bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mulifunctional Dendritic Emitter: Aggregation-Induced Emission Enhanced, Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent Material for Solution-Processed Multilayered Organic Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Matsuoka Kenichi , Albrecht Ken , Yamamoto Kimihisa , Fujita Katsuhiko
Published: January 2017

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials emerged as promising light sources in third generation organic light-emitting diodes (OLED). Much effort has been invested for the development of small molecular TADF materials and vacuum process-based efficient TADF-OLEDs. In contrast, a limited number of solution processable high-molecular weight TADF materials toward low cost, large area, and scalable manufacturing of solution processed TADF-OLEDs have been reported so far. In this context, we report benzophenone-core carbazole dendrimers (GnB, n = generation) showing TADF and aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) properties along with alcohol resistance enabling further solution-based lamination of organic materials. The dendritic structure was found to play an important role for both TADF and AIEE activities in the neat films. By using these multifunctional dendritic emitters as non-doped emissive layers, OLED devices with fully solution processed organic multilayers were successfully fabricated and achieved maximum external quantum efficiency of 5.7%.
Polymorphism of apyrimidinic DNA structures in the nucleosome
Authors: Osakabe Akihisa , Arimura Yasuhiro , Matsumoto Syota , Horikoshi Naoki , Sugasawa Kaoru , Kurumizaka Hitoshi
Published: January 2017

Huge amounts (>10,000/day) of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites are produced in genomes, but their structures in chromatin remain undetermined. We determined the crystal structure of the nucleosome containing AP-site analogs at two symmetric sites, which revealed structural polymorphism: one forms an inchworm configuration without an empty space at the AP site, and the other forms a B-form-like structure with an empty space and the orphan base. This unexpected inchworm configuration of the AP site is important to understand the AP DNA repair mechanism, because it may not be recognized by the major AP-binding protein, APE1, during the base excision repair process.
Simple and complex retinal dystrophies are associated with profoundly different disease networks
Authors: Kiel Christina , Lastrucci Claire , Luthert Philip J. , Serrano Luis
Published: January 2017

Retinopathies are a group of monogenetic or complex retinal diseases associated with high unmet medical need. Monogenic disorders are caused by rare genetic variation and usually arise early in life. Other diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), develop late in life and are considered to be of complex origin as they develop from a combination of genetic, ageing, environmental and lifestyle risk factors. Here, we contrast the underlying disease networks and pathological mechanisms of monogenic as opposed to complex retinopathies, using AMD as an example of the latter. We show that, surprisingly, genes associated with the different forms of retinopathies in general do not overlap despite their overlapping retinal phenotypes. Further, AMD risk genes participate in multiple networks with interaction partners that link to different ubiquitous pathways affecting general tissue integrity and homeostasis. Thus AMD most likely represents an endophenotype with differing underlying pathogenesis in different subjects. Localising these pathomechanisms and processes within and across different retinal anatomical compartments provides a novel representation of AMD that may be extended to complex disease in general. This approach may generate improved treatment options that target multiple processes with the aim of restoring tissue homeostasis and maintaining vision.
Lysosomal dysfunction and autophagy blockade contribute to IMB-6G-induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Liu Lu , Zhang Na , Dou Yueying , Mao Genxiang , Bi Chongwen , Pang Weiqiang , Liu Xiaojia , Song Danqing , Deng Hongbin
Published: January 2017

Targeting the autophagic pathway is currently regarded as an attractive strategy for cancer drug discovery. Our previous work showed that IMB-6G is a novel N-substituted sophoridinic acid derivative with potent cytotoxicity against tumor cells, yet the effect of IMB-6G on autophagy and pancreatic cancer cell death remains unknown. Here, we show that IMB-6G inhibits the growth of MiaPaCa-2 and HupT-3 pancreatic cancer cells and induces caspase-mediated apoptosis, which is correlated with an accumulation of autophagic vacuoles. IMB-6G promotes autophagosome accumulation from the early stage of treatment but blocks autophagic flux in the degradation stage, mainly through attenuation of lysosomal cathepsin activity in pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover, IMB-6G triggers lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), followed by cathepsin B/CTSB and cathepsin D/CTSD release from lysosomes into the cytoplasm. Inhibition of autophagosome formation with siRNA against autophagy protein 5 (Atg5) attenuates IMB-6G-induced LMP and apoptosis. Furthermore, cathepsin inhibitors relieve IMB-6G-induced apoptosis as well. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that IMB-6G is a novel autophagy inhibitor, which induces autophagy-dependent apoptosis through autophagosomal-cathepsin axis in pancreatic cancer cells and indicate the potential value of IMB-6G as a novel antitumor drug candidate.
Medical history of discordant twins and environmental etiologies of autism
Authors: Willfors C , Carlsson T , Anderlid B-M , Nordgren A , Kostrzewa E , Berggren S , Ronald A , Kuja-Halkola R , Tammimies K , Bölte S
Published: January 2017

