bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Justice Systems in Latin America: the Challenge of Civil Procedure Reforms
Authors: Campos Santiago Pereira
Published: June 2015

Historically, civil justice has been conceived as a concentration of non–criminal matters, including several heterogeneous procedures, and that is the main reason why it has been subject of study in several countries in Latin America where procedure reforms are being designed, implemented or evaluated. Santiago Pereira Campos examines justice systems in Latin America in collaboration with Alejandra Pírez Ledesma who worked with him on this article.
Queensland Community Legal Centres' Use of Information Technology to Deliver Access to Justice
Authors: Farrell James , Phillips Emma
Published: June 2015

In Queensland, Australia, community legal centres utilise a range of different types of information technology to provide legal advice and assistance to their clients, which include marginalised and disadvantaged groups. In this article Emma Phillips and James Farrell considers the use and efficacy of different types of information technology within the community legal sector, discussing the findings of recent empirical research on this issue in the context of the relevant research literature. The article then explores issues associated with the use of information technology in the provision of legal information and advice, including the limitations associated with this technology in the context of the delivery of legal assistance to vulnerable clients.
Perceptions of the working alliance among medical staff and cancer patients
Authors: Bar-Sela Gil , Mitnik Inbal , Lulav-Grinwald Doron
Published: June 2015

Objective:

A working alliance (WA) is considered an essential factor in therapeutic relationships, relating to the mutual and interactive aspects of the relationship. In the medical setting, a WA has been found to be related to various positive outcomes; however, it has previously been investigated solely from the patient's perspective. The aim of the current study was to measure the concept from both sides of the patient–medical staff interaction.

Method:

Physicians, nurses, and advanced cancer patients completed the Working Alliance Inventory–Short Revised.

Results:

Some 32 physicians, 39 nurses, and 52 advanced cancer patients completed the study. Senior staff members rated the WA higher than trainees, both among physicians and nurses. Physicians and nurses rated the “bonds” subscale highest, while patients rated “goals” at the highest level. In addition, a significant difference was demonstrated between physicians and patients, with patients rating the WA higher.

Conclusions:

These preliminary findings demonstrate different perspectives among advanced cancer patients and medical staff interactions. Future studies should investigate the interactive aspects of the WA concept in the medical setting.

Significance of results:

Awareness of the working alliance in patient–staff interactions may improve the quality of treatment given to patients confronting cancer.
Antipsychotic-induced akathisia in delirium: A systematic review
Authors: Espi Forcen Fernando , Matsoukas Konstantina , Alici Yesne
Published: June 2015

Objective:

Akathisia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by subjective and objective restlessness. It is a common side effect in patients taking antipsychotics and other psychotropics. Patients with delirium are frequently treated with antipsychotic medications that are well known to induce akathisia as a side effect. However, the prevalence, phenomenology, and management of akathisia in patients with delirium remain largely unknown. The purpose of this review was to examine the medical literature in order to establish the current state of knowledge regarding the prevalence of antipsychotic-induced akathisia in patients with delirium.

Method:

A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases. Ten studies addressing the incidence of akathisia in patients taking antipsychotic medication for delirium were identified and included in our review.

Results:

The included studies reported a variable prevalence of antipsychotic-induced akathisia. A higher prevalence was found in patients taking haloperidol. Among atypical antipsychotics, paliperidone and ziprasidone were associated with a higher risk of akathisia. The risk for akathisia appeared to be a dose-related phenomenon.

