bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability and validity of urinary nerve growth factor measurement in women with lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: Vijaya Gopalan , Cartwright Rufus , Bhide Alka , Derpapas Alexandros , Fernando Ruwan , Khullar Vik
Published: July 2015

Introduction and Hypothesis

The validity and reliability of measurement of urinary NGF as a diagnostic biomarker in women with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) is uncertain. We aimed to evaluate both the diagnostic and discriminant validity, and the test–retest reliability of urinary NGF measurement in women with LUTD.

Methods

Urinary NGF was measured in women with LUTD (n = 205) and asymptomatic subjects (n = 31). Urinary NGF was assayed using an ELISA method and normalized against urinary creatinine. NGF/creatinine ratios were compared between symptom subgroups using Mann–Whitney U test, and between different urodynamic diagnoses using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of urinary NGF. Test–retest reliability of NGF measurement was assessed using intra‐class correlation (ICC).

Results

Urinary NGF was significantly but non‐specifically increased in symptomatic patients when compared to controls (13.33 vs. 2.05 ng NGF/g Cr, P < 0.001). On multivariate logistic regression NGF was a good predictor of patients having OAB or not, however, the adjusted odds ratio only 1.006. ROC analysis demonstrated poor discriminant ability between different symptomatic groups and urodynamic groups. Using a cut off of 13.0 ng NGF/g creatinine the test provides a sensitivity of 81%, but a specificity of only 39% for overactive bladder. The assays demonstrated good test‐retest reliability with ICC of 0.889.

Conclusions

Although urinary NGF can be reliably assayed, and is increased in various LUTDs, it discriminates poorly between these disorders therefore has very limited potential as a biomarker. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:944–948, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structural Preferences in Phosphanylthiolato Platinum(II) Complexes
Authors: Duran Josep , Polo Alfonso , Real Julio , Benet‐Buchholz Jordi , Solà Miquel , Poater Albert
Published: July 2015

The transition‐metal complexes of heterotopic phosphanylthiolato ligands are useful in various reactions which depend on the stereochemistry of the complexes. Bis‐chelate complex [Pt(SCH2CH2PPh2‐κ2P,S)2] (1) was obtained in good yields by direct base‐free substitution reaction of the corresponding phosphanylthiol (HSCH2CH2PPh2) with K2PtCl4 or by oxidative addition of the same phosphanylthiol to Pt(PPh3)4. In agreement with the antisymbiosis rule, complex 1 shows a cis‐P,P arrangement in solid state crystallizing in the monoclinic system (C2/c). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on 1 reveal the right characteristics for the preferred cis‐P,P arrangement, rationalizing its formation. Direct base‐free reaction of [PtCl2(1,5‐cyclooctadiene)] with one equivalent of the same phosphanylthiol produce the trinuclear complex [PtCl(μ‐SCH2CH2PPh2‐κ2P,S)]3 (2) instead of the binuclear structure common in palladium and nickel derivatives. Crystals of 2 are triclinic (P
) showing a sulfur‐bridging edge‐sharing cyclic trinuclear complex with square‐planar coordination geometry around the platinum atoms and a Pt3S3 cycle in skew‐boat conformation. This preference for the trinuclear structure was rationalized mechanistically and through conceptual DFT.
A visible light responsive azobenzene‐functionalized polymer: Synthesis, self‐assembly, and photoresponsive properties
Authors: Wang Guojie , Yuan Dong , Yuan Tingting , Dong Jie , Feng Ning , Han Guoxiang
Published: July 2015

A novel visible light responsive random copolymer consisting of hydrophobic azobenzene‐containing acrylate units and hydrophilic acrylic acid units has been prepared. The azobenzene molecule bearing methoxy groups at all four ortho positions is readily synthesized by one‐step conversion of diazotization. The as‐prepared polymer can self‐assemble into nanoparticles in water due to its amphiphilic nature. The tetra‐o‐methoxy‐substituted azobenzene‐functionalized polymer can exhibit the trans‐to‐cis photoswitching under the irradiation with green light of 520 nm and the cis‐to‐trans photoswitching under the irradiation with blue light of 420 nm in both solution and aggregate state. The morphologies of the self‐assembled nanoparticles are revealed by TEM and DLS. The controlled release of loaded molecules from the nanoparticles can be realized by adjusting pH value since the copolymer possesses pH responsive acrylic acid groups. The fluorescence of loaded Nile Red in the nanoparticles can be tuned upon the visible light irradiation. The reversible photoswitching of the azobenzene‐functionalized polymer under visible light may endow the polymer with wide applications without using ultraviolet light at all. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 2768–2775
Improved charge carrier mobility in copper phthalocyanine based field effect transistors by insertion of a thin poorly conducting layer as gate insulator extension
Authors: Jastrombek Diana , Tavares Ana C. B. , Meruvia Michelle S. , Koehler Marlus , Hümmelgen Ivo A.
Published: July 2015

The charge carrier mobility is an important parameter that directly affects the performance of organic field‐effect transistors. We use copper phthalocyanine (CuPc)‐based transistors having crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (cr‐PVA) as gate insulator to study the variation of the mobility in CuPc with the distance from the gate insulator interface. By measuring the mobility of the charge carriers flowing along the channel as a function of the minimum thickness of the effective channel near to the transistor source, we demonstrate that the mobility is low near to the interface and shows a maximum at approximately 5 nm from the interface. The mobility dependence on distance from interface can be modified through the inclusion of a poorly conducting thin PEDOT:PSS layer between gate insulator and channel semiconductor, which effectively acts as a gate insulator extension. This procedure is a simple but efficient strategy to improve organic field‐effect transistor performance, positively affecting the transconductance and the mobility, which in the studied devices is increased by a factor 20. The improvement is attributed to the suppression of the deleterious consequences of interface charge traps on transport along the channel and is, in principle, a general approach applicable to other organic field‐effect transistor materials combinations.
AVOCLOUDY: a simulator of volunteer clouds
Authors: Sebastio Stefano , Amoretti Michele , Lafuente Alberto Lluch
Published: July 2015