The environmental contributions to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their informative content for diagnosing the condition are still largely unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate associations between early medical events and ASD, as well as autistic traits, in twins, to test the hypothesis of a cumulative environmental effect on ASD risk. A total of 80 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs (including a rare sample of 13 twin pairs discordant for clinical ASD) and 46 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs with varying autistic traits, were examined for intra-pair differences in early medical events (for example, obstetric and neonatal factors, first year infections). First, differences in early medical events were investigated using multisource medical records in pairs qualitatively discordant for ASD. The significant intra-pair differences identified were then tested in relation to autistic traits in the remaining sample of 100 pairs, applying generalized estimating equations analyses. Significant association of the intra-pair differences in the MZ pairs were found for the cumulative load of early medical events and clinical ASD (Z=−2.85, P=0.004) and autistic traits (β=78.18, P=0.002), as well as infant dysregulation (feeding, sleeping abnormalities, excessive crying and worriedness), when controlling for intelligence quotient and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbidity. The cumulative load of early medical events in general, and infant dysregulation in particular, may index children at risk of ASD owing to non-shared environmental contributions. In clinical practice, these findings may facilitate screening and early detection of ASD.
Further support for association between GWAS variant for positive emotion and reward systems
Authors: Lancaster T M , Ihssen N , Brindley L M , Linden D E J
Published: January 2017

A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified a significant single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for trait-positive emotion at rs322931 on chromosome 1, which was also associated with brain activation in the reward system of healthy individuals when observing positive stimuli in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study. In the current study, we aimed to further validate the role of variation at rs322931 in reward processing. Using a similar fMRI approach, we use two paradigms that elicit a strong ventral striatum (VS) blood oxygen-level dependency (BOLD) response in a sample of young, healthy individuals (N=82). In the first study we use a similar picture-viewing task to the discovery sample (positive>neutral stimuli) to replicate an effect of the variant on emotion processing. In the second study we use a probabilistic reversal learning procedure to identify reward processing during decision-making under uncertainly (reward>punishment). In a region of interest (ROI) analysis of the bilateral VS, we show that the rs322931 genotype was associated with BOLD in the left VS during the positive>neutral contrast (PROI-CORRECTED=0.045) and during the reward>punishment contrast (PROI-CORRECTED=0.018), although the effect of passive picture viewing was in the opposite direction from that reported in the discovery sample. These findings suggest that the recently identified GWAS hit may influence positive emotion via individual differences in activity in the key hubs of the brain’s reward system. Furthermore, these effects may not be limited to the passive viewing of positive emotional scenes, but may also be observed during dynamic decision-making. This study suggests that future studies of this GWAS locus may yield further insight into the biological mechanisms of psychopathologies characterised by deficits in reward processing and positive emotion.
Control of chronic excessive alcohol drinking by genetic manipulation of the Edinger–Westphal nucleus urocortin-1 neuropeptide system
Authors: Giardino W J , Rodriguez E D , Smith M L , Ford M M , Galili D , Mitchell S H , Chen A , Ryabinin A E
Published: January 2017

Midbrain neurons of the centrally projecting Edinger–Westphal nucleus (EWcp) are activated by alcohol, and enriched with stress-responsive neuropeptide modulators (including the paralog of corticotropin-releasing factor, urocortin-1). Evidence suggests that EWcp neurons promote behavioral processes for alcohol-seeking and consumption, but a definitive role for these cells remains elusive. Here we combined targeted viral manipulations and gene array profiling of EWcp neurons with mass behavioral phenotyping in C57BL/6 J mice to directly define the links between EWcp-specific urocortin-1 expression and voluntary binge alcohol intake, demonstrating a specific importance for EWcp urocortin-1 activity in escalation of alcohol intake.
Advanced paternal age effects in neurodevelopmental disorders—review of potential underlying mechanisms
Authors: Janecka M , Mill J , Basson M A , Goriely A , Spiers H , Reichenberg A , Schalkwyk L , Fernandes C
Published: January 2017

Multiple epidemiological studies suggest a relationship between advanced paternal age (APA) at conception and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring, particularly with regard to increased risk for autism and schizophrenia. Conclusive evidence about how age-related changes in paternal gametes, or age-independent behavioral traits affect neural development is still lacking. Recent evidence suggests that the origins of APA effects are likely to be multidimensional, involving both inherited predisposition and de novo events. Here we provide a review of the epidemiological and molecular findings to date. Focusing on the latter, we present the evidence for genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underpinning the association between late fatherhood and disorder in offspring. We also discuss the limitations of the APA literature. We propose that different hypotheses relating to the origins of the APA effects are not mutually exclusive. Instead, multiple mechanisms likely contribute, reflecting the etiological complexity of neurodevelopmental disorders.
A critical insight into the development pipeline of microfluidic immunoassay devices for the sensitive quantitation of protein biomarkers at the point of care
Authors: Barbosa Ana I. , Reis Nuno M.
Published: January 2017

A critical review on the development of microfluidic tests capable of the high-sensitivity measurement of protein biomarkers at the point-of-care.
Electrical bistability in a metal–organic framework modulated by reversible crystalline-to-amorphous transformations
Authors: Xiu Jing-Wei , Wang Guan-E , Yao Ming-Shui , Yang Chun-Chuen , Lin Chia-Her , Xu Gang
Published: January 2017