Significance of results:

Studies using specific scales for evaluation of akathisia in delirium are lacking. Some populations, such as patients with cancer or terminally ill patients in palliative care settings taking antipsychotics for the treatment of delirium, could be at higher risk for development of akathisia as a side effect.
Global commerce in small boxes: parcel post, 1878–1913
Authors: Laborie Léonard
Published: June 2015

Even if the high-tech and ‘revolutionary’ electric telegraph has become a favourite topic for communication historians dealing with global history, it cannot alone epitomize the first modern age of globalization. The postal network, and parcel post in particular, was also a key agent of globalization. In 1880, several Universal Postal Union member states signed a convention for the exchange of parcel post, opening a new channel in the world of commerce. By the end of the nineteenth century, millions of packets poured into post offices and railway stations, crossed countries, and created all sorts of transnational connections, from family to business to humanitarian relations. Behind the ordinary, seemingly low-tech small boxes lay a sophisticated service that emerged from transnational dynamics, challenged both national and international commercial circuits, and produced more complex control of economic borders.
First record of the commensal porcelain crab, Neopetrolisthes spinatus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Porcellanidae), from India
Authors: Kumaralingam S. , Raghunathan C. , Venkataraman K.
Published: June 2015

The porcellanid crab,Neopetrolisthes spinatusOsawa & Fujita, 2001, is reported from Rutland Island, south Andaman Islands. The specimen represents the first record of the poorly known species from Indian waters and was collected from a large sea anemoneHeteractis crispa(Hemprich & Ehrenberg in Ehrenberg, 1834).
Two sea cucumber species (Holothuria bacilli and H. insignis): first record from the Persian Gulf
Authors: Afkhami Majid , Ehsanpour Maryam , Nasrolahi Ali
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we record the occurrence for the first time of two sea cucumber species from the Persian Gulf (Hormuz Island). Sea cucumber samples were collected in the sub-tidal zone of the island during low tide. Species identification was accomplished using morphological keys and a review of their ossicles. The collected specimens provide evidence thatHolothuria bacilliandHolothuria insignisare present in the Persian Gulf waters.
Prevalence of mental disorders at admission to the penal justice system in emerging countries: a study from Chile
Authors: Mundt A. P. , Kastner S. , Larraín S. , Fritsch R. , Priebe S.
Published: June 2015

Background.

Previous mental health surveys conducted in prisons within emerging countries recruited samples of all prisoners at any single point in time. However, this sampling strategy results in an overrepresentation of long-term prisoners as compared with those studies recruiting from all admissions over time. This study aimed to assess mental disorders in consecutively admitted prisoners soon after admission, in order to address service needs of people with short-term imprisonments and people at early stages of imprisonment.

Method.

Disorders were assessed in a sample of 229 male and 198 female prisoners, consecutively committed to the penal justice system in Santiago de Chile, using the structured Mini-Neuropsychiatric interview. Prevalence rates were calculated as per cent values. Ninety-five per cent confidence intervals were calculated for the proportions.

Results.

Illicit drug and/or alcohol use disorders in the year prior to admission were present in 173 (76%) male and 64 (32%) female prisoners. The substances most frequently causing addiction were cocaine-based products in 108 (47%) male and 42 (21%) female prisoners. Current major depression was present in 124 (54%) male and 86 (43%) female prisoners, and current non-affective psychotic disorders in 18 (8%) male and in 10 (5%) female prisoners. High suicidal risk was present in 64 (28%) male prisoners and in 29 (15%) female prisoners.

Conclusion.

When consecutive prisoners are assessed at admission, rates of mental health and substance use disorders were higher than in previous studies in emerging countries that had sampled from all existing prisoners at a time. Affective disorders and suicide risk appear more prevalent than in admission studies conducted in Western high-income countries. Previous research may have systematically underestimated the extent of mental health problems in prisoners, which poses a major public health challenge in emerging countries.
Sharing in Private and Public Situations: does this really Matter for Children?
Authors: Sampaio Leonardo Rodrigues , Neto Pires Michelle Franca Dourado
Published: June 2015

