bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supportive factors of job and life satisfaction: Empirical evidence from disclosed lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) workforce in Thailand
Authors: Punnakitikashem Prattana , Maimun Atthapong , Rakthin Sirisuhk
Published: June 2017

The literature exploring the impact of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) supportive employment policies on work and life satisfaction and how these relationships reflected business outcomes is largely derived from the LGB workforce in Western countries. To our knowledge, empirical evidence from LGB workforce in Thailand is very limited. To address this shortcoming, this study aims to identify and evaluate the work-related supportive factors that influence job and life satisfaction of Thai LGB employees. Theoretically, the study offers novel aspects of LGB employees’ perception toward their workplace environment in different social and cultural context of Thailand. Online surveys were administered to 144 LGB individuals, and the results highlight the effects of three types of support at work – supervisor, organizational, and coworker – on Thai LGB employees’ job and life satisfaction. The findings also provide insights for human resources managers to attract and retain LGB employees.
Electoral Accountability for State Legislative Roll Calls and Ideological Representation
Authors: ROGERS STEVEN
Published: June 2017

Theories of electoral accountability predict that legislators will receive fewer votes if they fail to represent their districts. To determine whether this prediction applies to state legislators, I conduct two analyses that evaluate the extent to which voters sanction legislators who cast unpopular roll-call votes or provide poor ideological representation. Neither analysis, however, produces compelling evidence that elections hold most state legislators accountable. I discover that legislators do not face meaningful electoral consequences for their ideological representation, particularly in areas where legislators receive less media attention, have larger staffs, and represent more partisan districts. In a study of individual roll-call votes across 11 states, I furthermore find a weak relationship between legislators’ roll-call positions and election outcomes with voters rewarding or punishing legislators for only 4 of 30 examined roll calls. Thus, while state legislators wield considerable policymaking power, elections do not appear to hold many legislators accountable for their lawmaking.
The Performance of Short-Term Institutional Trades
Authors: Chakrabarty Bidisha , Moulton Pamela C. , Trzcinka Charles
Published: June 2017

Using a database of daily institutional trades, we document that a majority of short-term institutional trades lose money. In aggregate, over 23% of round-trip trades are held for less than 3 months, and the returns on these trades average -3.91% (nonannualized). These losses are pervasive across all types of stocks, with the lowest returns occurring in small stocks, value stocks, and low-momentum stocks. Short-term trades lose more in more volatile markets. Across funds, the worst short-term returns accrue to funds that do the most trading, and there is no evidence of persistent skill or disposition effect in short-term institutional trades.
Understanding membrane-active antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Huang Huey W. , Charron Nicholas E.
Published: June 2017

Bacterial membranes represent an attractive target for the design of new antibiotics to combat widespread bacterial resistance to traditional inhibitor-based antibiotics. Understanding how antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and other membrane-active agents attack membranes could facilitate the design of new, effective antimicrobials. AMPs, which are small, gene-encoded host defense proteins, offer a promising basis for the study of membrane-active antimicrobial agents. These peptides are cationic and amphipathic, spontaneously binding to bacterial membranes and inducing transmembrane permeability to small molecules. Yet there are often confusions surrounding the details of the molecular mechanisms of AMPs. Following the doctrine of structure–function relationship, AMPs are often viewed as the molecular scaffolding of pores in membranes. Instead we believe that the full mechanism of AMPs is understandable if we consider the interactions of AMPs with the whole membrane domain, where interactions induce structural transformations of the entire membrane, rather than forming localized molecular structures. We believe that it is necessary to consider the entire soft matter peptide-membrane system as it evolves through several distinct states. Accordingly, we have developed experimental techniques to investigate the state and structure of the membrane as a function of the bound peptide to lipid ratio, exactly as AMPs in solution progressively bind to the membrane and induce structural changes to the entire system. The results from these studies suggest that global interactions of AMPs with the membrane domain are of fundamental importance to understanding the antimicrobial mechanisms of AMPs.
The mouse pulvinar nucleus: Organization of the tectorecipient zones
Authors: ZHOU NA , MAIRE PHILLIP S. , MASTERSON SEAN P. , BICKFORD MARTHA E.
Published: June 2017

Comparative studies have greatly contributed to our understanding of the organization and function of visual pathways of the brain, including that of humans. This comparative approach is a particularly useful tactic for studying the pulvinar nucleus, an enigmatic structure which comprises the largest territory of the human thalamus. This review focuses on the regions of the mouse pulvinar that receive input from the superior colliculus, and highlights similarities of the tectorecipient pulvinar identified across species. Open questions are discussed, as well as the potential contributions of the mouse model for endeavors to elucidate the function of the pulvinar nucleus.
Triumph through texting: Restoring learners’ interest in grammar
Authors: Hedjazi Moghari Mona , Marandi S. Susan
Published: June 2017

