bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The conundrum of profitability versus soundness for banks by ownership type: Evidence from the Indian banking sector
Authors: Banerjee Sreejata , Velamuri Malathi
Published: May 2015

Banks pursue profit like any business, but in their role as custodians of domestic savings, they are required to be cautious. Riskier but profitable advances may cause asset quality deterioration, thus affecting the long‐term viability of the entity. Financial sector reforms in India from the early 1990s, have raised the level of competition for banks of different ownership types — public sector (PSB), old private banks, new private banks, and foreign banks. We use panel data on 75 banks across the ownership spectrum, for the period 2000–13, to examine their performance vis‐à‐vis these two measures — profitability and soundness. We find evidence of significant heterogeneity in performance across ownership type. Overall, we find that there is a negative association between the profitability and soundness measures, though these effects vary by ownership type. PSBs, constrained by social outreach commitments, perform comparatively worse. A reluctance to increase commercial loans implies a lack of investment in the knowledge capital necessary for effective risk management. The smaller old private banks have a dedicated client base; despite the pressure of non‐performing assets, they remain profitable. Foreign banks maintain high capital adequacy ratio and relatively higher return on assets. The results also provide evidence that good human resource policy is vital for bank performance.
Cultivating Attitudes and Trellising Learning: A Permaculture Approach to Science and Sustainability Education
Authors: Lebo Nelson , Eames Chris
Published: May 2015

This article reports on an inquiry that used permaculture design thinking to create a science and sustainability education intervention for a secondary science class. The aims were tocultivate student attitudestowards science, towards learning science in school, and towards the environment, and totrellis learningof science and sustainability. Research into impacts of the intervention took the form of an interpretive, mixed methods case study, which included the use of questionnaires, interviews and observations. As a context for learning, local permaculture food production projects, as experienced through field trips in the intervention, appear to promote therelevanceof science and sustainability learning and the ability toengagestudents. Science and sustainability learning outcomes appeared to vary among students, although nearly all of them reported they enjoyed learning science with a focus on the environment, including one group of students who reported they did not generally enjoy learning science in school. There was some evidence that the teacher transformed his own thinking through his participation in the intervention.
COMMENTS ON “WHAT THE INTERNALIST SHOULD SAY TO THE TORTOISE”
Authors: Wright Sarah
Published: May 2015

Richard Fumerton has provided two possible responses that the internalist might make to the “Tortoise problem.” I argue that the second of these two responses is preferable, and I suggest one way that it might be strengthened.
The spontaneous generation of inertia–gravity waves during frontogenesis forced by large strain: numerical solutions
Authors: Shakespeare Callum J. , Taylor J. R.
Published: May 2015

A fully nonlinear numerical model is used to investigate spontaneous wave generation during two-dimensional frontogenesis forced by a horizontal strain field. The model uses the idealised configuration of an infinitely long straight front and uniform potential vorticity, with a uniform imposed convergent strain across the front. Shakespeare & Taylor (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 757, 2014, pp. 817–853) formulated a generalised analytical model (ST14) for this system that extends the classical Hoskins & Bretherton (J. Atmos. Sci., vol. 29, 1972, pp. 11–37) model (HB) to large strain rates (${\it\alpha}\sim f$). Here, we use a numerical model to simulate the fully nonlinear problem and compare the results with the predictions of the analytical model for a variety of strain rates. Even for weak strains (${\it\alpha}=0.2f$), the confinement of the secondary circulation and the spontaneous generation of waves, predicted by ST14, are shown to be important corrections to the HB solution. These inviscid predictions are also robust for an equilibrated front where strain-forced frontogenesis is balanced by diffusion. For strong strains the wavefield becomes of leading-order importance to the solution. In this case the frontal circulation is tightly confined, and the vertical velocity is an order of magnitude larger than in the HB model. The addition of a strain field that weakens with time allows the release and propagation of the spontaneously generated waves. We also consider fronts with both large vorticity and strain rate, beyond the validity of the ST14 model.
On viscous film flows coating the interior of a tube: thin-film and long-wave models
Authors: Camassa Roberto , Ogrosky H. Reed
Published: May 2015

A theoretical and numerical investigation of two classes of models for pressure-driven core–annular flow is presented. Both classes, referred to as ‘long-wave’ and ‘thin-film’ models, may be derived from a unified perspective using long-wave asymptotics, but are distinct from one another in the role played by the curved tube geometry with respect to the planar (limiting) case. Analytical and numerical techniques are used to show and quantify the significant differences between the behaviour of solutions to both model types. Temporal linear stability analysis of the constant solution is carried out first to pinpoint with closed-form mathematical expressions the different dynamical regimes associated with absolute or convective instabilities. Numerical simulations for the models are then performed and qualitative differences in the evolution of the free surface are explored. Mathematically, different levels of asymptotic accuracy are found to result in different regularizing properties affecting the long-time behaviour of generic numerical solutions. Travelling wave solutions are also studied, and qualitative differences in the topology of streamline patterns describing the flow of the film in a moving reference frame are discussed. These topological differences allow for further classification of the models. In particular, a transition from a regime in which waves trap a fluid core to one where waves travel faster than any parcel of the underlying fluid is documented for a variant of the primary model. In the corresponding thin-film model, no such transition is found to occur. The source of these differences is examined, and a comparison of the results with those of related models in the literature is given. A brief discussion of the merits of each class of models concludes this study.
The diameters and velocities of the droplets ejected after splashing
Authors: Riboux Guillaume , Gordillo José Manuel
Published: May 2015