The increasing demand of computational and storage resources is shifting users toward the adoption of cloud technologies. Cloud computing is based on the vision of computing as utility, where users no more need to buy machines but simply access remote resources made available on‐demand by cloud providers. The relationship between users and providers is defined by a service‐level agreement, where the non‐fulfillment of its terms is regulated by the associated penalty fees. Therefore, it is important that the providers adopt proper monitoring and managing strategies. Despite their reduced application, intelligent agents constitute a feasible technology to add autonomic features to cloud operations. Furthermore, the volunteer computing paradigm—one of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) trends of the last decade—can be pulled alongside traditional cloud approaches, with the purpose to ‘green’ them. Indeed, the combination of data center and volunteer resources, managed by agents, allows one to obtain a more robust and scalable cloud computing platform. The increased challenges in designing such a complex system can benefit from a simulation‐based approach, to test autonomic management solutions before their deployment in the production environment. However, currently available simulators of cloud platforms are not suitable to model and analyze such heterogeneous, large‐scale, and highly dynamic systems. We propose the AVOCLOUDY simulator to fill this gap. This paper presents the internal architecture of the simulator, provides implementation details, summarizes several notable applications, and provides experimental results that measure the simulator performance and its accuracy. The latter experiments are based on real‐world worldwide distributed computations on top of the PlanetLab platform. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The early life of a fly glial cell
Authors: Altenhein Benjamin , Cattenoz Pierre B. , Giangrande Angela
Published: July 2015

Throughout evolution, glia have key regulatory roles in neural development and function. Typically, they control the response to developmental and/or pathological signals, thereby affecting neural proliferation, remodeling, survival, and regeneration. Such complex biology depends on the plastic features of glial cells, but also on the presence of different classes of glial cells, hence the importance of understanding the cellular and the molecular mechanisms underlying their development. The fly community has made major breakthroughs by characterizing the bases of gliogenesis and here we describe the glial lineages as well as the glial promoting factor active in the embryo ofDrosophila melanogaster.WIREs Dev Biol2016, 5:67–84. doi: 10.1002/wdev.200

This article is categorized under:

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Cellular Differentiation

Invertebrate Organogenesis > Flies

Nervous System Development > Flies
The Associations of Teacher Professional Characteristics, School Environmental Factors, and State Testing Policy on Social Studies Educators’ Instructional Authority
Authors: Hong Hyeri , Hamot Gregory E.
Published: July 2015

Knowledge of pedagogy and social studies content influences a teacher's decision making and helps teachers conduct sound instructional practices despite the influence of high-stakes testing policies. Using national data from the Survey of the Status of Social Studies (S4), this study examined the associations of teachers’ professional characteristics, school environmental factors, and state testing policy on self-reported levels of authority that secondary level social studies teachers (grades 6–12) hold over key classroom tasks. Through hierarchical multiple regression analysis, key findings from this study indicated that greater minority enrollments are associated with lower levels of instructional authority. Teachers who worked in states where a state-mandated social studies test was administered reported less freedom to choose what to teach and how to teach than those in non-testing states. Also, this study showed that in-field status, the type of licensure, and years of teaching experience are important factors in exercising social studies teachers’ instructional authority (e.g., their ability to balance effectively the demands of state-mandated reforms with teaching for meaningful student learning). This study recommends that schools with high minority enrollments, especially if these districts exist in a high stakes testing environment, should invest in teachers with high-quality social studies preparation.
Poetry and Leadership in Light of Ambiguity and Logic of Appropriateness
Authors: Xing Yijun , Liu Yipeng
Published: July 2015

This paper explores the relationship between poetry and leadership – in particular, how business leaders might leverage poetry in practice. Drawing on the theoretical lenses of logic of appropriateness and ambiguity, we suggest a conceptual model to understand the multilayered meaning of poetry, noting that poetry has four layers of meaning: the superficial meaning, the poet's evocative meaning, the reader's recasting into a modern situation, and the recipient's interpretation. Using the storytelling research method, we collected leadership narrative stories that indicate poetry as an effective communication tool in practicing leadership. From these data, we identify four approaches that leaders use to apply the multilayered meaning of poetry in contemporary business practice: drawing lessons from poets' experience through critical interpretation of the poem, inspiring leaders' heroic spirits, guiding leaders' rules of behavior, and adopting poetry as a tactic to influence others. Our study contributes to the argument of ambiguity as a source of intelligence and illuminates how poetry as an artistic form of story facilitates contemporary leadership practice in light of the logic of appropriateness framework.
Mycoplasma pneumoniaeandChlamydophila pneumoniae: a comparative study in patients with nasal polyposis and healthy controls
Authors: Ioannidis D G , Lachanas V A , Florou Z , Bizakis J G , Petinaki E , Skoulakis C E
Published: July 2015

Introduction:

The role played byMycoplasma pneumoniaeandChlamydophila pneumoniaein the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps has been the object of ongoing debate. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to investigate the prevalence of both microorganisms in the nasal tissue samples of patients and controls.

Methods:

We extracted DNA from nasal polyp samples obtained during functional endoscopic sinus surgery and the inferior turbinate samples of controls undergoing septoplasty. We used the highly sensitive real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the presence ofM pneumoniaeandC pneumoniaeDNA.