We reported an interesting electrical bistability of an MOF material, which was reversibly modulated by its crystalline and amorphous transformations.
The first nucleophilic C–H perfluoroalkylation of aromatic compounds via (arene)tricarbonylchromium complexes
Authors: Kirij Natalia V. , Filatov Andrey A. , Khrapach Gleb Yu. , Yagupolskii Yurii L.
Published: January 2017

Complexed and reversibly activated arenes selectively react with a perfluoroalkyl anion under mild conditions, forming cyclohexadienyl adducts that readily undergo oxidation to perfluoroalkyl arenes.
Charge transport mechanisms in sol–gel grown La0.7Pb0.3MnO3/LaAlO3 manganite films
Authors: Vaghela Eesh , Keshvani M. J. , Gadani Keval , Joshi Zalak , Boricha Hetal , Asokan K. , Venkateshwarlu D. , Ganesan V. , Shah N. A. , Solanki P. S.
Published: January 2017

In this communication, structural, microstructural, transport and magnetotransport properties are reported for La0.7Pb0.3MnO3/LaAlO3 (LPMO/LAO) manganite films having different thicknesses.
Origin of the low grain boundary conductivity in lithium ion conducting perovskites: Li3xLa0.67−xTiO3
Authors: Wu Jian-Fang , Guo Xin
Published: January 2017

Although the bulk conductivity of lithium ion conducting Li3xLa0.67−xTiO3 electrolytes reaches the level of 10−3 S cm−1, the grain boundary conductivity is orders of magnitude lower; the origin of the low grain boundary conductivity should be thoroughly understood as a prerequisite to improve the overall conductivity.
Bi(iii) immobilization inside MIL-101: enhanced photocatalytic performance
Authors: Kovalenko Konstantin A. , Ruban Natalia V. , Adonin Sergey A. , Korneev Denis V. , Erenburg Simon B. , Trubina Svetlana V. , Kvashnina Kristina , Sokolov Maxim N. , Fedin Vladimir P.
Published: January 2017

Bi(iii) particles were immobilized into the cages of mesoporous chromium oxoterephthalate MIL-101. The material obtained possesses enhanced photocatalytic activity in comparison with bulk BiOCl synthesized under the same conditions.
Cyclic poly(l-lactide)s via ring-expansion polymerizations catalysed by 2,2-dibutyl-2-stanna-1,3-dithiolane
Authors: Kricheldorf H. R. , Weidner S. M. , Scheliga F.
Published: January 2017

l-Lactide was polymerized in bulk at 120 or 160 °C with a cyclic dibutyltin catalyst derived from 1,2-dimercaptoethane.
Structural, optical and magnetic properties of N ion implanted CeO2 thin films
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Kumar Parmod , Kumar Ashish , Sulania Indra , Chand F. , Asokan K.
Published: January 2017

The present study reports the structural, morphological, optical and magnetic properties of N ion implanted CeO2 thin films deposited by a RF magnetron sputtering technique.
Photo-responsive thiol–ene networks for the design of switchable polymer patterns
Authors: Radl S. V. , Schipfer C. , Kaiser S. , Moser A. , Kaynak B. , Kern W. , Schlögl S.
Published: January 2017

Photo-patternable thiol–ene networks are prepared by combining versatile o-NBE chemistry with the distinctive advantages of a typical “click” reaction.
Correction: Construction of AgCl/Ag/BiOCl with a concave-rhombicuboctahedron core–shell hierarchitecture and enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Xu Zhikun , Lin Shuang-Yan
Published: January 2017

Correction for ‘Construction of AgCl/Ag/BiOCl with a concave-rhombicuboctahedron core–shell hierarchitecture and enhanced photocatalytic activity’ by Zhikun Xu et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 84738–84747.
Robust proportional–integral–derivative design for processes with interval parametric uncertainty
Authors: Mercader Pedro , Baños Alfonso , Vilanova Ramón
Published: January 2017

A novel method for designing proportional–integral–derivative controllers for processes containing interval parametric uncertainty is presented. The control design problem is posed as an optimisation problem where performance is maximised subject to some stability margins over a family of transfer functions. The resulting problem falls within the category of robust optimisation (RO) problems. The authors derive conditions that allow to obtain a solution to the RO problem by solving a nominal optimisation problem (in some cases at the expense of introducing some conservatism). This simplification is made by introducing an instrumental fractional‐order plant that characterises the uncertain (interval) process and stating certain conditions over the fractional‐order loop transfer function. The design approach is also applied to a Smith‐predictor‐based dead‐time compensator. Some examples are given throughout this study to illustrate the proposed design method.
Automatic tuning of PID controllers using frequency sampling filters
Authors: Wang Liuping
Published: January 2017

This study proposes new proportional—integral—derivative (PID) controller auto‐tuners using frequency sampling filters (FSFs) for the estimation of plant frequency response information under relay feedback control. It differs from the existing auto‐tuners in the estimation of plant frequency response information and its utilisation in the frequency domain‐based PID controller design. A desired closed‐loop time constant is selected by the user as the scaling factor of the estimated open‐loop time constant. Simulation examples are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the auto‐tuner and its characteristics in disturbance rejection and reference following, indicating that the auto‐tuner produces satisfactory closed‐loop control performance for the commonly encountered systems in process control. In addition, Monte Carlo simulation studies are used to demonstrate that the FSF model‐based algorithm requires not only shorter experimental time to achieve higher accuracy in estimation but also provides much improvement over the traditional Fourier analysis‐based approaches when disturbances are encountered during the relay experiments.
Analytical method for levitation force calculation of radial HTS magnetic bearings
Authors: Naseh Mojtaba , Heydari Hossein
Published: January 2017