When a drop impacts a smooth, dry surface at a velocity above the so-called critical speed for drop splashing, the initial liquid volume loses its integrity, fragmenting into tiny droplets that are violently ejected radially outwards. Here, we make use of the model of Riboux & Gordillo (Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 113, 2014, 024507), together with a one-dimensional approximation describing the flow in the ejected liquid sheet and of balances of mass and momentum at the border of the sheet, to calculate mean sizes and velocities of the ejected drops. The predictions of the model are in good agreement with experiments.
Sally Breen, 'Atomic City', Sydney: HarperCollins, 2013, ISBN 9 7807 3229 3017, 307 pp., $24.99
Authors: Neilsen Philip
Published: May 2015

Sally Breen, Atomic City, Sydney: HarperCollins, 2013, ISBN 9 7807 3229 3017, 307 pp., $24.99
For shade, colour and in memory of sacrifice
Authors: Griggs Peter
Published: May 2015

During the inter-war period, parts of Queensland were subjected to continued deforestation as successive state governments encouraged more intensive use of the state’s vast land reserves. Yet running parallel to this process was the deliberate planting of mainly exotic tree species — although it was on a small scale and located mostly throughout the streets of the state’s urban centres. This activity can be considered part of the earliest town planning efforts to improve the quality of the urban landscape in Queensland’s settlements, through the provision of shade and attractive surroundings. However, the public demands for street trees can also be seen as part of a wider community movement that was concerned about the type of environment being created in Queensland, particularly as so much of the state’s native forests were being destroyed and parts of the state during the 1910s and 1920s were overrun with prickly pear.
Malouf's invisible city
Authors: Gibson Suzie
Published: May 2015

By the time poet David Malouf wrote Johnno (1976), his first work of prose fiction, he was in his late thirties and living in the Renaissance city of Florence. Both European Florence and antipodean Brisbane mirror and enfold the novel’s eponymous hero, Johnno, and his narrator-creator, Dante. The Florentine poet, and by extension his medieval trappings, resonate throughout a tale about growing up in a frontier town far removed from the cosmopolitan centres of the Northern Hemisphere. This Italian connection can be explored further by considering Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities (1997) alongside Johnno. The depiction of Venice in Calvino’s novel can operate as a point of contrast and comparison to the river city of Brisbane, conjured by Malouf’s Dante.
ADORNMENT, RITUAL AND IDENTITY: INSCRIBED MINOAN JEWELLERY
Authors: Verduci Josephine , Davis Brent
Published: May 2015

In this paper, we re-examine inscribed items of Minoan jewellery in the light of the increasing number of studies on ancient eastern Mediterranean jewellery and its meanings. We reach a fourfold conclusion. First: as these objects, with one exception, are clearly associated with adult females, while the exception (a ring) cannot be affiliated with a particular gender or age, inscribed Minoan jewellery seems so far to lie mostly outside the purview of men. Second: these objects were almost certainly used to construct and broadcast the elite identity (and perhaps authority) of the people who wore them. Third: the objects may also have served as apotropaic amulets and/or symbols of rites of passage for their wearers, thus expressing certain rituals associated with the lives of the people who wore them. Fourth: inscribed items of Minoan jewellery may have played an active role in linking elite Minoan (and particularly elite Minoanfemale) identity and authority to the divine.
TRACTABLE FALSIFIABILITY
Authors: Gradwohl Ronen , Shmaya Eran
Published: May 2015

We propose to strengthen Popper’s notion of falsifiability by adding the requirement that when an observation is inconsistent with a theory, there must be a ‘short proof’ of this inconsistency. We model the concept of a short proof using tools from computational complexity, and provide some examples of economic theories that are falsifiable in the usual sense but not with this additional requirement. We consider several variants of the definition of ‘short proof’ and several assumptions about the difficulty of computation, and study their different implications on the falsifiability of theories.
OPPORTUNITY AND PREFERENCE LEARNING: A REPLY TO CHRISTIAN SCHUBERT
Authors: Sugden Robert
Published: May 2015

This paper replies to Christian Schubert's critical review of my work on opportunity as a normative criterion. Schubert argues that the criterion I have proposed would not command general assent because it does not recognize the legitimacy of individuals’ preferences for achieving self-development by constraining their future opportunities. I argue that my account of the ‘responsible agent’ is compatible with self-development, and that preferences for self-constraint are less common than Schubert suggests. For the purposes of normative economics, my opportunity criterion is much more generally applicable than Schubert's criterion of ‘opportunity to learn’.
FREE CENTRE-BY-NILPOTENT-BY-ABELIAN LIE RINGS OF RANK 2
Authors: ALEXANDROU MARIA , STÖHR RALPH
Published: May 2015

We study the free Lie ring of rank $2$ in the variety of all centre-by-nilpotent-by-abelian Lie rings of derived length $3$. This is the quotient $L/([\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{c}(L^{\prime }),L]+L^{\prime \prime \prime })$ with $c\geqslant 2$ where $L$ is the free Lie ring of rank $2$, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{c}(L^{\prime })$ is the $c$th term of the lower central series of the derived ideal $L^{\prime }$ of $L$, and $L^{\prime \prime \prime }$ is the third term of the derived series of $L$. We show that the quotient $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{c}(L^{\prime })+L^{\prime \prime \prime }/[\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{c}(L^{\prime }),L]+L^{\prime \prime \prime }$ is a direct sum of a free abelian group and a torsion group of exponent $c$. We exhibit an explicit generating set for the torsion subgroup.
ON THE NON-TRIVIALITY OF THE -ADIC ABEL–JACOBI IMAGE OF GENERALISED HEEGNER CYCLES MODULO , II: SHIMURA CURVES
Authors: Burungale Ashay A.
Published: May 2015