Results:

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps consisted of 62 individuals (39 men; mean age 51 years); the control group consisted of 24 individuals (13 men; mean age 45 years). All samples from both groups were negative forM pneumoniaeandC pneumoniaeDNA.

Conclusion:

We have demonstrated that the likelihood ofM pneumoniaeandC pneumoniaeacting as an ongoing inflammatory stimulus in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is slim.
The International Rule of Law
Authors: KEITH KENNETH J.
Published: July 2015

The ‘rule of law’ is a concept at the very heart of the United Nations (UN) mission declared its Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. What does the concept mean internationally? The paper considers its role in international adjudication; in the UN more generally; in terms of the acceptances of the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ); the difference between thick and thin definitions of the concept; equality before the law; the requirement of clarity and certainty by reference to interpretation of treaties and maritime delimitation; compliance by Governments with international law; and the peaceful settlement of international disputes; and concludes with the importance of personal qualities and professional qualities.
‘Jistis ak Reparasyon pou Tout Viktim Kolera MINUSTAH’: The United Nations and the Right to Health in Haiti
Authors: FREEDMAN ROSA , LEMAY-HEBERT NICOLAS
Published: July 2015

The Haiti cholera claims are focused upon the UN's violation of the rights of individuals affected by the cholera outbreak to access a remedy. The UN's absolute immunity from jurisdiction of national courts is counterbalanced by its duty to provide alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for private law claims. The UN has not only failed to provide those alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, but has repeatedly stated that no claims are receivable in these circumstances. Here we set out that even if the UN is able to shield itself from private law claims by using the cloak of absolute immunity, the UN might be held responsible for human rights violations arising from the cholera outbreak in Haiti. This article is concerned with the broader issue of whether the UN has violated and continues to violate individuals' right to health in Haiti.
Review of tropospheric temperature, absolute humidity and integrated water vapour from the HAMSTRAD radiometer installed at Dome C, Antarctica, 2009–14
Authors: Ricaud P. , Grigioni P. , Zbinden R. , Attié J.-L. , Genoni L. , Galeandro A. , Moggio L. , Montaguti S. , Petenko I. , Legovini P.
Published: July 2015

The HAMSTRAD (H2O Antarctica Microwave Stratospheric and Tropospheric Radiometers) instrument is a microwave radiometer installed at Dome C (Antarctica, 75°06'S, 123°21'E, 3233 m a.m.s.l.) dedicated to the tropospheric measurements of temperature, absolute humidity and integrated water vapour (IWV). The aim of the present paper is to review the entire HAMSTRAD dataset from 2009 to 2014 with a 7-minute integration time from 0 to 10 km by comparison with coincident radiosondes launched at 12h00 UTC at Dome C. Based upon an extensive evaluation of biases and time correlation coefficients (r), we can state: i) IWV is of excellent quality (r>0.98) and can be used without retrieving significant bias, ii) temperature is suitable for scientific analyses over 0–10 km with a high time correlation with radiosondes (r>0.80) and iii) absolute humidity is suitable for scientific analyses over 0–4 km with a moderate time correlation against radiosondes (r>0.70). The vertical distribution of temperature (0–10 km) and absolute humidity (0–4 km) is subject to biases that need to be removed if the analyses require the use of vertical profiling. The HAMSTRAD dataset is provided in open access to the scientific community.
Exclusive olive oil consumption has a protective effect on coronary artery disease; overview of the THISEAS study
Authors: Dimitriou Maria , Rallidis Loukianos S , Theodoraki Eirini V , Kalafati Ioanna Panagiota , Kolovou Genovefa , Dedoussis George V
Published: July 2015

Objective

The aims of the current report are to present the demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics/biochemical indices and lifestyle habits of the population and to explore the potential association of exclusive olive oil consumption, in relation to lifestyle factors, with coronary artery disease risk.

Design

Demographic, lifestyle, dietary and biochemical variables were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was performed in order to estimate the relative risks of developing coronary artery disease.

Setting

The Hellenic study of Interactions between Single nucleotide polymorphisms and Eating in Atherosclerosis Susceptibility (THISEAS), a medical centre-based case–control study conducted in Greek adults.

Subjects

We consecutively enrolled 1221 adult patients with coronary artery disease and 1344 adult controls.

Results

A higher prevalence of the conventional established risk factors was observed in cases than in controls. Physical activity level was higher in controls (1·4 (sd0·2) than in cases (1·3 (sd0·3);P<0·001). Regarding current and ex-smokers, the case group reported almost double the pack-years of the control group (54·6 (sd42·8)v. 28·3 (sd26·3), respectively;P<0·001). Exclusive olive oil consumption was associated with 37 % lower likelihood of developing coronary artery disease, even after taking into account adherence to the Mediterranean diet (OR=0·63; 95 % CI 0·42, 0·93;P=0·02).