Introducing high‐temperature superconductors (HTS) and their outstanding properties stimulates scientists and engineers in various fields to modernise the products with this new technology. Electric power industry also was affected by this finding in different branches including bearings. The idea of HTS bearings was rapidly developed due to its two main features, i.e. self‐stability and contactless operation which leads to save remarkable amount of energy. However, a successful implementation of HTS bearing undoubtedly requires an accurate modelling in the beginning. The contribution of this study is an analytical method for simulating the electromagnetic behaviour of a radial HTS magnetic bearing. The governing non‐linear system of partial differential equations in the HTS bulks deduced from the H‐formulation along with the E–J power law and is efficiently solved using variational iteration method (VIM). The validity of VIM is ascertained by comparing the results with numerical two‐dimensional axisymmetric finite‐element method simulations.
High-resolution study of oscillator strengths and predissociation rates for 13C18O
Authors: Eidelsberg M. , Lemaire J. L. , Federman S. R. , Heays A. N. , Stark G. , Lyons J. R. , Gavilan L. , de Oliveira N.
Published: January 2017

We carried out experiments at the SOLEIL synchrotron facility to acquire data for modelling CO photochemistry in the vacuum ultraviolet. We report oscillator strengths and predissociation rates for four vibrational bands associated with transitions from the v = 0 level of the X\hbox{$^{1}\Sigma^{+}$} ground state to the v = 0–3 vibrational levels of the core excited W1Π Rydberg state, and for three overlapping bands associated with the 4pπ, 5pπ, and 5pσ Rydberg states between 92.9 and 93.4 nm in 13C18O. These results complete those obtained in the same conditions for 12C16O, 13C16O, and 12C18O recently published by us, and extend the development of a comprehensive database of line positions, oscillator strengths, and linewidths of photodissociating transitions for CO isotopologues. Absorption spectra were recorded using the Vacuum UltraViolet Fourier Transform Spectrometer (VUV-FTS) installed on the Dichroïsme Et Spectroscopie par Interaction avec le Rayonnement Synchrotron (DESIRS) beamline at SOLEIL. The resolving power of the measurements, R = 300 000 to 400 000, allows the analysis of individual line strengths and widths within the bands. Gas column densities in the differentially pumped system were calibrated using the B-X (0–0) band at 115.1 nm in 13C18O.
Improving Safe and Effective Use of Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: Workshop Summary
Authors: Riley Laura , Cahill Alison , Beigi Richard , Savich Renate , Saade George
Published: January 2017

In February 2015, given high rates of use of medications by pregnant women and the relative lack of data on safety and efficacy of many drugs utilized in pregnancy, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) convened a group of experts to review the “current” state of the clinical care and science regarding medication use during the perinatal period. The expert panel chose select medications to demonstrate what existing safety and efficacy data may be available for clinicians and patients when making decisions about use in pregnancy or lactation. Furthermore, these example medications also provided opportunities to highlight where data are lacking, thus forming a list of research gaps. Last, after reviewing the existing vaccine safety surveillance system as well as the legislative history surrounding the use of drugs for pediatric diseases, the expert panel made specific recommendations concerning policy efforts to stimulate more research and regulatory attention on drugs for pregnant and lactating women.
Die Leitlinie „Akutes Skrotum im Kindes und Jugendalter“ kurzgefasst
Authors: Lorenz C.
Published: January 2017

Die Leitlinie (LL) „Akutes Skrotum im Kindes- und Jugendalter“ ist von Vertretern der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kinderchirurgie (DGKCH), der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Urologie e.V. und der Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Radiologie e.V. erarbeitet und durch die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin bestätigt worden. Sie wurde im Dezember 2015 online gestellt. Nachfolgend werden Kernaussagen der LL chronologisch zusammengefasst. Dazugehörige Quellenangaben finden sich im Original [1]. Durch Abstimmung konsentiert Aussagen der LL sind markiert (#).
Onboarding customer companies to electronic invoicing platform – developing a marketing and a partnering strategy for Tieto, an e-invoicing service provider
Authors: Penttinen Esko , Rinta-Kahila Tapani
Published: January 2017

This teaching case deals with onboarding and partnering issues of electronic invoicing service providers. The students are expected to familiarize themselves with e-invoicing, a current form of many-to-many inter-organizational information systems that is being adopted widely, understand the business model of an e-invoicing service provider, and develop an onboarding and a partnering strategy for the service provider. The student (or student case group) is given one out of three profiles of e-invoicing service providers, and the students are expected to solve the case taking into consideration their specific profile. A case discussion is encouraged in class so that the student (given a profile of an e-invoicing service providers) may interact and negotiate with other students (student groups with different profiles).
Large magnetoelectric effect in organic ferroelectric copolymer-based multiferroic tunnel junctions
Authors: Subedi Ram Chandra , Geng Rugang , Luong Hoang Mai , Huang Weichuan , Li Xiaoguang , Hornak Lawrence A. , Nguyen Tho Duc
Published: January 2017