The goal of the present study was to examine the influence of social context in young children’s sharing behavior. Sixty-three children, aged between 3 and 8 years, participated in a dictator game in which they were requested to distribute stickers between themselves and an anonymous child. Results showed that the quantities the participants expected to receive were greater than those which were distributed to the others, t(63) = –6, 28, p < .01. Moreover, older participants shared more stickers when they were being observed than when they allocated stickers alone (p = .001, ηp2 = .30). It is believed that increasing age leads to a greater respect for the societal rule of equity. These results are discussed in light of previous studies on sharing behavior during childhood.
Information-Seeking on the Internet
Authors: Singaravelu Vinod , Stewart Anne , Adams Joanna , Simkin Sue , Hawton Keith
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Background: The Internet is used by young people at risk of self-harm to communicate, find information, and obtain support. Aims: We aimed to identify and analyze websites potentially accessed by these young people. Method: Six search terms, relating to self-harm/suicide and depression, were input into four search engines. Websites were analyzed for access, content/purpose, and tone. Results: In all, 314 websites were included in the analysis. Most could be accessed without restriction. Sites accessed by self-harm/suicide search terms were mostly positive or preventive in tone, whereas sites accessed by the term ways to kill yourself tended to have a negative tone. Information about self-harm methods was common with specific advice on how to self-harm in 15.8% of sites, encouragement of self-harm in 7.0%, and evocative images of self-harm/suicide in 20.7%. Advice on how to get help was given in 56.1% of sites. Conclusion: Websites relating to suicide or self-harm are easily accessed. Many sites are potentially helpful. However, a significant proportion of sites are potentially harmful through normalizing or encouraging self-harm. Enquiry regarding Internet use should be routinely included while assessing young people at risk.
Macho Nachos
Authors: Zhu Luke (Lei) , Brescoll Victoria L. , Newman George E. , Uhlmann Eric Luis
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The present studies examine how culturally held stereotypes about gender (that women eat more healthfully than men) implicitly influence food preferences. In Study 1, priming masculinity led both male and female participants to prefer unhealthy foods, while priming femininity led both male and female participants to prefer healthy foods. Study 2 extended these effects to gendered food packaging. When the packaging and healthiness of the food were gender schema congruent (i.e., feminine packaging for a healthy food, masculine packaging for an unhealthy food) both male and female participants rated the product as more attractive, said that they would be more likely to purchase it, and even rated it as tasting better compared to when the product was stereotype incongruent. In Study 3, packaging that explicitly appealed to gender stereotypes (“The muffin for real men”) reversed the schema congruity effect, but only among participants who scored high in psychological reactance.
People Judge Male Sexism More Leniently When Women Emasculate	Men
Authors: Michniewicz Kenneth S. , Vandello Joseph A.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. While overt sexism has become less acceptable in recent years, sexism frequently goes unchallenged by observers for a variety of reasons. In the present investigation, we propose that people may excuse men’s sexist remarks when the remarks follow a manhood threat caused by a woman. In Study 1, we found that a man’s sexist remark buffered against the emasculating effect of a threat to his masculinity from an ex-girlfriend. In Study 2, we further show that observers excuse a man’s sexist remark following a competitive loss to a woman to the extent that they perceive him as less manly as a result. We replicate this finding in Study 3 while ruling out two competing explanations. We discuss the implication that sexism prevention efforts need to identify and address gender-related contexts where sexism is excused in order for efforts to move toward its prevention.
Atomically thin resonant tunnel diodes built from synthetic van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Lin Yu-Chuan , Ghosh Ram Krishna , Addou Rafik , Lu Ning , Eichfeld Sarah M. , Zhu Hui , Li Ming-Yang , Peng Xin , Kim Moon J. , Li Lain-Jong , Wallace Robert M. , Datta Suman , Robinson Joshua A.
Published: June 2015

Vertical integration of two-dimensional van der Waals materials is predicted to lead to novel electronic and optical properties not found in the constituent layers. Here, we present the direct synthesis of two unique, atomically thin, multi-junction heterostructures by combining graphene with the monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides: molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) and tungsten diselenide (WSe2). The realization of MoS2–WSe2–graphene and WSe2–MoS2–graphene heterostructures leads to resonant tunnelling in an atomically thin stack with spectrally narrow, room temperature negative differential resistance characteristics.
Probing deformed commutators with macroscopic harmonic oscillators
Authors: Bawaj Mateusz , Biancofiore Ciro , Bonaldi Michele , Bonfigli Federica , Borrielli Antonio , Di Giuseppe Giovanni , Marconi Lorenzo , Marino Francesco , Natali Riccardo , Pontin Antonio , Prodi Giovanni A. , Serra Enrico , Vitali David , Marin Francesco
Published: June 2015