Conclusions

Exclusive olive oil consumption was associated with lower risk of coronary artery disease, even after adjusting for adoption of an overall healthy dietary pattern such as the Mediterranean diet.
HIPPONAX’ POETIC INITIATION AND HERODAS' ‘DREAM’
Authors: Cazzato Vanessa
Published: July 2015

This article presents some fresh evidence in favour of recognising in a series of late testimonia on Hipponax the vestiges of a poem in which the iambist recounted his poetic initiation. It argues that Herodas alludes to such a poem in the opening of his programmaticMimiamb1 and in his own account of poetic investiture inMimiamb8. Finally, the article attempts an interpretation of this proposed new fragment of Hipponax with the aim of teasing out some of its implications for his poetics.
Chemically related 4,5-linked aminoglycoside antibiotics drive subunit rotation in opposite directions
Authors: Wasserman Michael R. , Pulk Arto , Zhou Zhou , Altman Roger B. , Zinder John C. , Green Keith D. , Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie , Doudna Cate Jamie H. , Blanchard Scott C.
Published: July 2015

Dynamic remodelling of intersubunit bridge B2, a conserved RNA domain of the bacterial ribosome connecting helices 44 (h44) and 69 (H69) of the small and large subunit, respectively, impacts translation by controlling intersubunit rotation. Here we show that aminoglycosides chemically related to neomycin—paromomycin, ribostamycin and neamine—each bind to sites within h44 and H69 to perturb bridge B2 and affect subunit rotation. Neomycin and paromomycin, which only differ by their ring-I 6′-polar group, drive subunit rotation in opposite directions. This suggests that their distinct actions hinge on the 6′-substituent and the drug’s net positive charge. By solving the crystal structure of the paromomycin–ribosome complex, we observe specific contacts between the apical tip of H69 and the 6′-hydroxyl on paromomycin from within the drug’s canonical h44-binding site. These results indicate that aminoglycoside actions must be framed in the context of bridge B2 and their regulation of subunit rotation.
Elucidating the role of disorder and free-carrier recombination kinetics in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite films
Authors: La-o-vorakiat Chan , Salim Teddy , Kadro Jeannette , Khuc Mai-Thu , Haselsberger Reinhard , Cheng Liang , Xia Huanxin , Gurzadyan Gagik G. , Su Haibin , Lam Yeng Ming , Marcus Rudolph A. , Michel-Beyerle Maria-Elisabeth , Chia Elbert E. M.
Published: July 2015

Apart from broadband absorption of solar radiation, the performance of photovoltaic devices is governed by the density and mobility of photogenerated charge carriers. The latter parameters indicate how many free carriers move away from their origin, and how fast, before loss mechanisms such as carrier recombination occur. However, only lower bounds of these parameters are usually obtained. Here we independently determine both density and mobility of charge carriers in a perovskite film by the use of time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy. Our data reveal the modification of the free carrier response by strong backscattering expected from these heavily disordered perovskite films. The results for different phases and different temperatures show a change of kinetics from two-body recombination at room temperature to three-body recombination at low temperatures. Our results suggest that perovskite-based solar cells can perform well even at low temperatures as long as the three-body recombination has not become predominant.
Toll-like receptor 4 signaling in neurons of trigeminal ganglion contributes to nociception induced by acute pulpitis in rats
Authors: Lin Jia-Ji , Du Yi , Cai Wen-Ke , Kuang Rong , Chang Ting , Zhang Zhuo , Yang Yong-Xiang , Sun Chao , Li Zhu-Yi , Kuang Fang
Published: July 2015

Pain caused by acute pulpitis (AP) is a common symptom in clinical settings. However, its underlying mechanisms have largely remained unknown. Using AP model, we demonstrated that dental injury caused severe pulp inflammation with up-regulated serum IL-1β. Assessment from head-withdrawal reflex thresholds (HWTs) and open-field test demonstrated nociceptive response at 1 day post injury. A consistent up-regulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) ipsilateral to the injured pulp was found; and downstream signaling components of TLR4, including MyD88, TRIF and NF-κB and cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β, were also increased. Retrograde labeling indicated that most TLR4 positve neuron in the TG innnervated the pulp and TLR4 immunoreactivity was mainly in the medium and small neurons. Double labeling showed that the TLR4 expressing neurons in the ipsilateral TG were TRPV1 and CGRP positive, but IB4 negative. Furthermore, blocking TLR4 by eritoran (TLR4 antagonist) in TGs of the AP model significantly down-regulated MyD88, TRIF, NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1β production and behavior of nociceptive response. Our findings suggest that TLR4 signaling in TG cells, particularly the peptidergic TRPV1 neurons, plays a key role in AP-induced nociception and indicate that TLR4 signaling could be a potential therapeutic target for orofacial pain.
A method to tune the shape of protein-encapsulated polymeric microspheres
Authors: Alteriis Renato de , Vecchione Raffaele , Attanasio Chiara , Gregorio Maria De , Porzio Massimiliano , Battista Edmondo , Netti Paolo A.
Published: July 2015

Protein encapsulation technologies of polymeric microspheres currently in use have been optimized to effectively protect their “protein cargo” from inactivation occurring in biological environments, preserving its bioactivity during release up to several weeks. The scenario of protein delivery would greatly benefit by strategies enabling the production of non-spherical particles. Herein we report an easy and effective stamp-based method to produce poly-lactic-glycolic-acid (PLGA) microparticles encapsulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) of different shapes. We demonstrate that PLGA microspheres can be deformed at room temperature exploiting solvent/non-solvent plasticization in order to preserve the properties of the starting microspheres. This gentle method allows the production of shaped particles that provide a prolonged release of VEGF in active form, as verified by an angiogenic assay. The retention of the biological activity of an extremely labile molecule, i.e. VEGF, lets us hypothesize that a wide variety of drug and protein encapsulated polymeric microspheres can be processed using this method.
Small molecule and RNAi induced phenotype transition of expanded and primary colonic epithelial cells
Authors: Sharbati Jutta , Hanisch Carlos , Pieper Robert , Einspanier Ralf , Sharbati Soroush
Published: July 2015