We report electrically controlled interfacial spin polarization, or the magnetoelectric effect in multiferroic tunnel junctions by employing organic ferroelectric copolymers, poly(vinylindene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)), as a tunneling barrier. First, we show that the ferroelectric domains and spontaneous ferroelectric polarization of the P(VDF-TrFE) films can be formed in a thin interlayer. Next, we demonstrate that the tunneling magnetoresistance in the unpolarized multiferroic tunnel junction severely quenches from 21% at 20 K to 0.7% at 296 K. Remarkably, we find that the interfacial spin polarization of the device, dubbed spinterface, can be gradually tuned by controlling the ferroelectric polarization with an applied electric field. Specifically, the tunneling electromagnetoresistance can reach around 1000% while the tunneling electroresistance reaches about 30% at 200 K. We speculate that the interface might act as a polarization-dependent spin filter causing the large spinterface effect. The result suggests that organic magnetoelectric-based information storage with four-state bits is feasible at room temperature.
Experimental study on the multimodal dynamics of the turbulent horseshoe vortex system around a circular cylinder
Authors: Chen Qigang , Qi Meilan , Zhong Qiang , Li Danxun
Published: January 2017

A turbulent horseshoe vortex (HV) system is generated around a wall-normal cylinder when the approaching boundary layer separates from the wall. This study investigates the dynamics of the turbulent HV system around a circular cylinder in open channel flows with cylinder Reynolds numbers ranging from 8600 to 13900. The velocity fields in the upstream symmetry plane of the cylinder are measured using time-resolved particle image velocimetry. The joint probability density function of the streamwise and vertical velocities in the HV system region is found to exhibit three peaks, indicating that three major types of flow events are induced by the turbulent HV system. The conditional averaged velocity fields based on the characteristic velocity vectors of these events are obtained by using the method of linear stochastic estimation. The estimated flow fields reveal that the turbulent HV system interplays mainly among the back-flow, intermediate, and zero-flow modes. These modes are present for the smallest, moderate, and largest percentage of time, respectively, within the present Reynolds-number range. The major mechanism for triggering the zero-flow mode is the occurrence of an inrush of high-momentum fluid from the inner region of the approaching flow. The intermediate mode appears when the inrush of fluid is weaker than the reverse flow below the primary HV or a tertiary vortex approaches the primary HV.
Tuning flexibility to control selectivity in soft porous crystals
Authors: Mahynski Nathan A. , Shen Vincent K.
Published: January 2017

We use flat-histogram Monte Carlo simulations to study how changing the flexibility of soft porous crystals (SPCs) affects their selective adsorption of a binary, size-asymmetric supercritical fluid. Specifically, we consider mesoporous SPCs which have multiple minima in their free energy profiles as a function of pore size such that they are capable of exhibiting polymorphism between a narrow and large pore phase. While specific fluid-pore interactions determine the shape of both pores’ selectivity curve as a function of adsorbate pressure, an individual pore tends to selectively adsorb a species based on the size of the adsorbate molecule relative to itself, thereby shifting the pore’s selectivity curve relative to its polymorph. By controlling the flexibility of a SPC, the relative thermodynamic stability of the two pore phases may be varied, thereby changing the overall selectivity of the SPC during adsorbate loading. We investigate this for two classes of SPCs: one representative of “gate-opening” materials and another of “breathing” materials. For gate-opening materials, this control is much more salient than in breathing ones. However, for the latter, we illustrate how to tune the free energy profile to create materials which breathe multiple times during adsorption/desorption.
Two-photon absorption cross section of magnetite nanoparticles in magnetic colloids and thin films
Authors: Espinosa D. , Gonçalves E. S. , Figueiredo Neto A. M.
Published: January 2017

We present z-scan measurements of magnetic nanoparticles made from magnetite in both thin film form and colloidal solutions. In order to avoid heating and, thus, spurious effects that could lead to misinterpretation of the z-scan results, an electro-mechanical shutter was added along the beam path in order to guarantee samples thermal relaxation. Two photon absorption coefficient β and nonlinear refractive index n2 were measured as a function of concentration N of absorbing units (Fe3O4). Our magnetite samples presented n2≈−1.5×10−14 cm2/W, similar to that of the liquid carrier, for concentrations below 2×1020 cm−3. n2 increases, in absolute value, to about −10×10−14 cm2/W for a sample three times more concentrated and then decreases with N until about −7×10−14 cm2/W for the most concentrated sample. β presented a linear dependence with N and the two-photon absorption cross section σ2PA was calculated, resulting in σ2PA=50(2) GM for magnetite nanoparticles.
Generalized sheath criterion for arbitrary degenerate plasmas
Authors: Akbari-Moghanjoughi M.
Published: January 2017