It is usually the case that learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) are exposed to language materials in class only, and of course in such a short space of time, they do not always find enough chance to practice English grammar features and become aware of their grammar mistakes. As a potential solution to this problem, the current study inspects the impact of using cell phones, specifically text messages (via short message service) as supplementary tools, on Iranian elementary level EFL learners’ grammar learning. In the first phase of the study, 60 students aged 14 were randomly divided into experimental and comparison groups. Throughout the 12 weeks of treatment, the participants in the experimental group received 120 text messages containing grammar exercises, whereas the participants in the comparison group received a similar number of vocabulary messages as a placebo treatment and were otherwise treated exactly the same as the experimental group. A researcher-made grammar test was used to estimate whether presenting grammar exercises via text messages has any impact on language learners’ grammar learning. The results demonstrated that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the grammar learning of the participants who practiced grammar points through text messages and those who did not. The researchers also interviewed various stakeholders, comprising ten students, five parents, the teacher, and the school principal. A qualitative content analysis was carried out to find themes relevant to the stakeholders’ beliefs about making use of text messages for learning grammar. The findings suggest that text messages can be useful for learning grammar points, since they engage learners’ interest and encourage them to study more in order to text the correct answers when they are outside their classrooms.
Change and stability ingoose,goatandfoot:back vowel dynamics in Carlisle English
Authors: JANSEN SANDRA
Published: June 2017

In this article, I demonstrate thatgoose-fronting is taking place in Carlisle, a city in the north-west of England, and I provide detailed information about this change. The results show that similarly strong linguistic constraints are found in this variety and other varieties. A second point of discussion is the dynamics betweengooseand other back vowels, i.e.goatandfoot, in this community. I argue that we also need to study the most adjacent back vowels in order to understand the complexity of this vowel change and the influence on nearby vowels. The data stem from interviews conducted in Carlisle between 2007 and 2010 and show that whilegooseis fronting across apparent time, forgoatandfootno change in progress is observable. These dynamics seem to be geographically restricted to the north-west of England. While a parallel shift ofgooseandgoatis very common in US and southern English varieties, the fronting ofgoatis not found in this northern variety. This lack of change is due to the monophthongal realisation of thegoatvowel which prevents a parallel shift. Similarly, the fronting offootseems to be blocked due to the lack of thefoot–strutsplit.
Breast-feeding counselling mitigates the negative association of domestic violence on exclusive breast-feeding duration in rural Bangladesh. The MINIMat randomized trial
Authors: Frith Amy L , Ziaei Shirin , Naved Ruchira Tabassum , Khan Ashraful Islam , Kabir Iqbal , Ekström Eva-Charlotte
Published: June 2017

Objective

To determine if exclusive breast-feeding counselling modifies the association of experience of any lifetime or specific forms of domestic violence (DV) on duration of exclusive breast-feeding (EBF).

Design

In the MINIMat trial pregnant women were randomized to receive either usual health messages (UHM) or usual health messages with breast-feeding counselling (BFC) in eight visits. During pregnancy (30 weeks), lifetime experience of any or specific forms of DV was measured. Infant feeding practice information was collected from 0 to 6 months at 15 d intervals.

Setting

Matlab, Bangladesh.

Subjects

Pregnant and postpartum women (n 3186) and their infants.

Results

Among women in the UHM group, those who had experienced any lifetime DV exclusively breast-fed for a shorter duration than women who did not experience any lifetime DV (P=0·02). There was no difference, however, in duration of EBF among women in the BFC group based on their experience of any lifetime DV exposure (P=0·48). Using Cox regression analysis, there was an interaction of exposure to any lifetime DV, sexual violence and controlling behaviour, and counselling group with duration of breast-feeding at or before 6 months (P-interaction≤0·08). Among the UHM group, experience of any lifetime DV, sexual violence or controlling behaviour was associated with fewer days of EBF (P<0·05). In contrast, among the BFC group, experience of DV was not associated with duration of EBF.

Conclusions

The experience of DV compromises EBF and the support of breast-feeding counselling programmes could assist this vulnerable group towards better infant feeding practices.
The provision of ultra-processed foods and their contribution to sodium availability in Australian long day care centres
Authors: O’Halloran Siobhan A , Lacy Kathleen E , Woods Julie , Grimes Carley A , Campbell Karen J , Nowson Caryl A
Published: June 2017

Objectives

To categorize and assess all foods, beverages and ingredients provided over one week at Australian long day care (LDC) centres according to four levels of food processing and to assess the contribution of Na from each level of processing.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Menus for lunch, morning and afternoon snacks were collected from LDC centres. The level of food processing of all foods, beverages and ingredients was assessed utilizing a four-level food processing classification system: minimally processed (MP), processed culinary ingredients (PCI), processed (P) and ultra-processed (ULP).

Results

A total of thirty-five menus (lunch,n35; snacks,n70) provided to 1–5-year-old children were collected from seven LDC centres. Proportions of foodstuffs classified as MP, PCI, P and ULP were 54, 10, 15 and 21 %, respectively. All lunches were classified as MP. ULP foods accounted for 6 % of morning snacks; 41 % of afternoon snacks. Mean daily amount of Na provided per child across all centres was 633 (sd151) mg. ULP foods provided 40 % of Na, followed by P (35 %), MP (23 %) and PCI (2 %).

