductivity and mobility.
Enantioselective adsorption in homochiral metal–organic frameworks: the pore size influence
Authors: Gu Zhi-Gang , Grosjean Sylvain , Bräse Stefan , Wöll Christof , Heinke Lars
Published: April 2015

Uptake experiments in thin films of isoreticular chiral MOFs of type Cu2(Dcam)2(L) with identical stereogenic centers but different pore dimensions show that the enantioselectivity is significantly influenced by the pore size.
Ultrafast coherent oscillations reveal a reactive mode in the ring-opening reaction of fulgides
Authors: Slavov C. , Bellakbil N. , Wahl J. , Mayer K. , Rück-Braun K. , Burghardt I. , Wachtveitl J. , Braun M.
Published: April 2015

Ultrafast coherent dynamics reveals a low frequency vibrational mode governing the photochromic ring-opening reaction in indolylfulgide molecular switches.
Enzymatic kinetic resolution of internal propargylic diols. Part I: a new approach for the synthesis of (S)-pent-2-yn-1,4-diol, a natural product from Clitocybe catinus
Authors: Ferreira Jeiely G. , Princival Cleverson R. , Oliveira Dyego M. , Nascimento Renata X. , Princival Jefferson L.
Published: April 2015

An efficient two round EKR of bis-substituted propargylic diols has been described and applied for synthesize (S)-pent-2-yn-1,4-diol, a natural product from Clitocybe catinus.
Synergism between genome sequencing, tandem mass spectrometry and bio-inspired synthesis reveals insights into nocardioazine B biogenesis
Authors: Alqahtani Norah , Porwal Suheel K. , James Elle D. , Bis Dana M. , Karty Jonathan A. , Lane Amy L. , Viswanathan Rajesh
Published: April 2015

A noz gene cluster encoded by Nocardiopsis sp. CMB M0232 is presented, revealing the actinomycetes’ unique indole methylating and prenylating patterns, leading to anticancer nocardioazine alkaloids.
Controllable fabrication of stable superhydrophobic surfaces on iron substrates
Authors: Gao Haiyan , Lu Shixiang , Xu Wenguo , Szunerits Sabine , Boukherroub Rabah
Published: April 2015

A stable superhydrophobic surface with excellent corrosion resistance has been fabricatedviaelectrochemical machining and anneal without organic modification.
WS2nanoadditized lubricant for applications affected by hydrogen embrittlement
Authors: Niste Vlad Bogdan , Tanaka Hiroyoshi , Ratoi Monica , Sugimura Joichi
Published: April 2015

2H-WS2nanoparticle lubricant additives are a promising candidate for applications affected by hydrogen embrittlement. They generate a protective tribofilm which inhibits the permeation of hydrogen into rolling elements.
Preparation and thermoresponsive properties of helical polypeptides bearing pyridinium salts
Authors: Wu Yan , Wang Xi , Ling Ying , Tang Haoyu
Published: April 2015

Polypeptides bearing 3-methylpyridinium groups and BF4−prepared by nuleophilic substitution and ion-exchange reaction showed upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-type transitions in aqueous solutions.
Depression in glass transition temperature of multiwalled carbon nanotubes reinforced polycarbonate composites: effect of functionalization
Authors: Babal Arun Singh , Gupta Ravi , Singh Bhanu Pratap , Dhakate Sanjay R.
Published: April 2015

Acid functionalized MWCNTs/PC composites showed significant improvement in storage modulus upto 57% in glassy and 400% in rubbery region over pure polycarbonate.
High-resolution NMR structure of a Zn2+-containing form of the bacteriophage T5l-alanyl-d-glutamate peptidase
Authors: Prokhorov Dmitry A. , Mikoulinskaia Galina V. , Molochkov Nikolai V. , Uversky Vladimir N. , Kutyshenko Victor P.
Published: April 2015

The 3D-structure solution structure of the Zn2+-containing form of the bacteriophage T5 EndoT5-Zn2+is determined by the high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. The structural integrity of the entire molecule is controlled by the Zn2+binding.
Enhancing the electrode performance of Co3O4 through Co3O4@a-TiO2 core–shell microcubes with controllable pore size
Authors: Chu Yanting , Feng Jinkui , Qian Yitai , Xiong Shenglin
Published: April 2015

Co3O4@a-TiO2 structures have been realized by adjusting the solvent ratio. The excellent electrochemical activity of the composite is due to the good stability of TiO2 shell, high capacity of Co3O4 core, and the optimized porous size.
Chemical speciation of MeHg+ and Hg2+ in aqueous solution and HEK cells nuclei by means of DNA interacting fluorogenic probes
Authors: Díaz de Greñu Borja , García-Calvo José , Cuevas José , García-Herbosa Gabriel , García Begoña , Busto Natalia , Ibeas Saturnino , Torroba Tomás , Torroba Blanca , Herrera Antonio , Pons Sebastian
Published: April 2015

Speciation of Hg2+ and MeHg+ has been achieved by in vitro approaches with fluorogenic probes supported in cultured cells.
Polyethyleneimine-assisted synthesis of high-quality platinum/graphene hybrids: the effect of molecular weight on electrochemical properties
Authors: Gao Xueqing , Li Yumei , Zhang Qi , Li Shuni , Chen Yu , Lee Jong-Min
Published: April 2015

The molecular weight of PEI remarkably affected the electrocatalytic activity of Pt/RGO hybrids for the formic acid oxidation reaction.