Generalised Heegner cycles are associated to a pair of an elliptic newform and a Hecke character over an imaginary quadratic extension$K/\mathbf{Q}$. The cycles live in a middle-dimensional Chow group of a Kuga–Sato variety arising from an indefinite Shimura curve over the rationals and a self-product of a CM abelian surface. Let$p$be an odd prime split in$K/\mathbf{Q}$. We prove the non-triviality of the$p$-adic Abel–Jacobi image of generalised Heegner cycles modulo$p$over the$\mathbf{Z}_{p}$-anticyclotomic extension of $K$. The result implies the non-triviality of the generalised Heegner cycles in the top graded piece of the coniveau filtration on the Chow group, and proves a higher weight analogue of Mazur’s conjecture. In the case of weight 2, the result provides a refinement of the results of Cornut–Vatsal and Aflalo–Nekovář on the non-triviality of Heegner points over the$\mathbf{Z}_{p}$-anticyclotomic extension of $K$.
The determinants of efficiency in the Canadian health care system
Authors: Allin Sara , Grignon Michel , Wang Li
Published: May 2015

In spite of the vast number of studies measuring economic efficiency in health care, there has been little take-up of this evidence by policy-makers to date. This study provides an illustration of how a system-level study drawing on best practice in empirical measurement of efficiency may be of practical use to health system decision makers and managers. We make use of the rich data available in Canada to undertake a robust two-stage data envelopment analysis to calculate efficiency at the regional (sub-provincial) level. Decisions about what the health system produces (the outcome to measure efficiency against) and what are the resources it has to produce that outcome were based on interviews and consultation with health system decision makers. Overall, we find large inefficiencies in the Canadian health care system, which could improve outcomes (here, measured as a reduction in treatable causes of death) by between 18 and 35% across our analyses. Also, we find that inefficiencies are the result of three main sets of factors that policy makers could pay attention to: management factors, such as hospital re-admissions; public health factors, such as obesity and smoking rates; and environmental factors such as the population’s average income.
Global Atmospheric Model Simulates Fine Details of Gravity Waves
Authors: Kollipara Puneet
Published: May 2015

Whole-atmosphere general circulation model captures many aspects of mesoscale gravity wave structures—down to the tens of kilometers—and resulting temperatures and tides.
FAS-ligand regulates differential activation-induced cell death of human T-helper 1 and 17 cells in healthy donors and multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Cencioni M T , Santini S , Ruocco G , Borsellino G , De Bardi M , Grasso M G , Ruggieri S , Gasperini C , Centonze D , Barilá D , Battistini L , Volpe E
Published: May 2015

Functionally distinct T-helper (Th) subsets orchestrate immune responses. Maintenance of homeostasis through the tight control of inflammatory Th cells is crucial to avoid autoimmune inflammation. Activation-Induced Cell Death (AICD) regulates homeostasis of T cells, and it has never been investigated in human Th cells. We generated stable clones of inflammatory Th subsets involved in autoimmune diseases, such as Th1, Th17 and Th1/17 cells, from healthy donors (HD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and we measured AICD. We find that human Th1 cells are sensitive, whereas Th17 and Th1/17 are resistant, to AICD. In particular, Th1 cells express high level of FAS-ligand (FASL), which interacts with FAS and leads to caspases’ cleavage and ultimately to cell death. In contrast, low FASL expression in Th17 and Th1/17 cells blunts caspase 8 activation and thus reduces cell death. Interestingly, Th cells obtained from healthy individuals and MS patients behave similarly, suggesting that this mechanism could explain the persistence of inflammatory IL-17-producing cells in autoimmune diseases, such as MS, where their generation is particularly substantial.
Wallenda regulates JNK-mediated cell death in Drosophila
Authors: Ma X , Xu W , Zhang D , Yang Y , Li W , Xue L
Published: May 2015

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway plays essential roles in regulating a variety of cellular processes including proliferation, migration and survival. Previous genetic studies in Drosophila have identified numerous cell death regulating genes, providing new insights into the mechanisms for related diseases. Despite the known role of the small GTPase Rac1 in regulating cell death, the downstream components and underlying mechanism remain largely elusive. Here, we show that Rac1 promotes JNK-dependent cell death through Wallenda (Wnd). In addition, we find that Wnd triggers JNK activation and cell death via its kinase domain. Moreover, we show that both MKK4 and Hep are critical for Wnd-induced cell death. Furthermore, Wnd is essential for ectopic Egr- or Rho1-induced JNK activation and cell death. Finally, Wnd is physiologically required for loss of scribble-induced JNK-dependent cell death. Thus, our data suggest that wnd encodes a novel essential cell death regulator in Drosophila.
Impairment of enzymatic antioxidant defenses is associated with bilirubin-induced neuronal cell death in the cerebellum of Ugt1 KO mice
Authors: Bortolussi G , Codarin E , Antoniali G , Vascotto C , Vodret S , Arena S , Cesaratto L , Scaloni A , Tell G , Muro A F
Published: May 2015