Conclusions

Centres provided foods resulting in a mean total daily Na content that represented 63 % of the recommended Upper Level of Intake for Na in this age group. A significant proportion of ULP snack foods were included, which were the major contributor to total daily Na intake. Replacement of ULP snack foods with MP lower-Na alternatives is recommended.
Osteoblastic heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans control bone remodeling by regulating Wnt signaling and the crosstalk between bone surface and marrow cells
Authors: Mansouri Rafik , Jouan Yohann , Hay Eric , Blin-Wakkach Claudine , Frain Monique , Ostertag Agnès , Le Henaff Carole , Marty Caroline , Geoffroy Valérie , Marie Pierre J , Cohen-Solal Martine , Modrowski Dominique
Published: June 2017

Stimulating bone formation is an important challenge for bone anabolism in osteoporotic patients or to repair bone defects. The osteogenic properties of matrix glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have been explored; however, the functions of GAGs at the surface of bone-forming cells are less documented. Syndecan-2 is a membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan that is associated with osteoblastic differentiation. We used a transgenic mouse model with high syndecan-2 expression in osteoblasts to enrich the bone surface with cellular GAGs. Bone mass was increased in these transgenic mice. Syndecan-2 overexpression reduced the expression of receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) in bone marrow cells and strongly inhibited bone resorption. Osteoblast activity was not modified in the transgenic mice, but bone formation was decreased in 4-month-old transgenic mice because of reduced osteoblast number. Increased proteoglycan expression at the bone surface resulted in decreased osteoblastic and osteoclastic precursors in bone marrow. Indeed, syndecan-2 overexpression increased apoptosis of mesenchymal precursors within the bone marrow. However, syndecan-2 specifically promoted the vasculature characterized by high expression of CD31 and Endomucin in 6-week-old transgenic mice, but this was reduced in 12-week-old transgenic mice. Finally, syndecan-2 functions as an inhibitor of Wnt-β-catenin–T-cell factor signaling pathway, activating glycogen synthase kinase 3 and then decreasing the Wnt-dependent production of Wnt ligands and R-spondin. In conclusion, our results show that GAG supply may improve osteogenesis, but also interfere with the crosstalk between the bone surface and marrow cells, altering the supporting function of osteoblasts.
Autophagy fails to prevent glucose deprivation/glucose reintroduction-induced neuronal death due to calpain-mediated lysosomal dysfunction in cortical neurons
Authors: Gerónimo-Olvera Cristian , Montiel Teresa , Rincon-Heredia Ruth , Castro-Obregón Susana , Massieu Lourdes
Published: June 2017

Autophagy is triggered during nutrient and energy deprivation in a variety of cells as a homeostatic response to metabolic stress. In the CNS, deficient autophagy has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases and ischemic brain injury. However, its role in hypoglycemic damage is poorly understood and the dynamics of autophagy during the hypoglycemic and the glucose reperfusion periods, has not been fully described. In the present study, we analyzed the changes in the content of the autophagy proteins BECN1, LC3-II and p62/SQSTM1 by western blot, and autophagosome formation was followed through time-lapse experiments, during glucose deprivation (GD) and glucose reintroduction (GR) in cortical cultures. According to the results, autophagosome formation rapidly increased during GD, and was followed by an active autophagic flux early after glucose replenishment. However, cells progressively died during GR and autophagy inhibition reduced neuronal death. Neurons undergoing apoptosis during GR did not form autophagosomes, while those surviving up to late GR showed autophagosomes. Calpain activity strongly increased during GR and remained elevated during progressive neuronal death. Its activation led to the cleavage of LAMP2 resulting in lysosome membrane permeabilization (LMP) and release of cathepsin B to the cytosol. Calpain inhibition prevented LMP and increased the number of neurons containing lysosomes and autophagosomes increasing cell viability. Taken together, the present results suggest that calpain-mediated lysosome dysfunction during GR turns an adaptive autophagy response to energy stress into a defective autophagy pathway, which contributes to neuronal death. In these conditions, autophagy inhibition results in the improvement of cell survival.
Ten-eleven translocation 2 interacts with forkhead box O3 and regulates adult neurogenesis
Authors: Li Xuekun , Yao Bing , Chen Li , Kang Yunhee , Li Yujing , Cheng Ying , Li Liping , Lin Li , Wang Zhiqin , Wang Mengli , Pan Feng , Dai Qing , Zhang Wei , Wu Hao , Shu Qiang , Qin Zhaohui , He Chuan , Xu Mingjiang , Jin Peng
Published: June 2017

Emerging evidence suggests that active DNA demethylation machinery plays important epigenetic roles in mammalian adult neurogenesis; however, the precise molecular mechanisms and critical functional players of DNA demethylation in this process remain largely unexplored. Ten–eleven translocation (Tet) proteins convert 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and its downstream derivatives. Here we show that 5hmC is elevated during the differentiation of adult neural stem cells (aNSCs), and Tet2 is primarily responsible for modulating 5hmC dynamics. Depletion of Tet2 leads to increased aNSC proliferation and reduced differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Genome-wide transcriptional analyses reveal important epigenetic roles of Tet2 in maintaining the transcriptome landscape related to neurogenesis. Mechanistically, transcription factor forkhead box O3 (Foxo3a) physically interacts with Tet2 and regulates the expression of genes related to aNSC proliferation. These data together establish an important role for the Tet2-Foxo3a axis in epigenetically regulating critical genes in aNSCs during adult neurogenesis.
Electronegative low-density lipoprotein increases the risk of ischemic lower-extremity peripheral artery disease in uremia patients on maintenance hemodialysis
Authors: Chang Chiz-Tzung , Shen Ming-Yi , Lee An-Sean , Wang Chun-Cheng , Chen Wei-Yu , Chang Chia-Ming , Chang Kuan-Cheng , Stancel Nicole , Chen Chu-Huang
Published: June 2017