Recent progress in mammalian intestinal epithelial cell culture led to novel concepts of tissue modeling. Especially the development of phenotypically stable cell lines from individual animals enables an investigation of distinct intestinal loci and disease states. We here report primary and prolonged culture of normal porcine epithelial cells from colon for cell line development. In addition, a novel primary three-dimensional intestinal culture system is presented, which generated organoids composed of a highly polarized epithelial layer lining a core of subepithelial tissue. Cellular characterization of monolayer cell lines revealed epithelial identity and pointed to a proliferative crypt cell phenotype. We evaluated both RNAi and chemical approaches to induce epithelial differentiation in generated cell lines by targeting promoters of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). By in silico prediction and ectopic expression, miR-147b was proven to be a potent trigger of intestinal epithelial cell differentiation. Our results outline an approach to generate phenotypically stable cell lines expanded from primary colonic epithelial cultures and demonstrate the relevance of miR-147b and chemical inhibitors for promoting epithelial differentiation features.
Dielectric spectroscopy for monitoring human pancreatic islet differentiation within cell-seeded scaffolds in a perfusion bioreactor system
Authors: Daoud J. , Heileman K. , Shapka S. , Rosenberg L. , Tabrizian M.
Published: July 2015

Herein, we describe a platform for dielectric spectroscopy monitoring of scaffold-embedded human pancreatic islet differentiation within a perfusion bioreactor.
In situ preparation of porous Pd nanotubes on a GCE for non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensors
Authors: Wang Qiang , Wang Qiyu , Qi Kun , Xue Tianyu , Liu Chang , Zheng Weitao , Cui Xiaoqiang
Published: July 2015

Porous Pd nanotubes were in situ fabricated on a glass-carbon electrode (GCE) via a one-step galvanic replacement reaction by using cheap, flexible, and ultralong copper nanowires as the sacrificial template.
A highly selective and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of selenium using 2-hydroxy-1-napthaldehyde-orthoaminophenol
Authors: Ahmed M. Jamaluddin , Islam M. Tazul , Nime Most. Jannatul
Published: July 2015

A very simple, ultra-sensitive and highly selective non-extractive spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amounts of selenium using 2-hydroxy-1-napthaldehyde-orthoaminophenol (HNA-OAP) has been developed.
Sensitive determination of glycerol by derivatization using a HPLC-DAD method in biodiesel samples
Authors: Ahmed Muhammad Arif , Khan Ijaz , Hashim Jamshed , Musharraf Syed Ghulam
Published: July 2015

Transesterification of neutral lipids which gives biodiesel and a UV active by-product glycerol. This article describes the quantification and validation of glycerol based on HPLC using a diode array detector (DAD) in various biodiesel samples through derivatization.
Real-time in situ monitoring via europium emission of the photo-release of antitumor cisplatin from a Eu–Pt complex
Authors: Li Hongguang , Lan Rongfeng , Chan Chi-Fai , Jiang Lijun , Dai Lixiong , Kwong Daniel W. J. , Lam Michael Hon-Wah , Wong Ka-Leung
Published: July 2015

A light-responsive antitumor agent, PtEuL, has been synthesized and evaluated for controlled cisplatin release by linear/two-photon excitation in vitro with concomitant turn-on Eu emission as a responsive traceable signal.
Retracted Article: Origin of colossal permittivity in (In1/2Nb1/2)TiO2via broadband dielectric spectroscopy
Authors: Zhao Xiao-gang , Liu Peng , Song Yue-Chan , Zhang An-ping , Chen Xiao-ming , Zhou Jian-ping
Published: July 2015

(In1/2Nb1/2)TiO2 (IN-T) ceramics were prepared via a solid-state reaction route.
Phase and redox shifted four iron/four sulfur clusters: fluorous analogs of metalloenzyme cofactors
Authors: Zhang Cheng-Pan , Xi Zhenxing , Mueller Kory M. , Holliday Bradley J. , Bazzi Hassan S. , Gladysz John A.
Published: July 2015

The title compounds, [Q]2[Fe4S4(S(CH2)nRf8)4], feature dianions with four fluorous thiolate ligands and cations that are non-fluorous, “light fluorous”, or “heavy fluorous”; fluorous/organic partition coefficients can reach >93 : <7.
Polyamine quinoline rhodium complexes: synthesis and pharmacological evaluation as antiparasitic agents against Plasmodium falciparum and Trichomonas vaginalis
Authors: Stringer Tameryn , Taylor Dale , Guzgay Hajira , Shokar Ajit , Au Aaron , Smith Peter J. , Hendricks Denver T. , Land Kirkwood M. , Egan Timothy J. , Smith Gregory S.
Published: July 2015

Salicylaldimine ligands and their corresponding Rh(i) complexes were prepared and evaluated as antiparasitic agents.
Broadband and ultrahigh optical haze thin films with self-aggregated alumina nanowire bundles for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Kang Gumin , Bae Kyuyoung , Nam Minwoo , Ko Doo-Hyun , Kim Kyoungsik , Padilla Willie J.
Published: July 2015

Self-aggregated alumina nanowire structures have been demonstrated by anodization of aluminum and a subsequent pore breaking process for improving the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells.
The Poisson distribution and beyond: methods for microfluidic droplet production and single cell encapsulation
Authors: Collins David J. , Neild Adrian , deMello Andrew , Liu Ai-Qun , Ai Ye
Published: July 2015

In recent years there has been an explosion of methods for encapsulating cells in droplets. This review examines the state-of-the-art, including methods for active encapsulation.
Polyoxometalate-assisted fabrication of the Pd nanoparticle/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite with enhanced methanol-tolerance for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Li Ji-Sen , Dong Hui-Qing , Li Shun-Li , Li Run-Han , Dai Zhi-Hui , Bao Jian-Chun , Lan Ya-Qian
Published: July 2015