Severe hyperbilirubinemia is toxic during central nervous system development. Prolonged and uncontrolled high levels of unconjugated bilirubin lead to bilirubin-induced encephalopathy and eventually death by kernicterus. Despite extensive studies, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of bilirubin toxicity are still poorly defined. To fill this gap, we investigated the molecular processes underlying neuronal injury in a mouse model of severe neonatal jaundice, which develops hyperbilirubinemia as a consequence of a null mutation in the Ugt1 gene. These mutant mice show cerebellar abnormalities and hypoplasia, neuronal cell death and die shortly after birth because of bilirubin neurotoxicity. To identify protein changes associated with bilirubin-induced cell death, we performed proteomic analysis of cerebella from Ugt1 mutant and wild-type mice. Proteomic data pointed-out to oxidoreductase activities or antioxidant processes as important intracellular mechanisms altered during bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity. In particular, they revealed that down-representation of DJ-1, superoxide dismutase, peroxiredoxins 2 and 6 was associated with hyperbilirubinemia in the cerebellum of mutant mice. Interestingly, the reduction in protein levels seems to result from post-translational mechanisms because we did not detect significant quantitative differences in the corresponding mRNAs. We also observed an increase in neuro-specific enolase 2 both in the cerebellum and in the serum of mutant mice, supporting its potential use as a biomarker of bilirubin-induced neurological damage. In conclusion, our data show that different protective mechanisms fail to contrast oxidative burst in bilirubin-affected brain regions, ultimately leading to neurodegeneration.
Identification of thioridazine, an antipsychotic drug, as an antiglioblastoma and anticancer stem cell agent using public gene expression data
Authors: Cheng H-W , Liang Y-H , Kuo Y-L , Chuu C-P , Lin C-Y , Lee M-H , Wu A T H , Yeh C-T , Chen E I-T , Whang-Peng J , Su C-L , Huang C-YF
Published: May 2015

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common and malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) have been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis, tumor maintenance and therapeutic resistance. Thus, to discover novel candidate therapeutic drugs for anti-GBM and anti-GSCs is an urgent need. We hypothesized that if treatment with a drug could reverse, at least in part, the gene expression signature of GBM and GSCs, this drug may have the potential to inhibit pathways essential in the formation of GBM and thereby treat GBM. Here, we collected 356 GBM gene signatures from public databases and queried the Connectivity Map. We systematically evaluated the in vitro antitumor effects of 79 drugs in GBM cell lines. Of the drugs screened, thioridazine was selected for further characterization because it has potent anti-GBM and anti-GSCs properties. When investigating the mechanisms underlying the cytocidal effects of thioridazine, we found that thioridazine induces autophagy in GBM cell lines, and upregulates AMPK activity. Moreover, LC3-II was upregulated in U87MG sphere cells treated with thioridazine. In addition, thioridazine suppressed GBM tumorigenesis and induced autophagy in vivo. We not only repurposed the antipsychotic drug thioridazine as a potent anti-GBM and anti-GSCs agent, but also provided a new strategy to search for drugs with anticancer and anticancer stem cell properties.
Antitumour potential of BPT: a dual inhibitor of cdk4 and tubulin polymerization
Authors: Mahale S , Bharate S B , Manda S , Joshi P , Jenkins P R , Vishwakarma R A , Chaudhuri B
Published: May 2015

The marine natural product fascaplysin (1) is a potent Cdk4 (cyclin-dependent kinase 4)-specific inhibitor, but is toxic to all cell types possibly because of its DNA-intercalating properties. Through the design and synthesis of numerous fascaplysin analogues, we intended to identify inhibitors of cancer cell growth with good therapeutic window with respect to normal cells. Among various non-planar tryptoline analogues prepared, N-(biphenyl-2-yl) tryptoline (BPT, 6) was identified as a potent inhibitor of cancer cell growth and free from DNA-binding properties owing to its non-planar structure. This compound was tested in over 60 protein kinase assays. It displayed inhibition of Cdk4-cyclin D1 enzyme in vitro far more potently than many other kinases including Cdk family members. Although it blocks growth of cancer cells deficient in the mitotic-spindle checkpoint at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, the block occurs primarily at the G2/M phase. BPT inhibits tubulin polymerization in vitro and acts as an enhancer of tubulin depolymerization of paclitaxel-stabilized tubulin in live cells. Western blot analyses indicated that, in p53-positive cells, BPT upregulates the expression of p53, p21 and p27 proteins, whereas it downregulates the expression of cyclin B1 and Cdk1. BPT selectively kills SV40-transformed mouse embryonic hepatic cells and human fibroblasts rather than untransformed cells. BPT inhibited the growth of several human cancer cells with an IC50 <1 μM. The pharmacokinetic study in BALB/c mice indicated good plasma exposure after intravenous administration. It was found to be efficacious at 1/10th the maximum-tolerated dose (1000 mg/kg) against human tumours derived from HCT-116 (colon) and NCI-H460 (lung) cells in SCID (severe-combined immunodeficient) mice models. BPT is a relatively better anticancer agent than fascaplysin with an unusual ability to block two overlapping yet crucial phases of the cell cycle, mitosis and G0/G1. Its ability to effectively halt tumour growth in human tumour-bearing mice would suggest that BPT has the potential to be a candidate for further clinical development.
Decoupling the Lattice Distortion and Charge Doping Effects on the Phase Transition Behavior of VO2 by Titanium (Ti4+) Doping
Authors: Wu Yanfei , Fan Lele , Liu Qinghua , Chen Shi , Huang Weifeng , Chen Feihu , Liao Guangming , Zou Chongwen , Wu Ziyu
Published: May 2015