In this research, we study the generalized sheath criterion for plasmas with an arbitrary degree of electron degeneracy and temperature, ranging from the classical dilute regime to the fully degenerate quantum plasmas. The latter may be relevant to warm dense matter and/or laboratory high energy density matter or even astrophysical stellar plasmas. The hydrostatic one dimensional model is used to establish the generalized Bohm's criterion for sheath entrance ion speed limits, and the small amplitude theory of the sheath problem, which accurately describes the sheath parameters for lower ion acoustic Mach numbers, is developed. Our results indicate that the sheath characteristic parameters such as electrostatic potential and density profiles, as well as the wall potential and the sheath length, are significantly affected by plasma parameters such as the ion and electron temperature and number densities in the plasma region. In particular, there are fundamental differences between sheath structures of the dilute classical plasmas and those of dense quantum ones.
Factors affecting the exploding characteristics of tungsten wires with negative-polarity current
Authors: Shi Yuanjie , Shi Zongqian , Wang Kun , Wu Ziqian , Jia Shenli
Published: January 2017

This paper presents the experimental results of electrical explosion of tungsten (W) wires in a vacuum using a negative-polarity current pulse with a magnitude of 1–2 kA. Uniform wire explosions with deposited energy sufficient for full vaporization are achieved for 0.5 cm-long W wires with the help of dielectric coating and soldering. Experimental results show that the dielectric coating can give 2–3 times more energy deposition by delaying the voltage breakdown. In order to improve the electrical contact, the metallic oxide on the surface of the electrodes is removed with sandpaper, and then the W wire is soldered to the electrodes. It is found that the improved electrical contact does not have an obvious influence on increasing the energy deposition. However, from the optical images, it can be seen that the uniformity of the wire explosion is greatly improved, especially for the W wire with 2 μm polyimide coating. Therefore, the dielectric coating and good electrical contact are the two key factors to uniformly transform the W wire into a gaseous state. With this method, the uniform wire explosions for longer tungsten wires (1 and 2 cm) are also realized under the same experimental conditions.
Soil fertilisation contributes to mitigating forest fire hazard associated with Cistus monspeliensis L. (rock rose) shrublands
Authors: Bagella Simonetta , Sitzia Maria , Roggero Pier Paolo
Published: January 2017

Cistus monspeliensis shrublands are strongly exposed to fire hazard and are rapidly expanding on oligotrophic soils as a consequence of the abandonment of silvopastoral activities. We hypothesised that nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilisation could contribute to reduce Cistus cover and biomass and to direct the regeneration of the vegetation from seed bank after fire to grasslands able to prevent recurrent wildfires. Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of NP fertilisation on plant assemblage composition, diversity, grazing value, dry matter production and Cistus shrubland regeneration in (i) established shrublands, or (ii) recovering vegetation in burned areas. In the shrublands, NP fertilisation negatively affected Cistus cover, regeneration and biomass and significantly improved grazing value without significant effect on plant diversity. In burned areas, NP fertilisation significantly suppressed C. monspeliensis seedlings, increased the grazing value during the first 3 years since the last fire while it significantly reduced plant diversity. The increased grazing value following fertilisation in both burned and unburned areas is high enough to support silvopastoral activities. Soil fertilisation can be a key tool to support the conversion of shrublands in oligotrophic soils into productive grasslands, particularly when surrounding forests and urbanised areas, to reduce wildfire hazards through pastoral activities.
Hydroxyl regioisomerization of anthracycline catalyzed by a four-enzyme cascade
Authors: Zhang Zhuan , Gong Yu-Kang , Zhou Qiang , Hu Yu , Ma Hong-Min , Chen Yong-Sheng , Igarashi Yasuhiro , Pan Lifeng , Tang Gong-Li
Published: January 2017

Significance

Enzymatic modifications of anthracycline antibiotics are urgently needed in the fields of biosynthesis, biocatalysis, and even medical chemistry. However, neither hydroxyl regioisomerization nor dehydroxylation of anthracycline core was described previously. Here, we discover an unprecedented hydroxyl regioisomerization process in the biosynthesis of a rare carbon-4 deoxyanthracycline, which includes three tailoring steps performed by a four-enzyme cascade: two-component hydroxylases mediated a cryptic hydroxylation, and two NmrA-like short-chain dehydrogenase/reductases catalyzed a reduction-dearomatization followed by a reduction-dehydration process. This study expands the enzymology and chemistry of type II polyketide synthase and provides tools to generate more analogs by engineering or enzymatic semisynthesis.
Akt signaling is critical for memory CD8
+
T-cell development and tumor immune surveillance
Authors: Rogel Anne , Willoughby Jane E. , Buchan Sarah L. , Leonard Henry J. , Thirdborough Stephen M. , Al-Shamkhani Aymen
Published: January 2017

Significance

Immunotherapy has emerged as an important modality for the treatment of cancer, and T-cell vaccination provides an opportunity to generate a long-lasting anticancer response. Critical to this response is the generation of memory CD8
+
T cells, but the signaling pathways that regulate their development are incompletely defined. In the current report we focused on the serine/threonine protein kinase Akt. Although Akt is known to be activated by the T-cell antigen receptor and the cytokine IL-2, its role in T-cell immunity remains unknown. In this study we show that Akt signaling profoundly impacts memory T-cell development and the antitumor response during the memory phase. Optimizing Akt activity therefore should maximize the therapeutic effect of anticancer vaccines.
AlphaB-crystallin regulates remyelination after peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Lim Erin-Mai F. , Nakanishi Stan T. , Hoghooghi Vahid , Eaton Shane E. A. , Palmer Alexandra L. , Frederick Ariana , Stratton Jo A. , Stykel Morgan G. , Whelan Patrick J. , Zochodne Douglas W. , Biernaskie Jeffrey , Ousman Shalina S.
Published: January 2017