The prepared Pd/polyoxometalate/reduced graphene oxide (Pd/POM/rGO) nanocomposite exhibits enhanced catalytic activity and excellent methanol-tolerance due to the synergistic effect of Pd, POM, and rGO.
Array-based sensing of purine derivatives with fluorescent dyes
Authors: Köstereli Ziya , Severin Kay
Published: July 2015

A sensor array based on polysulfonated fluorescent dyes can be used to differentiate purine and its derivatives with good precision.
Strategy of total synthesis based on the use of Rh-catalyzed stereoselective 1,4-addition
Authors: Jean M. , Casanova B. , Gnoatto S. , van de Weghe P.
Published: July 2015

In 1998, Hayashi and Miyaura reported the first asymmetric conjugate addition of aryl- and alkenyl-boronic acids to α,β-unsaturated ketones using chiral rhodium complexes as catalysts.
Alternating copolymers of functionalized α-methyl styrene monomers and maleic anhydride
Authors: Malins Edward L. , Waterson Carl , Becer C. Remzi
Published: July 2015

Alkyl and tertiary amine functionalized α-methyl styrene (AMS) monomers have been synthesized via reactive coupling of 3-isopropenyl-α,α-dimethylbenzyl isocyanate (TMI) with primary amines.
The intracellular source, composition and regulatory functions of nanosized vesicles from bovine milk-serum
Authors: Silanikove N. , Shapiro Fira , Merin Uzi , Leitner Gabriel
Published: July 2015

A hypothesis that the source of milk-serum derived vesicles (MSDVs) is the Golgi apparatus (GA) was examined.
Iron encapsulated nitrogen and sulfur co-doped few layer graphene as a non-precious ORR catalyst for PEMFC application
Authors: Vinayan B. P. , Diemant Thomas , Behm R. Jürgen , Ramaprabhu S.
Published: July 2015

A novel strategy was followed to prepare iron nanoparticle encapsulated nitrogen and sulfur co-doped few layer graphene (Fe-NSG) as non-precious ORR electrocatalyst.
Design of bio-molecular interfaces using liquid crystals demonstrating endotoxin interactions with bacterial cell wall components
Authors: Das Dibyendu , Sidiq Sumyra , Pal Santanu Kumar
Published: July 2015

Liquid crystals offer a promising approach to study and quantify the interactions between different bacterial cell membrane components with endotoxin at an aqueous interface.
Colloidal β-KYF4:Yb3+,Er3+/Tm3+nanocrystals: tunable multicolor up-conversion luminescence from UV to NIR regions
Authors: Zhou Bin , Wang Youfa , Xia Donglin
Published: July 2015

Pure β-KYF4nanocrystals codoped with Er3+/Yb3+and Tm3+/Yb3+were successfully synthesizedviathe thermal decomposition of trifluoroacetate precursors using oleic acid and octadecylene as coordinating solvents.
Electric, magnetic and optical limiting (short pulse and ultrafast) studies in phase pure (1 − x)BiFeO3–xNaNbO3 multiferroic nanocomposite synthesized by the pechini method
Authors: Ummer Rehana P. , Sreekanth P. , Raneesh B. , Philip Reji , Rouxel Didier , Thomas Sabu , Kalarikkal Nandakumar
Published: July 2015

The perovskite (1 − x)BiFeO3–xNaNbO3 nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by Pechini method and crystallographic information was obtained from XRD and TEM analysis.
Polymer nanocomposites using click chemistry: novel materials for hydrogen peroxide vapor sensors
Authors: Mazumdar Payal , Rattan Sunita , Mukherjee Monalisa
Published: July 2015

Functionalization of nano graphite platelets with polystyrene through click reaction.
Air-processed, efficient CH3NH3PbI3−xClx perovskite solar cells with organic polymer PTB7 as a hole-transport layer
Authors: Du Yangyang , Cai Hongkun , Ni Jian , Li Juan , Yu Hailong , Sun Xiaoxiang , Wu Yuxiang , Wen Hongbin , Zhang Jianjun
Published: July 2015

Solution-processed perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which utilized organic poly PTB7 as a hole-transport layer, achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 13.29% when fabricated in ambient air.
A simple and rapid approach for testing enantiopurity of hydroxy acids and their derivatives using 1H NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Mishra Sandeep Kumar , Suryaprakash N.
Published: July 2015

A rapid and the simple chiral derivatizing protocol involving the coupling of 2-formylphenylboronic acid and an optically pure [1,1-binaphthalene]-2,2-diamine is introduced for the accurate determination of the enantiopurity of hydroxy acids and their derivatives.
Crystal phase transformation of α into β phase poly(vinylidene fluoride) via particle formation caused by rapid expansion of supercritical solutions
Authors: Wolff S. , Jirasek F. , Beuermann S. , Türk M.
Published: July 2015

RESS enables the transformation from α to β phase PVDF. Piezoresponse force microscopy confirmed the piezoelectricity of the obtained particles.
Sustainability of cellulose dissolution and regeneration in 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-enium acetate: a batch simulation of the IONCELL-F process
Authors: Parviainen A. , Wahlström R. , Liimatainen U. , Liitiä T. , Rovio S. , Helminen J. K. J. , Hyväkkö U. , King A. W. T. , Suurnäkki A. , Kilpeläinen I.
Published: July 2015

A laboratory batch simulation of the recovery and reuse of [DBNH][OAc] in the IONCELL-F process, yielding future directions for optimising the recycling process.
Enhanced methane production from algal biomass through short duration enzymatic pretreatment and codigestion with carbon rich waste
Authors: Prajapati Sanjeev Kumar , Malik Anushree , Vijay V. K. , Sreekrishnan T. R.
Published: July 2015