The mechanism for regulating the critical temperature (TC) of metal-insulator transition (MIT) in ions-doped VO2 systems is still a matter of debate, in particular, the unclear roles of lattice distortion and charge doping effects. To rule out the charge doping effect on the regulation of TC, we investigated Ti4+-doped VO2 (TixV1-xO2) system. It was observed that the TC of TixV1-xO2 samples first slightly decreased and then increased with increasing Ti concentration. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy was used to explore the electronic states and local lattice structures around both Ti and V atoms in TixV1-xO2 samples. Our results revealed the local structure evolution from the initial anatase to the rutile-like structure around the Ti dopants. Furthermore, the host monoclinic VO2 lattice, specifically, the VO6 octahedra would be subtly distorted by Ti doping. The distortion of VO6 octahedra and the variation of TC showed almost the similar trend, confirming the direct effect of local structural perturbations on the phase transition behavior. By comparing other ion-doping systems, we point out that the charge doping is more effective than the lattice distortion in modulating the MIT behavior of VO2 materials.
Seawater Incursion Events in a Cretaceous Paleo-lake Revealed by Specific Marine Biological Markers
Authors: Hu J. F. , Peng P. A. , Liu M. Y. , Xi D. P. , Song J. Z. , Wan X. Q. , Wang C. S.
Published: May 2015

Many large paleo-lakes in North China were formed after the Triassic Era. Seawater incursion events (SWIEs) in these lakes have been extensively discussed in the literature, yet lack reliable methodology and solid evidence, which are essential for reconstructing and confirming SWIEs. The present study employs specific marine biological markers (24-n-propyl and 24-isopropyl cholestanes) to trace SWIEs in a dated core taken from the Songliao Basin (SLB). Two SWIEs were identified. The first SWIE from 91.37 to 89.00 Ma, was continuous and variable but not strong, while the second SWIE from 84.72 to 83.72 Ma was episodic and strong. SWIEs caused high total organic carbon (TOC) and negative δ13Corgvalues in the sediments, which were interpreted as an indication of high productivity in the lake, due to the enhancement of nutrient supplies as well as high levels of aqueous CO2, due to the mixing of alkaline seawater and acidic lake water. The SWIEs in SLB were controlled by regional tectonic activity and eustatic variation. Movement direction changes of the Izanagi/Kula Plate in 90 Ma and 84 Ma created faults and triggered SWIEs. A high sea level, from 90 to 84 Ma, also facilitated the occurrence of SWIEs in SLB.
Characterization and noninvasive diagnosis of bladder cancer with serum surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and genetic algorithms
Authors: Li Shaoxin , Li Linfang , Zeng Qiuyao , Zhang Yanjiao , Guo Zhouyi , Liu Zhiming , Jin Mei , Su Chengkang , Lin Lin , Xu Junfa , Liu Songhao
Published: May 2015

This study aims to characterize and classify serum surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) spectra between bladder cancer patients and normal volunteers by genetic algorithms (GAs) combined with linear discriminate analysis (LDA). Two group serum SERS spectra excited with nanoparticles are collected from healthy volunteers (n = 36) and bladder cancer patients (n = 55). Six diagnostic Raman bands in the regions of 481–486, 682–687, 1018–1034, 1313–1323, 1450–1459 and 1582–1587 cm−1 related to proteins, nucleic acids and lipids are picked out with the GAs and LDA. By the diagnostic models built with the identified six Raman bands, the improved diagnostic sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 100% were acquired for classifying bladder cancer patients from normal serum SERS spectra. The results are superior to the sensitivity of 74.6% and specificity of 97.2% obtained with principal component analysis by the same serum SERS spectra dataset. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves further confirmed the efficiency of diagnostic algorithm based on GA-LDA technique. This exploratory work demonstrates that the serum SERS associated with GA-LDA technique has enormous potential to characterize and non-invasively detect bladder cancer through peripheral blood.
Multi-Service Highly Sensitive Rectifier for Enhanced RF Energy Scavenging
Authors: Shariati Negin , Rowe Wayne S. T. , Scott James R. , Ghorbani Kamran
Published: May 2015

Due to the growing implications of energy costs and carbon footprints, the need to adopt inexpensive, green energy harvesting strategies are of paramount importance for the long-term conservation of the environment and the global economy. To address this, the feasibility of harvesting low power density ambient RF energy simultaneously from multiple sources is examined. A high efficiency multi-resonant rectifier is proposed, which operates at two frequency bands (478–496 and 852–869 MHz) and exhibits favorable impedance matching over a broad input power range (−40 to −10 dBm). Simulation and experimental results of input reflection coefficient and rectified output power are in excellent agreement, demonstrating the usefulness of this innovative low-power rectification technique. Measurement results indicate an effective efficiency of 54.3% and an output DC voltage of 772.8 mV is achieved for a multi-tone input power of −10 dBm. Furthermore, the measured output DC power from harvesting RF energy from multiple services concurrently exhibits a 3.14 and 7.24 fold increase over single frequency rectification at 490 and 860 MHz respectively. Therefore, the proposed multi-service highly sensitive rectifier is a promising technique for providing a sustainable energy source for low power applications in urban environments.
Design of On-Chip N-Fold Orbital Angular Momentum Multicasting Using V-Shaped Antenna Array
Authors: Du Jing , Wang Jian
Published: May 2015

We design a V-shaped antenna array to realize on-chip multicasting from a single Gaussian beam to four orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams. A pattern search assisted iterative (PSI) algorithm is used to design an optimized continuous phase pattern which is further discretized to generate collinearly superimposed multiple OAM beams. Replacing the designed discrete phase pattern with corresponding V-shaped antennas, on-chip N-fold OAM multicasting is achieved. The designed on-chip 4-fold OAM multicasting exploiting V-shaped antenna array shows favorable operation performance with low crosstalk less than -15 dB.
Optimal search strategies on complex multi-linked networks
Authors: Di Patti Francesca , Fanelli Duccio , Piazza Francesco
Published: May 2015