Significance

Regeneration and full behavioral recovery after injury to human peripheral nerves are often incomplete. To identify factors that could improve this situation, we focused on alphaB-crystallin (αBC), a small heat shock protein that has been associated with survival and differentiation of glial cells as well as neuroprotection in the central nervous system. We report that αBC, which is expressed by both peripheral axons and Schwann cells, is important for remyelination of damaged, peripheral axons in mice. Its absence resulted in thinner myelin sheaths and fewer myelinating Schwann cells. As a consequence, nerve conduction and sensory and motor behaviors were negatively impacted. Our work, therefore, suggests that administration of αBC can improve the regenerative capacity of the peripheral nervous system.
Elucidation of roles for vitamin B
12
in regulation of folate, ubiquinone, and methionine metabolism
Authors: Romine Margaret F. , Rodionov Dmitry A. , Maezato Yukari , Anderson Lindsey N. , Nandhikonda Premchendar , Rodionova Irina A. , Carre Alexandre , Li Xiaoqing , Xu Chengdong , Clauss Therese R. W. , Kim Young-Mo , Metz Thomas O. , Wright Aaron T.
Published: January 2017

Significance

Using a chemical probe mimic of vitamin B
12
, we reveal a light- and B
12
-dependent DNA regulator, and make the unexpected discovery of B
12
having regulatory involvement in microbial folate, ubiquinone, and methionine processes. These findings suggest a pivotal role for B
12
in the control of cell growth, which may lead to coordination of cell behavior in complex multicellular systems. As key research questions emerge from host-associated and environmental microbiomes, we anticipate that B
12
regulatory control of metabolism will be found to be generalizable, will be critical for coordination of individual microbe and community metabolism, and that organismal interdependencies for B
12
may be pertinent to microbiome organization, stability, and overall function.
Multiple horizontal transfers of nuclear ribosomal genes between phylogenetically distinct grass lineages
Authors: Mahelka Václav , Krak Karol , Kopecký David , Fehrer Judith , Šafář Jan , Bartoš Jan , Hobza Roman , Blavet Nicolas , Blattner Frank R.
Published: January 2017

Significance

A screen of
Hordeum
(barley) spp. genomes identified several instances of the presence of ribosomal DNA of panicoid origin. The Pooideae and Panicoideae lineages separated from one another around 60 Mya and are sexually incompatible. During the past 1–5 My, at least nine independent transfers of panicoid DNA into
Hordeum
seem to have occurred, confirming that the transfer of exotic DNA is not an isolated event, at least among the grasses. The supposed rarity of this event in plant genomes more likely reflects technical limitations in its detection rather than it being a genuine biological phenomenon.
Sirtuin1-regulated lysine acetylation of p66Shc governs diabetes-induced vascular oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Kim Young-Rae , Vikram Ajit , Naqvi Asma , Li Qiuxia , Kassan Modar , Kumar Vikas , Bachschmid Markus M. , Jacobs Julia S. , Kumar Ajay , Irani Kaikobad
Published: January 2017

Significance

Many oxidative stimuli engage the 66-kDa Src homology 2 domain-containing protein (p66Shc) to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS regulated by p66Shc promotes aging and contributes to cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiomyopathy, and atherosclerosis. Here we identify a fundamental mechanism that controls p66Shc and p66Shc-regulated ROS. We show that p66Shc is lysine acetylated when cells are faced with an oxidative stimulus (diabetes), and lysine acetylation of p66Shc is obligatory for p66Shc-induced ROS. In addition, lysine-acetylated p66Shc is deacetylated by the Sirtuin1 lysine deacetylase, and Sirt1-mediated deacetylation of p66Shc curtails ROS production. This intersection between p66Shc and Sirtuin1 adds a dimension to how p66Shc is regulated by certain stimuli and how Sirtuin1 suppresses oxidative stress promoted by such stimuli.
CaMKII modulates sodium current in neurons from epileptic
Scn2a
mutant mice
Authors: Thompson Christopher H. , Hawkins Nicole A. , Kearney Jennifer A. , George Alfred L.
Published: January 2017

Significance

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting approximately 1% of the world population. Mutations within genes encoding voltage-gated channels are the most frequently identified cause of monogenic epilepsies. Variable expressivity is a common feature of many epilepsies, suggesting that modifier genes make significant contributions to clinical phenotype. Here, we report an investigation of the molecular basis for strain-dependent seizure severity in the
Scn2a
Q54
epileptic mice. We show strain-dependent differences in pyramidal cell excitability correlate with divergent properties of voltage-gated sodium channels that could be explained by differences in calcium/calmodulin protein kinase II (CaMKII)-dependent modulation of neuronal sodium channels. These findings suggest that strain-dependent sodium channel modulation by CaMKII in
Scn2a
Q54
mice influences excitatory neuronal networks.
Comprehensive understanding of acetohydroxyacid synthase inhibition by different herbicide families
Authors: Garcia Mario D. , Nouwens Amanda , Lonhienne Thierry G. , Guddat Luke W.
Published: January 2017