Electronegative low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been shown to increase coronary artery disease risk in hemodialysis patients, but its effect on the risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD) remains unclear. We separated plasma LDL from 90 uremia patients undergoing hemodialysis into 5 subfractions (L1–L5) according to charge by using fast-protein liquid chromatography with an anion-exchange column and examined the distribution of L5—the most electronegative LDL subfraction—in total LDL (i.e. L5%). During a 5-year period, we followed up with these patients until the occurrence of ischemic lower-extremity PAD. During the follow-up period, ischemic lower-extremity PAD developed in 24.4% of hemodialysis patients. L5% was higher in hemodialysis patients in whom ischemic lower-extremity PAD occurred (3.03% [IQR, 2.36–4.54], n = 22) than in hemodialysis patients in whom PAD did not occur (1.13% [IQR, 0.90–1.83], n = 68) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, L5% significantly increased the adjusted hazard ratio of ischemic lower-extremity PAD (1.54 [95% CI, 1.14–2.10]) (p = 0.005). Flow-mediated dilation was negatively associated with L5% (p < 0.001). Additionally, in vivo experiments from mice showed that L5 compromised endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation through a nitric oxide–related mechanism. Our findings indicate that increased L5% may be associated with the occurrence of ischemic lower-extremity PAD in hemodialysis patients.
Sulfonated reduced graphene oxide catalyzed cyclization of hydrazides and carbon dioxide to 1,3,4-oxadiazoles under sonication
Authors: Brahmayya Manuri , Dai Shenghong A. , Suen Shing-Yi
Published: June 2017

Acid catalysts facilitate many chemical reactions. Sulfonated reduced grapheneoxide (rGOPhSO3H) has shown to be an encouraging solid acid catalyst because of its efficiency, cost-effectiveness and safety of use. In this study, we prepared the rGOPhSO3H nano acid catalyst, with the introduction of aromatic sulfonic acid radicals onto GO by fractional removal of oxygenated functions. It was thoroughly characterized by FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and solid state 13C MAS NMR (SSNMR). Here we report the conversion of CO2 (1.0 atm pressure, at = 50 °C, the source of C1 carbon feed stock) with hydrazides and a catalytic amount rGOPhSO3H, which through a cyclization reaction results in a new strategy for the synthesis of 5-substituted-3H-[1,3,4]-oxadiazol-2-ones (SOxdOs) under ultrasonic irradiation. Hence this concept of cyclization opens up for new insights
Global, site-specific analysis of neuronal protein S-acylation
Authors: Collins Mark O. , Woodley Keith T. , Choudhary Jyoti S.
Published: June 2017

Protein S-acylation (palmitoylation) is a reversible lipid modification that is an important regulator of dynamic membrane-protein interactions. Proteomic approaches have uncovered many putative palmitoylated proteins however, methods for comprehensive palmitoylation site characterization are lacking. We demonstrate a quantitative site-specific-Acyl-Biotin-Exchange (ssABE) method that allowed the identification of 906 putative palmitoylation sites on 641 proteins from mouse forebrain. 62% of sites map to known palmitoylated proteins and 102 individual palmitoylation sites are known from the literature. 54% of palmitoylation sites map to synaptic proteins including many GPCRs, receptors/ion channels and peripheral membrane proteins. Phosphorylation sites were also identified on a subset of peptides that were palmitoylated, demonstrating for the first time co-identification of these modifications by mass spectrometry. Palmitoylation sites were identified on over half of the family of palmitoyl-acyltransferases (PATs) that mediate protein palmitoylation, including active site thioester-linked palmitoyl intermediates. Distinct palmitoylation motifs and site topology were identified for integral membrane and soluble proteins, indicating potential differences in associated PAT specificity and palmitoylation function. ssABE allows the global identification of palmitoylation sites as well as measurement of the active site modification state of PATs, enabling palmitoylation to be studied at a systems level.
Linking functions: an additional role for an intrinsically disordered linker domain in the transcriptional coactivator CBP
Authors: Contreras-Martos Sara , Piai Alessandro , Kosol Simone , Varadi Mihaly , Bekesi Angela , Lebrun Pierre , Volkov Alexander N. , Gevaert Kris , Pierattelli Roberta , Felli Isabella C. , Tompa Peter
Published: June 2017

The multi-domain transcriptional coactivators CBP/p300 integrate a multitude of signaling inputs, interacting with more than 400 proteins via one or more of their globular domains. While CBP/p300 function is typically considered in terms of these structured domains, about half of the protein consists of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of varying length. However, these IDRs have only been thought of as linkers that allow flexible spatial arrangement of the structured domains, but recent studies have shown that similar IDRs mediate specific and critical interactions in other proteins. To examine the roles of IDRs in CBP, we performed yeast-two-hybrid screenings of placenta and lung cancer cDNA libraries, which demonstrated that the long IDR linking the KIX domain and bromodomain of CBP (termed ID3) can potentially bind to several proteins. The RNA-binding Zinc-finger protein 106 (ZFP106) detected in both libraries was identified as a novel substrate for CBP-mediated acetylation. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy combined with cross-linking experiments and competition-binding assays showed that the fully disordered isolated ID3 transiently interacts with an IDR of ZFP106 in a fashion that disorder of both regions is maintained. These findings demonstrate that beside the linking function, ID3 can also interact with acetylation substrates of CBP.
Basal hypersecretion of glucagon and insulin from palmitate-exposed human islets depends on FFAR1 but not decreased somatostatin secretion
Authors: Kristinsson H. , Sargsyan E. , Manell H. , Smith D. M. , Göpel S. O. , Bergsten P.
Published: June 2017