In this paper we consider the problem of optimal search strategies on multi-linked networks, i.e. graphs whose nodes are endowed with several independent sets of links. We focus preliminarily on agents randomly hopping along the links of a graph, with the additional possibility of performing non-local hops to randomly chosen nodes with a given probability. We show that an optimal combination of the two jump rules exists that maximises the efficiency of target search, the optimum reflecting the topology of the network. We then generalize our results to multi-linked networks with an arbitrary number of mutually interfering link sets.
Prediction of novel alloy phases of Al with Sc or Ta
Authors: Bilić Ante , Gale Julian D. , Gibson Mark A. , Wilson Nick , McGregor Kathie
Published: May 2015

Using the evolutionary optimization algorithm, as implemented in the USPEX crystal predictor program and first principles total energy calculations, the compositional phase diagrams for Al-Sc and Al-Ta alloy systems at zero temperature and pressure have been calculated. In addition to the known binary intermetallic phases, new potentially stable alloys, AlSc3 and AlTa7, have been identified in the Al-poor region of the phase diagram. The dynamic and thermal stability of their lattices has been confirmed from the calculated vibrational normal mode spectra in the harmonic approximation.
Role of RNase H1 in DNA repair: removal of single ribonucleotide misincorporated into DNA in collaboration with RNase H2
Authors: Tannous Elias , Kanaya Eiko , Kanaya Shigenori
Published: May 2015

Several RNases H1 cleave the RNA-DNA junction of Okazaki fragment-like RNA-DNA/DNA substrate. This activity, termed 3’-junction ribonuclease (3’-JRNase) activity, is different from the 5’-JRNase activity of RNase H2 that cleaves the 5’-side of the ribonucleotide of the RNA-DNA junction and is required to initiate the ribonucleotide excision repair pathway. To examine whether RNase H1 exhibits 3’-JRNase activity for dsDNA containing a single ribonucleotide and can remove this ribonucleotide in collaboration with RNase H2, cleavage of a DNA8-RNA1-DNA9/DNA18 substrate with E. coli RNase H1 and H2 was analyzed. This substrate was cleaved by E. coli RNase H1 at the (5’)RNA-DNA(3’) junction, regardless of whether it was cleaved by E. coli RNase H2 at the (5’)DNA-RNA(3’) junction in advance or not. Likewise, this substrate was cleaved by E. coli RNase H2 at the (5’)DNA-RNA(3’) junction, regardless of whether it was cleaved by E. coli RNase H1 at the (5’)RNA-DNA(3’) junction in advance or not. When this substrate was cleaved by a mixture of E. coli RNases H1 and H2, the ribonucleotide was removed from the substrate. We propose that RNase H1 is involved in the excision of single ribonucleotides misincorporated into DNA in collaboration with RNase H2.
Different strategies, but indifferent strategy adaptation during action cascading
Authors: Mückschel Moritz , Stock Ann-Kathrin , Beste Christian
Published: May 2015

Every day, we need to apply different action control strategies to successfully interact with ever-changing environments. In situations requiring several responses, we often have to cascade different actions. The strategies used to accomplish this have been subject to extensive research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience but it has remained rather unclear if and to what degree such strategies are adapted while performing a task. Furthermore, we do not know if such adaptations are subject to differential effects depending on an individual’s preferred initial strategy to cope with multiple-demand situations. Using Bayesian analyses, we were able to show that even though the applied strategy is subject to slight modulations over the course of an action cascading task, this shift is equally strong for subjects who differ their general action cascading strategy. The action cascading strategy subjects apply to cope with multiple-demand situations is adapted independent of the preferred, inter-individually varying strategy that is initially used. Future research needs to test if the task goal activation strategy applied during action cascading reflects a ‘cognitive trait’ and is stable across different situations.
Dual-color dual-focus line-scanning FCS for quantitative analysis of receptor-ligand interactions in living specimens
Authors: Dörlich René M. , Chen Qing , Niklas Hedde Per , Schuster Vittoria , Hippler Marc , Wesslowski Janine , Davidson Gary , Nienhaus G. Ulrich
Published: May 2015

Cellular communication in multi-cellular organisms is mediated to a large extent by a multitude of cell-surface receptors that bind specific ligands. An in-depth understanding of cell signaling networks requires quantitative information on ligand-receptor interactions within living systems. In principle, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) based methods can provide such data, but live-cell applications have proven extremely challenging. Here, we have developed an integrated dual-color dual-focus line-scanning fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (2c2f lsFCS) technique that greatly facilitates live-cell and tissue experiments. Absolute ligand and receptor concentrations and their diffusion coefficients within the cell membrane can be quantified without the need to perform additional calibration experiments. We also determine the concentration of ligands diffusing in the medium outside the cell within the same experiment by using a raster image correlation spectroscopy (RICS) based analysis. We have applied this robust technique to study the interactions of two Wnt antagonists, Dickkopf1 and Dickkopf2 (Dkk1/2), to their cognate receptor, low-density-lipoprotein-receptor related protein 6 (LRP6), in the plasma membrane of living HEK293T cells. We obtained significantly lower affinities than previously reported using in vitro studies, underscoring the need to measure such data on living cells or tissues.
Mesoscale modelling of environmentally responsive hydrogels: emerging applications
Authors: Yeh Peter D. , Alexeev Alexander
Published: May 2015

We review recent advances in mesoscale computational modeling, focusing on dissipative particle dynamics, used to probe stimuli-sensitive behavior of hydrogels.
Near infrared light-driven liquid crystal phase transition enabled by hydrophobic mesogen grafted plasmonic gold nanorods
Authors: Gutierrez-Cuevas Karla G. , Wang Ling , Xue Chenming , Singh Gautam , Kumar Satyendra , Urbas Augustine , Li Quan
Published: May 2015