Novel two fold approach comprising short duration fungal crude enzyme pretreatment of algal biomass followed by codigestion with cattle dung resulting in enhanced methane yield is disclosed.
A thorough experimental study of CH/π interactions in water: quantitative structure–stability relationships for carbohydrate/aromatic complexes
Authors: Jiménez-Moreno Ester , Jiménez-Osés Gonzalo , Gómez Ana M. , Santana Andrés G. , Corzana Francisco , Bastida Agatha , Jiménez-Barbero Jesus , Asensio Juan Luis
Published: July 2015

A dynamic combinatorial analysis of carbohydrate/aromatic complexes clarifies the structural determinants and origins of these important interactions in water.
Singly and doubly β-to-β platinum-bridged porphyrin dimers and their reductive eliminations
Authors: Jiang Hua-Wei , Tanaka Takayuki , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: July 2015

2-Borylated porphyrins reacted with Pt(cod)Cl2 to give β-to-β platinum-bridged porphyrin dimers, which were converted to β-to-β directly linked porphyrin dimers through triphenylphosphine-mediated reductive elimination.
Enhanced photocatalytic H2evolution over noble-metal-free NiS cocatalyst modified CdS nanorods/g-C3N4heterojunctions
Authors: Yuan Jielin , Wen Jiuqing , Zhong Yongming , Li Xin , Fang Yueping , Zhang Shengsen , Liu Wei
Published: July 2015

Noble-metal-free NiS cocatalyst modified CdS nanorods/g-C3N4heterojunctions exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalytic visible-light H2-evolution activities.
Thermodynamic nature of vitrification in a 1D model of a structural glass former
Authors: Semenov A. N.
Published: July 2015

We propose a new spin-glass model with no positional quenched disorder which is regarded as a coarse-grained model of a structural glass-former. The model is analyzed in the 1D case when the number N of states of a primary cell is large. For N → ∞, the model exhibits a sharp freezing transition of the thermodynamic origin. It is shown both analytically and numerically that the glass transition is accompanied by a significant growth of a static length scale ξ pointing to the structural (equilibrium) nature of dynamical slowdown effects in supercooled liquids.
Characterization of the insulator barrier and the superconducting transition temperature in GdBa2Cu3O7−δ/BaTiO3 bilayers for application in tunnel junctions
Authors: Navarro H. , Yang Ilkyu , Sirena M. , Kim Jeehoon , Haberkorn N.
Published: July 2015

The optimization of the superconducting properties in a bottom electrode and the quality of an insulator barrier are the first steps in the development of superconductor/insulator/superconductor tunnel junctions. Here, we study the quality of a BaTiO3 tunnel barrier deposited on a 16 nm thick GdBa2Cu3O7−δ thin film by using conductive atomic force microscopy. We find that the tunnel current is systematically reduced (for equal applied voltage) by increasing the BaTiO3 barrier thickness between 1.6 and 4 nm. The BaTiO3 layers present an energy barrier of ≈1.2 eV and an attenuation length of 0.35–0.5 nm (depending on the applied voltage). The GdBa2Cu3O7−δ electrode is totally covered by a BaTiO3 thickness above 3 nm. The presence of ferroelectricity was verified by piezoresponse force microscopy for a 4 nm thick BaTiO3 top layer. The superconducting transition temperature of the bilayers is systematically suppressed by increasing the BaTiO3 thickness. This fact can be associated with stress at the interface and a reduction of the orthorhombicity of the GdBa2Cu3O7−δ. The reduction in the orthorhombicity is expected by considering the interface mismatch and it can also be affected by reduced oxygen stoichiometry (poor oxygen diffusion across the BaTiO3 barrier).
Role of vacancies in tuning the electronic properties of Au-MoS2 contact
Authors: Su Jie , Li Ning , Zhang Yingying , Feng Liping , Liu Zhengtang
Published: July 2015

Understanding the electronic properties between molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and metal electrodes is vital for the designing and realization of nanoelectronic devices. In this work, influence of intrinsic vacancies in monolayer MoS2 on the electronic structure and electron properties of Au-MoS2 contacts is investigated using first-principles calculations. Upon formation of vacancies in monolayer MoS2, both tunnel barriers and Schottky Barriers between metal Au and monolayer MoS2 are decreased. Perfect Au-MoS2 top contact exhibits physisorption interface with rectifying character, whereas Au-MoS2 contact with Mo-vacancy shows chemisorption interface with Ohmic character. Partial density of states and electron density of defective Au-MoS2 top contacts are much higher than those of perfect one, indicating the lower contact resistance and higher electron injection efficiency of defective Au-MoS2 top contacts. Notably, Mo-vacancy in monolayer MoS2 is beneficial to get high quality p-type Au-MoS2 top contact, whereas S-vacancy in monolayer MoS2 is favorable to achieve high quality n-type Au-MoS2 top contact. Our results provide guidelines for designing and fabrication of novel 2D nanoelectronic devices.
Na, K-ATPase α3 is a death target of Alzheimer patient amyloid-β assembly
Authors: Ohnishi Takayuki , Yanazawa Masako , Sasahara Tomoya , Kitamura Yasuki , Hiroaki Hidekazu , Fukazawa Yugo , Kii Isao , Nishiyama Takashi , Kakita Akiyoshi , Takeda Hiroyuki , Takeuchi Akihide , Arai Yoshie , Ito Akane , Komura Hitomi , Hirao Hajime , Satomura Kaori , Inoue Masafumi , Muramatsu Shin-ichi , Matsui Ko , Tada Mari , Sato Michio , Saijo Eri , Shigemitsu Yoshiki , Sakai Satoko , Umetsu Yoshitaka , Goda Natsuko , Takino Naomi , Takahashi Hitoshi , Hagiwara Masatoshi , Sawasaki Tatsuya , Iwasaki Genji , Nakamura Yu , Nabeshima Yo-ichi , Teplow David B. , Hoshi Minako
Published: July 2015