In obesity fasting levels of both glucagon and insulin are elevated. In these subjects fasting levels of the free fatty acid palmitate are raised. We have demonstrated that palmitate enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated human islets via free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1/GPR40). Since FFAR1 is also present on glucagon-secreting alpha-cells, we hypothesized that palmitate simultaneously stimulates secretion of glucagon and insulin at fasting glucose concentrations. In addition, we hypothesized that concomitant hypersecretion of glucagon and insulin was also contributed by reduced somatostatin secretion. We found basal glucagon, insulin and somatostatin secretion and respiration from human islets, to be enhanced during palmitate treatment at normoglycemia. Secretion of all hormones and mitochondrial respiration were lowered when FFAR1 or fatty acid β-oxidation was inhibited. The findings were confirmed in the human beta-cell line EndoC-βH1. We conclude that fatty acids enhance both glucagon and insulin secretion at fasting glucose concentrations and that FFAR1 and enhanced mitochondrial metabolism but not lowered somatostatin secretion are crucial in this effect. The ability of chronically elevated palmitate levels to simultaneously increase basal secretion of glucagon and insulin positions elevated levels of fatty acids as potential triggering factors for the development of obesity and impaired glucose control.
High performance asymmetric supercapacitor based on Cobalt Nickle Iron-layered double hydroxide/carbon nanofibres and activated carbon
Authors: Wang Feifei , Sun Shiguo , Xu Yongqian , Wang Ting , Yu Ruijin , Li Hongjuan
Published: June 2017

A novel Cobalt Nickle Iron-layered double hydroxide/carbon nanofibres (CoNiFe-LDH/CNFs-0.5) composite was successfully fabricated through an easy in situ growth approach. The morphology and composition of the obtained materials were systematically investigated. When the two derived materials were used for supercapacitor electrodes, the CoNiFe-LDH/CNFs-0.5 composite displayed high specific surface area (114.2 m2 g−1), specific capacitance (1203 F g−1 at 1 A g−1) and rate capability (77.1% from 1 A g−1 to 10 A g−1), which were considerably higher than those of pure CoNiFe-LDH. Moreover, the specific capacitance of CoNiFe-LDH/CNFs-0.5 composite remained at 94.4% after 1000 cycles at 20 A g−1, suggesting excellent long-time cycle life. The asymmetric supercapacitor based on CoNiFe-LDH/CNFs-0.5 as a positive electrode and activated carbon as a negative electrode was manufactured and it exhibited a specific capacitance of 84.9 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and a high energy density of 30.2 W h kg−1. More importantly, this device showed long-term cycling stability, with 82.7% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 10 A g−1. Thus, this composite with outstanding electrochemical performance could be a promising electrode material for supercapacitors.
A high-speed electro-optic triple-microring resonator modulator
Authors: Hong Jianxun , Qiu Feng , Cheng Xiaoyang , Spring Andrew M. , Yokoyama Shiyoshi
Published: June 2017

The coupling intensity modulator based on a triple-microring structure was proposed and numerically investigated for a high speed and a low bit error ratio (BER) operation. The modulator consists of a dual-microring optical cavity and a gate-microring energy feedback path. The optical cavity ensures a high energy storing efficiency, and the feedback path enables modulation with little intracavity energy decay. The bandwidth of 103 GHz and modulation depth of 6.2 dB at 2.0 Vpp were theoretically verified by the analysis of the sinusoidal modulation performance. Pulse modulation resulted in a data rate of 160 Gbps, an extinction ratio of 16.84 dB, and a BER of 1 × 10−8. The proposed modulator is applicable for compact, high-speed, and low-energy photonic integration.
An attenuated Machupo virus with a disrupted L-segment intergenic region protects guinea pigs against lethal Guanarito virus infection
Authors: Golden Joseph W. , Beitzel Brett , Ladner Jason T. , Mucker Eric M. , Kwilas Steven A. , Palacios Gustavo , Hooper Jay W.
Published: June 2017

Machupo virus (MACV) is a New World (NW) arenavirus and causative agent of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever (HF). Here, we identified a variant of MACV strain Carvallo termed Car91 that was attenuated in guinea pigs. Infection of guinea pigs with an earlier passage of Carvallo, termed Car68, resulted in a lethal disease with a 63% mortality rate. Sequencing analysis revealed that compared to Car68, Car91 had a 35 nucleotide (nt) deletion and a point mutation within the L-segment intergenic region (IGR), and three silent changes in the polymerase gene that did not impact amino acid coding. No changes were found on the S-segment. Because it was apathogenic, we determined if Car91 could protect guinea pigs against Guanarito virus (GTOV), a distantly related NW arenavirus. While naïve animals succumbed to GTOV infection, 88% of the Car91-exposed guinea pigs were protected. These findings indicate that attenuated MACV vaccines can provide heterologous protection against NW arenaviruses. The disruption in the L-segment IGR, including a single point mutant and 35 nt partial deletion, were the only major variance detected between virulent and avirulent isolates, implicating its role in attenuation. Overall, our data support the development of live-attenuated arenaviruses as broadly protective pan-arenavirus vaccines.
Motor dysfunction and touch-slang in user interface data
Authors: Klein Yoni , Djaldetti Ruth , Keller Yosi , Bachelet Ido
Published: June 2017