The photothermal effect of the embedded plasmonic gold nanorods can introduce the phase transition of thermotropic liquid crystals upon near infrared laser irradiation.
A Mo-doped TiNb2O7 anode for lithium-ion batteries with high rate capability due to charge redistribution
Authors: Song Hannah , Kim Yong-Tae
Published: May 2015

High rate capability of TiNb2O7 due to charge redistribution upon doping with Mo6+.
Palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative double allylic C–H oxygenation of alkenes: a novel and straightforward route to α,β-unsaturated esters
Authors: Yang Wanfei , Chen Huoji , Li Jianxiao , Li Chunsheng , Wu Wanqing , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: May 2015

We reported a strategically distinct approach to synthesize α,β-unsaturated esters through palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative double allylic C–H oxygenation of alkenes.
A supramolecular approach to improve the gene transfection efficacy of dendrimers
Authors: Shao Naimin , Dai Tianjiao , Liu Yan , Cheng Yiyun
Published: May 2015

Cyanuric acid is able to form complementary hydrogen bonds with melamine.
Reversible conversion of valence-tautomeric copper metal–organic frameworks dependent single-crystal-to-single-crystal oxidation/reduction: a redox-switchable catalyst for C–H bonds activation reaction
Authors: Huang Chao , Wu Jie , Song Chuanjun , Ding Ran , Qiao Yan , Hou Hongwei , Chang Junbiao , Fan Yaoting
Published: May 2015

Reversible structural transformations proceeded between a CuI framework and a CuICuII framework, which endowed them as a redox-convertible catalyst.
Uncaging a catalytic hydrogen peroxide generator through the photo-induced release of nitric oxide from a {MnNO}6complex
Authors: Iwamoto Yuji , Kodera Masahito , Hitomi Yutaka
Published: May 2015

A photo-caged catalytic generator of hydrogen peroxide.
The local electric field favours more than exposed nitrogen atoms on CO2 capture: a case study on the rht-type MOF platform
Authors: Gao Wen-Yang , Pham Tony , Forrest Katherine A. , Space Brian , Wojtas Lukasz , Chen Yu-Sheng , Ma Shengqian
Published: May 2015

Investigations of CO2 adsorption in two rht-MOFs indicated that the local electric field favours more than the exposed nitrogen atoms for the interactions with CO2 molecules.
Sodium-difluoro(oxalato)borate (NaDFOB): a new electrolyte salt for Na-ion batteries
Authors: Chen Juner , Huang Zhenguo , Wang Caiyun , Porter Spencer , Wang Baofeng , Lie Wilford , Liu Hua Kun
Published: May 2015

Compatible with various common solvents, a new electrolyte salt NaDFOB has been studied, which enables excellent reversible capacity and high rate capability when used in Na/Na0.44MnO2 half cells.
Photo-induced sol–gel processing for low-temperature fabrication of high-performance silsesquioxane membranes for use in molecular separation
Authors: Nishibayashi Mai , Yoshida Hiroyuki , Uenishi Masamoto , Kanezashi Masakoto , Nagasawa Hiroki , Yoshioka Tomohisa , Tsuru Toshinori
Published: May 2015

Silsesquioxane (SQ) membranes derived from 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane and bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane were successfully fabricated at low temperature via photo-induced sol–gel processing.
Gold atomic clusters extracting the valence electrons to shield the carbon monoxide passivation on near-monolayer core–shell nanocatalysts in methanol oxidation reactions
Authors: Chen Tsan-Yao , Li Hong Dao , Lee Guo-Wei , Huang Po-Chun , Yang Po-Wei , Liu Yu-Ting , Liao Yen-Fa , Jeng Horng-Tay , Lin Deng-Sung , Lin Tsang-Lang
Published: May 2015

Sub-nanometer Au clusters extract the valence charge from Pt and Ru crystallites to form a negatively charged shield that protects core–shell NCs from passivation by CO molecules.
What is the primary mover of water dynamics?
Authors: Ben Ishai P. , Tripathi S. R. , Kawase K. , Puzenko A. , Feldman Yu.
Published: May 2015

We present evidence that the microscopic origin of both the excess wing and the main relaxation process of pure water is the same.
Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS): a probe for molecular organisation in self-assembled biomimetic systems
Authors: Fong Celesta , Dong Aurelia W. , Hill Anita J. , Boyd Ben J. , Drummond Calum J.
Published: May 2015

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) has been shown to be highly sensitive to conformational, structural and microenvironmental transformations arising from subtle geometric changes in molecular geometry in self-assembling biomimetic systems.
Rapid direct injection LC-MS/MS method for analysis of prioritized indicator compounds in wastewater effluent
Authors: Anumol Tarun , Wu Shimin , Marques dos Santos Mauricius , Daniels Kevin D. , Snyder Shane A.
Published: May 2015

Trace organic compounds (TOrCs) have been detected in drinking water sources for several years, raising concerns due to their potential risks to public health.
Phloretin inhibits interleukin-1β-induced COX-2 and ICAM-1 expression through inhibition of MAPK, Akt, and NF-κB signaling in human lung epithelial cells
Authors: Huang Wen-Chung , Wu Shu-Ju , Tu Rong-Syuan , Lai You-Rong , Liou Chian-Jiun
Published: May 2015