Significance

Acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS), also known as acetolactate synthase, is the target for more than 50 commercial herbicides that are used globally to protect essential rice, corn, wheat, and cotton crops. Two newly developed chemical classes of AHAS inhibitors are the pyrimidinyl-benzoates and sulfonylamino-cabonyl-triazolinones. These are the active components of more than 12 successfully marketed herbicide products. Here we have determined the crystal structures of two members of each of these families in complex with plant AHAS. In addition, we have established a precise explanation of the inhibition kinetics for all of the AHAS-inhibiting herbicide families. These data will be an important resource for the design of herbicides with a reduced propensity for developing weed resistance.
Direct visualization of glutamate transporter elevator mechanism by high-speed AFM
Authors: Ruan Yi , Miyagi Atsushi , Wang Xiaoyu , Chami Mohamed , Boudker Olga , Scheuring Simon
Published: January 2017

Significance

Glutamate transporters play a crucial role for the recovery of the neurotransmitter glutamate from the synaptic cleft. Thus far, studies of the transport dynamics and detailed information of the working mechanism of this family of transmembrane proteins have been sparse and indirect. Here, we used high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) to characterize the transport mechanisms and dynamics of a prokaryotic glutamate transporter homolog Glt
Ph
in lipid membranes. We assess transport dynamics as a function of substrate in the imaging buffer and provide direct visual evidence that Glt
Ph
transport domains within the trimer are entirely independent.
Binding, sliding, and function of cohesin during transcriptional activation
Authors: Borrie Melinda S. , Campor John S. , Joshi Hansa , Gartenberg Marc R.
Published: January 2017

Significance

Newly replicated sister chromatids are held together by cohesin to facilitate chromosome segregation and DNA repair. The ring-shaped cohesin complex encircles DNA at specific chromosomal sites, including sites that encode genes. Transcription by RNA polymerase pushes cohesin complexes off genes, but the effect of mobilization on cohesin function is not known. Here a system to study the fate of cohesin during transcription in yeast is described. The data indicate that transcription moves cohesin off genes by sliding the complexes along DNA. The mobilized complexes continue to hold sister chromatids together while being moved. This study demonstrates that sister chromatid cohesion and transcription are mutually compatible because cohesin complexes retain their function when mobilized by RNA polymerase.
Chromatin potentiates transcription
Authors: Nagai Shigeki , Davis Ralph E. , Mattei Pierre Jean , Eagen Kyle Patrick , Kornberg Roger D.
Published: January 2017

Significance

The nucleosome, the unit of coiling DNA in chromatin, has long been known to interfere with the initiation of transcription in vitro. Nevertheless, we find that chromatin isolated from yeast is a better template for transcription than the corresponding naked DNA in vitro. Transcription of chromatin requires an additional 20 proteins beyond those required for the transcription of naked DNA.
Oral interactions in a writing group as mediating artefacts
Authors: Mochizuki Naoko
Published: January 2017

Writing groups have been gaining attention as a new approach to doctoral education to cater to students and supervisors’ diversified needs emerging from the globalisation of higher education. However, the relationships between the main activity of these groups, oral interactions, and participants’ learning remain unexplored. To fill this gap, this study investigates the processes of one multilingual PhD student’s genre learning through oral interaction in a 10-week writing group at an Australian university. Data were collected through observation and audio recordings of meetings, written drafts, and interviews with the student and a facilitator. As mediating artefacts, writing group oral interactions were closely examined with reference to the student’s motives and her subsequent writing. Specifically they were analysed for the means of scaffolding and the student’s response patterns. The findings suggest the influence of the student’s motives on her participation in the activity of the writing group as well as her decisions on how to deal with the scaffolding she received. The findings reveal dynamic relationships between motives, scaffolding, and the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), and shed new light on the facilitative role of learners’ responses to scaffolding. The article concludes with pedagogical implications for oral feedback sessions in classrooms and writing groups.
Harris, Chomsky and the origins of transformational grammar
Authors: Graffi Giorgio
Published: January 2017

According to Chomsky’s report of the mid 1970s, he and Harris developed their theories in an essentially independent way; whereas according to some statements by Harris, some contact actually took place between them. To shed light on this issue, it may be useful to systematically compare their respective views of the notion ‘transformation’ as well as their analyses of certain syntactic phenomena. Among the topics dealt with in the present article are: the system of syntactic categories and their symbols; the notion of ‘zero elements’; the phenomenon of discontinuous constituents; the English auxiliary system;wh-constructions; the typology of transformations; the notions of ‘kernel’ and ‘kernel sentence’.

Several of these analyses show many points of contact between the two scholars (e.g., the analysis ofwh-constructions or that of English auxiliaries), which allow us to maintain that they surely influenced each other. The overall differences between the two models are also clear: the transformational relation holds between sentences in Harris’s framework, while it holds between underlying strings on the one hand and actual sentences on the other in Chomsky’s. As a consequence of this different view of the notion of transformation, two problems which were fundamental for Chomsky had no importance for Harris, namely the order of transformations and the distinction between optional and obligatory transformations.

It can therefore be concluded that, if the two scholars certainly influenced each other when they were working out their respective transformational theories, their theoretical views were acutely different almost from the beginning.