The recent proliferation in mobile touch-based devices paves the way for increasingly efficient, easy to use natural user interfaces (NUI). Unfortunately, touch-based NUIs might prove difficult, or even impossible to operate, in certain conditions e.g. when suffering from motor dysfunction such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Yet, the prevalence of such devices makes them particularly suitable for acquiring motor function data, and enabling the early detection of PD symptoms and other conditions. In this work we acquired a unique database of more than 12,500 annotated NUI multi-touch gestures, collected from PD patients and healthy volunteers, that were analyzed by applying advanced shape analysis and statistical inference schemes. The proposed analysis leads to a novel detection scheme for early stages of PD. Moreover, our computational analysis revealed that young subjects may be using a ‘slang’ form of gesture-making to reduce effort and attention cost while maintaining meaning, whereas older subjects put an emphasis on content and precise performance.
A comprehensive ethnic-based analysis of alpha thalassaemia allelle frequency in northern Thailand
Authors: Kulaphisit Mattapong , Kampuansai Jatupol , Leecharoenkiat Kamonlak , Wathikthinnakon Methi , Kangwanpong Daoroong , Munkongdee Thongperm , Svasti Saovaros , Fucharoen Suthat , Smith Duncan R. , Lithanatudom Pathrapol
Published: June 2017

Alpha (α)-thalassaemia is one of the most prevalent hereditary blood disorders, commonly affecting Southeast Asian people, with the highest incidence (30–40%) being seen in northern Thailand. However, this high incidence was estimated without consideration of the variations between ethnic populations and the geographical location of the populations. To address this issue, a total of 688 samples from 13 different northern Thai ethnic groups (30 villages) categorized into three linguistic groups were genotyped for deletional alpha-thalassaemia (-α3.7, -α4.2, --SEA and --THAI) and/or non-deletional alpha-thalassaemia (αCS and αPS) via multiplex gap-PCR and dot-blot hybridization, respectively. Alpha+(-α3.7, -α4.2, αCS and αPS) and alpha°-thalassaemia (--SEA and --THAI) allele frequencies (with 95% Confidence Interval) were the highest in the Sino-Tibetan group [0.13 (0.08–0.18)] and the Tai-Kadai group [0.03 (0.02–0.05)], respectively. With regards to ethnicity, the varying allele frequency of α+ and α°-thalassaemia amongst a variety of ethnic groups was observed. The highest α+-thalassaemia allele frequency was found in the Paluang [0.21 (0.10–0.37)] while α°-thalassaemia allele frequency was the highest in the Yuan [0.04 (0.01–0.10)]. These detailed results of alpha thalassaemia allele frequency and genetic diversity amongst the northern Thai ethnic groups demonstrate the need for ethnicity based thalassaemia prevention programs.
Molecular origin of drug release by water boiling inside carbon nanotubes from reactive molecular dynamics simulation and DFT perspectives
Authors: Ganji M. Darvish , Mirzaei Sh. , Dalirandeh Z.
Published: June 2017

Owing to their nanosized hollow cylindrical structure, CNTs hold the promise to be utilized as desired materials for encapsulating molecules which demonstrate wide inferences in drug delivery. Here we evaluate the possibility of drug release from the CNTs with various types and edge chemistry by reactive MD simulation to explain the scientifically reliable relations for proposed process. It was shown that heating of CNTs (up to 750 K) cannot be used for release of incorporated drug (phenylalanine) into water and even carbonated water solvent with very low boiling temperature. This is due to the strong physisorption (π-stacking interaction) between the aromatic of encapsulated drug and CNT sidewall which causes the drug to bind the nanotube sidewall. We have further investigated the interaction nature and release mechanism of water and drug confined/released within/from the CNTs by DFT calculations and the results confirmed our MD simulation findings. The accuracy of DFT method was also validated against the experimental and theoretical values at MP2/CCSD level. Therefore, we find that boiling of water/carbonated water confined within the CNTs could not be a suitable technique for efficient drug release. Our atomistic simulations provide a well-grounded understanding for the release of drug molecules confined within CNTs.
Phononic Fano resonances in graphene nanoribbons with local defects
Authors: Savin Alexander V. , Kivshar Yuri S.
Published: June 2017

We study the interaction between localized vibrational modes and propagating phonons in graphene nanoribbons with different types of localized internal and edge defects. We analyze discrete eigenmodes of the nanoribbons with defects and also employ direct numerical simulations of the ballistic phonon and heat transport. We observe a partial suppression of the phonon transport due to the so-called phononic Fano resonances originating from interference between localized and propagating phonons. We observe lower transmission for the defects which support larger number of localized eigenmodes. The Fano resonance is also manifested in the reduction of the heat transport along the graphene stripe, when each of the local defects reduces the amount of the heat flow transmitted through the nanoribbon, with the effect being more pronounced at low temperatures when the thermal energy transfer is dominated by the phonon transport. We also study the similar problems for edge defects in graphene nanoribbons and demonstrate that a reduction of the thermal conductivity is proportional to the length of a rough edge of the nanoribbon with edge defects.
Higher Fertilizer Inputs Increase Fitness Traits of Brown Planthopper in Rice
Authors: Rashid M. M. , Ahmed N. , Jahan M. , Islam K. S. , Nansen C. , Willers J. L. , Ali M. P.
Published: June 2017