Phloretin inhibited proinflammatory cytokine and COX-2 expression in IL-1β-activated human lung epithelial cells.
High-resolution CMOS MEA platform to study neurons at subcellular, cellular, and network levels
Authors: Müller Jan , Ballini Marco , Livi Paolo , Chen Yihui , Radivojevic Milos , Shadmani Amir , Viswam Vijay , Jones Ian L. , Fiscella Michele , Diggelmann Roland , Stettler Alexander , Frey Urs , Bakkum Douglas J. , Hierlemann Andreas
Published: May 2015

Novel CMOS-based microelectrode array to enable high-spatiotemporal- resolution access to neuronal preparations on subcellular, cellular, and network level.
Sophisticated oil film geometries through incomplete electrical dewetting by feedback control and Fourier construction
Authors: Hsieh Wan-Lin , Chen Kuo-Ching , Heikenfeld Jason
Published: May 2015

Use feedback and wave methods (Fourier construction) to create sophisticated oil film geometries through incomplete electrical dewetting.
Persulfides: current knowledge and challenges in chemistry and chemical biology
Authors: Park Chung-Min , Weerasinghe Laksiri , Day Jacob J. , Fukuto Jon M. , Xian Ming
Published: May 2015

This review article summarizes known knowledge about both small molecule persulfides and protein persulfides, including their preparation/detection methods, reactions, and biological implications.
Inductive proteomics and large dataset collections
Authors: Urbani Andrea , Roncada Paola , Modesti Alessandra , Timperio Anna Maria , Bini Luca , Fasano Mauro , Castagnola Massimo
Published: May 2015

Inductive reasoning has been the corner stone of a large plethora of proteomics investigations, shifting the a priori paradigm of classical cellular and molecular biology to the experimental observation of protein modulation. These studies are now providing better definitions of their application framework.
On-line coupling of continuous-flow gel electrophoresis with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry to quantitatively evaluate intracellular metal binding properties of metallochaperones HpHypA and HpHspA in E. coli cells
Authors: Wang Yuchuan , Hu Ligang , Yang Xinming , Chang Yuen-Yan , Hu Xuqiao , Li Hongyan , Sun Hongzhe
Published: May 2015

Quantitative analysis of metal selectivity of overexpressed metalloproteins in cells by GE-ICP-MS.
Genetic encoding of the post-translational modification 2-hydroxyisobutyryl-lysine
Authors: Knight William A. , Cropp T. Ashton
Published: May 2015

Adding 2-hydroxyisobutyryl lysine to the genetic code of E. coli is reported.
Rational design, synthesis and molecular modeling studies of novel anti-oncological alkaloids against melanoma
Authors: Girgis Adel S. , Panda Siva S. , Srour Aladdin M. , Farag Hanaa , Ismail Nasser S. M. , Elgendy Mohamed , Abdel-Aziz Amal K. , Katritzky Alan R.
Published: May 2015

Anti-oncological active spiro-alkaloids were synthesized exhibiting promising antitumor properties against melanoma cell lines. Molecular modeling studies describe the observed properties.
Photo-triggered fluorescent theranostic prodrugs as DNA alkylating agents for mechlorethamine release and spatiotemporal monitoring
Authors: Cao Yanting , Pan Rong , Xuan Weimin , Wei Yongyi , Liu Kejian , Zhou Jiahong , Wang Wei
Published: May 2015

A theranostic prodrug for mechlorethamine has been developed for photo-controlled release and monitoring by fluorescence spectroscopy.
Synthesis of 1,3,5-triazines via Cu(OAc)2-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of alcohols and amidine hydrochlorides
Authors: You Qing , Wang Fei , Wu Chaoting , Shi Tianchao , Min Dewen , Chen Huajun , Zhang Wu
Published: May 2015

1,3,5-Triazines were obtained via Cu(OAc)2 catalyzed reaction of benzamidine hydrochlorides and alcohols in air.
Catalysis by electrons and holes: formal potential scales and preparative organic electrochemistry
Authors: Luca Oana R. , Gustafson Jeffrey L. , Maddox Sean M. , Fenwick Aidan Q. , Smith Daryl C.
Published: May 2015

The present review surveys current chemical understanding of catalysis by addition and removal of an electron.
Autoinductive thiolation/oxygenation of alkenes at room temperature
Authors: Lu Qingquan , Wang Huamin , Peng Pan , Liu Chao , Huang Zhiyuan , Luo Yi , Lei Aiwen
Published: May 2015

Spontaneous O2 fixation by just mixing activated alkenes and thiols at room temperature is rationally demonstrated.
Control of the oxidation level of graphene oxide for high efficiency polymer solar cells
Authors: Wu Rui , Wang Ying , Chen Lie , Huang Liqiang , Chen Yiwang
Published: May 2015

Achieving high efficiency polymer solar cells by controlling the oxidation level of graphene oxide.
Rare earth (RE – Ce, Gd) modified Nd1−xRExFeAsO0.7F0.3 superconductor with enhanced magneto-transport properties
Authors: Aswathy P. M. , Anooja J. B. , Varghese Neson , Chandrakanth C. K. , Devendra Kumar N. , Sundaresan A. , Syamaprasad U.
Published: May 2015

The influence of rare earth (RE – Ce, Gd) doping at the Nd site in the NdFeAsO0.7F0.3 superconductor wherein Ce and Gd have ionic radii in the order Ce > Nd > Gd is investigated.
Effect of indium-modified palladium catalysts on the hydrodechlorination of 4-chlorophenol
Authors: Zhao Jinbo , Li Wanjun , Fang Deren
Published: May 2015

Adding the appropriate amount of In to a Pd catalyst can improve the dispersion of Pd particles and increase the HDC catalytic activity of 4-CP.