Significance

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves neuron dysfunction and loss. This brain damage is thought to be caused by a small protein, the amyloid β-protein (Aβ), which forms aggregates that are neurotoxic. This neurotoxicity has been explained by multiple mechanisms. We reveal here a new neurotoxic mechanism that involves the interaction between patient-derived Aβ assemblies, termed amylospheroids, and the neuron-specific Na
+
/K
+
-ATPase α3 subunit. This interaction causes neurodegeneration through pre-synaptic calcium overload, which explains earlier observations that such neuronal hyperactivation is an early indicator of AD-related neurodegeneration. Importantly, amylospheroid concentrations correlate with disease severity and progression in AD patients. Amylospheroid:neuron-specific Na
+
/K
+
-ATPase α3 subunit interactions may be a useful therapeutic target for AD.
Key bioactive reaction products of the NO/H2S interaction are S/N-hybrid species, polysulfides, and nitroxyl
Authors: Cortese-Krott Miriam M. , Kuhnle Gunter G. C. , Dyson Alex , Fernandez Bernadette O. , Grman Marian , DuMond Jenna F. , Barrow Mark P. , McLeod George , Nakagawa Hidehiko , Ondrias Karol , Nagy Péter , King S. Bruce , Saavedra Joseph E. , Keefer Larry K. , Singer Mervyn , Kelm Malte , Butler Anthony R. , Feelisch Martin
Published: July 2015

Significance

Reactions of sulfur-centered nucleophiles with nitrogenous species have been studied independently for more than a century for synthetic/industrial purposes; to understand geochemical, atmospheric, and biological processes; and to explain the origins of life. Various products and reaction mechanisms were proposed. We here identify a singular process comprising a network of cascading chemical reactions that form three main bioactive products at physiological pH: nitrosopersulfide, polysulfides, and dinitrososulfite. These anionic products scavenge, transport, and release NO/HNO or sulfide/sulfane sulfur, each displaying distinct chemistries and bioactivities. Our observations provide a chemical foundation for the cross-talk between the NO and H2S signaling pathways in biology and suggest that the biological actions of these entities can be neither considered nor studied in isolation.
Infection of Juvenile Salmonids by Salmincola californiensis (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae) in Reservoirs and Streams of the Willamette River Basin, Oregon
Authors: Monzyk Fred R. , Friesen Thomas A. , Romer Jeremy D.
Published: July 2015

We assessed infection prevalence and intensity by the ectoparasitic copepod Salmincola californiensis among salmonid species rearing in reservoirs and streams upstream of reservoirs in the Willamette River basin, Oregon, during 2012 and 2013. Infection levels of juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, Rainbow Trout O. mykiss, and Cutthroat Trout O. clarkii were greater in reservoirs than in streams and increased with the age and size of fish. Copepods were more likely to be attached within the brachial cavity of reservoir fish (79%), whereas fins were the most common attachment site on stream fish (71%). Chinook Salmon in reservoirs were more vulnerable to infection than other species. Age‐0 Chinook Salmon in reservoirs showed increasing infection prevalence throughout the year, reaching 84% by fall (compared with 11% in streams). Infection intensity was greater for age‐0 Chinook Salmon in reservoirs than for those in streams. Infection prevalence for reservoir‐rearing Rainbow Trout was < 1% at age 0, 22% at age 1, 36% at age 2, and 38% at age 3. Intensity was low for age‐1 Rainbow Trout and increased for age‐2 and age‐3 fish. Infection prevalence for reservoir‐rearing Cutthroat Trout collected in spring (39%) was greater than for those rearing in streams (4.5%). Juvenile kokanee O. nerka were only present in reservoirs and were rarely infected with copepods. The lack of water current in reservoirs may increase the likelihood of infection in the brachial cavity. Greater infection levels observed for juvenile Chinook Salmon compared with the other species in reservoirs may be a function of behavioral, physiological, and habitat differences. We concluded that copepod infection in reservoirs reached levels that could decrease the fitness and survival of Chinook Salmon smolts, potentially hampering conservation and recovery efforts.
Identification of the possible new odor-active compounds “12-methyltridecanal and its analogs” responsible for the characteristic aroma of ripe Gouda-type cheese
Authors: Inagaki Satsuki , Fujikawa Seiji , Wada Yoshiyuki , Kumazawa Kenji
Published: July 2015

The aroma concentrates of the three maturation stages of Gouda-type cheeses were prepared by combining the solvent extraction and the solvent assisted flavor evaporation techniques. The aroma extract dilution analysis applied to the volatile fraction revealed 31 odorants that were identified or tentatively identified from the 38 odor-active peaks with FD factors between 43 and 48. By comparison with the FD factors in the three maturation stages of the cheeses, 16 odorants, including 12-methyltridecanal, which is a newly identified odorant from the cheese, increased with the increasing maturation stage of the cheese. In addition, many iso- and anteiso-methyl-branched long-chain aliphatic aldehydes could be identified as the analogs of 12-methyltridecanal, which have a unique odor note. It may be then expected that these aldehydes were able to influence the flavor of the highly ripened Gouda cheese, since these compounds also increased with the increasing maturation stage.