Rice (Oryza sativaL.) is the primary staple food source for more than half of the world’s population. In many developing countries, increased use of fertilizers is a response to increase demand for rice. In this study, we investigated the effects of three principal fertilizer components (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) on the development of potted rice plants and their effects on fitness traits of the brown planthopper (BPH) [Nilaparvata lugens(Stål) (Homoptera: Delphacidae)], which is a major pest of rice in Bangladesh and elsewhere. Compared to low fertilizer inputs, high fertilizer treatments induced plant growth but also favored BPH development. The BPH had higher survival, developed faster, and the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) was higher on well-fertilized than under-fertilized plants. Among the fertilizer inputs, nitrogen had the strongest effect on the fitness traits of BPH. Furthermore, both the “Plant vigor hypothesis” and the “Plant stress hypothesis” were supported by the results, the former hypothesis more so than the latter. These hypotheses suggest that the most suitable/attractive hosts for insect herbivores are the most vigorous plants. Our findings emphasized that an exclusive focus on yield increases through only enhanced crop fertilization may have unforeseen, indirect, effects on crop susceptibility to pests, such as BPH.
Endogenous melatonin promotes rhythmic recruitment of neutrophils toward an injury in zebrafish
Authors: Ren Da-long , Ji Cheng , Wang Xiao-Bo , Wang Han , Hu Bing
Published: June 2017

Neutrophil recruitment to injured tissue appears to be an evolutionarily conserved strategy for organisms to fight against exogenous insults. Recent studies have shown rhythmic migration of neutrophils and several factors, including melatonin, have been implicated in regulating this rhythmic migration. The mechanisms underlying how endogenous melatonin regulates rhythmic neutrophils migration, however, are unclear. Here we generated a zebrafish annat2 mutant that lacks endogenous melatonin and, subsequently, a Tg(lyz:EGFP);aanat2−/− transgenic line that allows for monitoring neutrophils migration visually in live zebrafish. We observed that migrating neutrophils are significantly reduced in aanat2−/− mutant zebrafish under a light/dark condition, and the disrupted migrating rhythmicity of neutrophils in aanat2−/− zebrafish is independent of the circadian clock. Further, we also found that endogenous melatonin enhances neutrophils migration likely by inducing the expression of cytokines such as interleukin-8 and interleukin-1β. Together, our findings provide evidence that endogenous melatonin promotes rhythmic migration of neutrophils through cytokines in zebrafish.
Correction: A universal strategy for visual chiral recognition of α-amino acids with l-tartaric acid-capped gold nanoparticles as colorimetric probes
Authors: Song Guoxin , Zhou Fulin , Xu Chunli , Li Baoxin
Published: June 2017

Correction for ‘A universal strategy for visual chiral recognition of α-amino acids with l-tartaric acid-capped gold nanoparticles as colorimetric probes’ by Guoxin Song et al., Analyst, 2016, 141, 1257–1265.
Correction: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance the copper tolerance of Tagetes patula through the sorption and barrier mechanisms of intraradical hyphae
Authors: Zhou Xishi , Fu Lei , Xia Yan , Zheng Luqing , Chen Chen , Shen Zhenguo , Chen Yahua
Published: June 2017

Correction for ‘Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance the copper tolerance of Tagetes patula through the sorption and barrier mechanisms of intraradical hyphae’ by Xishi Zhou et al., Metallomics, 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c7mt00072c.
Graphene dispersions in alkanes: toward fast drying conducting inks
Authors: Al Shboul A. , Trudeau C. , Cloutier S. , Siaj M. , Claverie J. P.
Published: June 2017

A highly conducting graphene ink that dries immediately.
Highly sensitive determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug nimesulide using electrochemically reduced graphene oxide nanoribbons
Authors: Govindasamy Mani , Mani Veerappan , Chen Shen-Ming , Maiyalagan Thandavarayan , Selvaraj S. , Chen Tse-Wei , Lee Shih-Yi , Chang Wen-Han
Published: June 2017

Preparation of an electrochemically reduced graphene nanoribbon (ER-GONR) film modified screen-printed carbon electrode for the highly sensitive determination of nimesulide.
Phase behavior, rheology, and release from liquid crystalline phases containing combinations of glycerol monooleate, glyceryl monooleyl ether, propylene glycol, and water
Authors: Evenbratt Hanne , Ström Anna
Published: June 2017

Quaternary phase diagram of the GMO/GME/PG and water system is determined, allowing for controlled phase transitions triggered by temperature or humidity.
Scanning tunneling spectroscopic monitoring of surface states role on water passivation of InGaAs uncapped quantum dots
Authors: Milla M. J. , Hernández-Rodríguez I. , Méndez J. , García Jorge M. , Ulloa J. M. , Guzmán Á.
Published: June 2017

A detailed local analysis of the impact of water coverage on the density of surface states in In0.5Ga0.5As surface nanostructures is reported by spectroscopy monitoring the surface conductivity at the nanometer-scale.
Formation of unusual microphase-separated ultrathin films of poly(vinyl catechol-block-styrene) (PVCa-b-PSt) at the air–water interface by solution casting onto water
Authors: Yabu Hiroshi , Nagano Shusaku
Published: June 2017

Formation of ultrathin films of poly(vinyl catechol-block-styrene) (PVCa-b-PSt) at the air–water interface was accomplished by mixing a THF solution with the water phase followed by solvent evaporation.
A novel ultralight three-dimensional house-of-cards titania monolith for extraordinary heavy-metal adsorption
Authors: Zhao Wenli , Chen I.-Wei , Xu Fangfang , Huang Fuqiang
Published: June 2017

Ultralight graphene foams have recently attracted attention due to their unique properties and applications, but few analogues of metal oxides are possible to prepare.
Correction: High surface area, amorphous titania with reactive Ti3+ through a photo-assisted synthesis method for photocatalytic H2 generation
Authors: Zywitzki Dennis , Jing Hangkun , Tüysüz Harun , Chan Candace K.
Published: June 2017

Correction for ‘High surface area, amorphous titania with reactive Ti3+ through a photo-assisted synthesis method for photocatalytic H2 generation’ by Dennis Zywitzki et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2017, 5, 10957–10967.
Correction: Unusual mechanohypsochromic luminescence and unique bidirectional thermofluorochromism of long-alkylated simple DPP dyes
Authors: Ying Shian , Chen Mingshuai , Liu Zhongwei , Zheng Meng , Zhang Haichang , Xue Shanfeng , Yang Wenjun
Published: June 2017

Correction for ‘Unusual mechanohypsochromic luminescence and unique bidirectional thermofluorochromism of long-alkylated simple DPP dyes’ by Shian Ying et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2017, 5, 5994–5998.
Regularization and discretization error estimates for optimal control of ODEs with group sparsity
Authors: Schneider Christopher , Wachsmuth Gerd
Published: June 2017

It is well known that optimal control problems with L1-control costs produce sparse solutions, i.e., the optimal control is zero on whole intervals. In this paper, we study a general class of convex linear-quadratic optimal control problems with a sparsity functional that promotes a so-called group sparsity structure of the optimal controls. In this case, the components of the control function take the value of zero on parts of the time interval, simultaneously. These problems are both theoretically interesting and practically relevant. After obtaining results about the structure of the optimal controls, we derive stability estimates for the solution of the problem w.r.t. perturbations and L2-regularization. These results are consequently applied to prove convergence of the Euler discretization. Finally, the usefulness of our approach is demonstrated by solving an illustrative example using a semismooth Newton method.
l-Proline-Catalysed One-Pot Regio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Spiro[pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-amine-6,5′-pyrimidines] in Water
Authors: Kalita Subarna , Das Bidyut , Deka Dibakar
Published: June 2017

A simple l-proline-catalysed regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of spiro[pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-amine-6,5′-pyrimidines] in water through a strategy of one-pot multicomponent domino reaction of 2,6-diaminopyrimidin-4-one, aldehydes and barbituric acids is described. The notable advantages of the protocol are operational simplicity, mild reaction conditions, simple purification process involving no chromatographic techniques, wide substrate scope, and high yields. The method delivers the desired product within short reaction time and with a diastereoselectivity of 61:39 to 100:0, which makes the protocol highly attractive.
Ynamide: A New Coupling Reagent for Amide and Peptide Synthesis
Authors: Hu Long , Zhao Junfeng
Published: June 2017

The discovery and application of ynamide coupling reagents is highlighted with a brief summary of the development history of coupling reagents in amide and peptide synthesis. As novel coupling reagents, ynamides are not only effective for simple amide and dipeptide synthesis but also can be used for peptide fragment condensation. More importantly, no racemization was detected during the activation of α-chiral carboxylic acids by employing ynamide coupling reagents.

1 Introduction

2 Carbodiimide Coupling Reagents

3 Uronium/Guanidinium Salt Coupling Reagents

4 Phosphonium Salt Coupling Reagents

5 Ethoxyacetylene as a Coupling Reagent

6 Ynamine Coupling Reagents

7 Ynamide Coupling Reagents

8 Summary and Outlook
Aspartic Acid Side-Chain Benzyl Ester as a Multifunctionalization Precursor for Synthesis of Branched and Cyclic Arginylglycylaspartic Acid Peptides
Authors: Le Zhiping , Huang Wei , Tian Xiaobo , Yu Pengqiu , Tang Yubo
Published: June 2017

Here, we report a peptide aspartic acid side-chain benzyl ester as a useful precursor that can be efficiently converted into various functional groups, including acid, amide, carbonyl hydrazide, carbonyl azide, or thio ester groups, without other protection for the peptide. With this strategy, we synthesized a series of novel branched and cyclic arginylglycylaspartic acid peptides through successive peptide C-terminal ligation and side-chain ligation based on a side-chain carbonyl azide or thio ester.
Suzuki–Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reactions in Acetic Acid Employing Sydnone-Derived Catalyst Systems
Authors: Schmidt Andreas , Lücke Ana-Luiza , Wiechmann Sascha , Freese Tyll
Published: June 2017

The catalyst system consisting of lithium N-phenylsydnone-4-carboxylate/Pd(PPh3)4 has proven to be an effective catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene with boronic acids in acetic acid at pH 5.7, whereas the N-phenylsydnone carbene palladium complex [sydPd(PPh3)2Br] required pH 8.0.
Nasal Tip Dermoid Sinus Cyst Excision by Open Rhinoplasty Technique
Authors: Sakthivel Pirabu , Kumar Rajeev , Kairo Arvind , Kumar Rakesh , Thota Ramya
Published: June 2017

Nasal dermoid sinus cysts are uncommon congenital anomalies, presenting either as cysts or sinuses with varied presentation at birth, childhood, or even adulthood. A midline nasal pit, fistula, or infected mass may be located anywhere from the glabella to the nasal columella. Preoperative radiological investigation with CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans is mandatory to rule out intracranial extension. Complete excision of the cyst along with its tract is the only definitive therapeutic modality. We present a case of nasal dermoid sinus cyst in a 3-year-old male child who underwent excision by open rhinoplasty approach.