A minimal observable length is a common feature of theories that aim to merge quantum physics and gravity. Quantum mechanically, this concept is associated with a nonzero minimal uncertainty in position measurements, which is encoded in deformed commutation relations. In spite of increasing theoretical interest, the subject suffers from the complete lack of dedicated experiments and bounds to the deformation parameters have just been extrapolated from indirect measurements. As recently proposed, low-energy mechanical oscillators could allow to reveal the effect of a modified commutator. Here we analyze the free evolution of high-quality factor micro- and nano-oscillators, spanning a wide range of masses around the Planck mass mP (≈22 μg). The direct check against a model of deformed dynamics substantially lowers the previous limits on the parameters quantifying the commutator deformation.
Characterizing Social Interaction in Tobacco-Oriented Social Networks: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Liang Yunji , Zheng Xiaolong , Zeng Daniel Dajun , Zhou Xingshe , Leischow Scott James , Chung Wingyan
Published: June 2015

Social media is becoming a new battlefield for tobacco “wars”. Evaluating the current situation is very crucial for the advocacy of tobacco control in the age of social media. To reveal the impact of tobacco-related user-generated content, this paper characterizes user interaction and social influence utilizing social network analysis and information theoretic approaches. Our empirical studies demonstrate that the exploding pro-tobacco content has long-lasting effects with more active users and broader influence and reveal the shortage of social media resources in global tobacco control. It is found that the user interaction in the pro-tobacco group is more active and user-generated content for tobacco promotion is more successful in obtaining user attention. Furthermore, we construct three tobacco-related social networks and investigate the topological patterns of these tobacco-related social networks. We find that the size of the pro-tobacco network overwhelms the others, which suggests a huge number of users are exposed to the pro-tobacco content. These results indicate that the gap between tobacco promotion and tobacco control is widening and tobacco control may be losing ground to tobacco promotion in social media.
Electric Pulse Stimulation of Myotubes as an In Vitro Exercise Model: Cell-Mediated and Non-Cell-Mediated Effects
Authors: Evers-van Gogh Inkie J.A. , Alex Sheril , Stienstra Rinke , Brenkman Arjan B. , Kersten Sander , Kalkhoven Eric
Published: June 2015

Regular exercise has emerged as one of the best therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat type-2-diabetes. Exercise-induced changes in the muscle secretome, consisting of myokines and metabolites, may underlie the inter-organ communication between muscle and other organs. To investigate this crosstalk, we developed an in vitro system in which mouse C2C12 myotubes underwent electric pulse stimulation (EPS) to induce contraction. Subsequently the effects of EPS-conditioned media (EPS-CM) on hepatocytes were investigated. Here, we demonstrate that EPS-CM induces Metallothionein 1/2 and Slc30a2 gene expression and reduces Cyp2a3 gene expression in rat hepatocytes. When testing EPS-CM that was generated in the absence of C2C12 myotubes (non-cell EPS-CM) no decrease in Cyp2a3 expression was detected. However, similar inductions in hepatic Mt1/2 and Slc30a2 expression were observed. Non-cell EPS-CM were also applied to C2C12 myotubes and compared to C2C12 myotubes that underwent EPS: here changes in AMPK phosphorylation and myokine secretion largely depended on EPS-induced contraction. Taken together, these findings indicate that EPS can alter C2C12 myotube function and thereby affect gene expression in cells subjected to EPS-CM (Cyp2a3). However, EPS can also generate non-cell-mediated changes in cell culture media, which can affect gene expression in cells subjected to EPS-CM too. While EPS clearly represents a valuable tool in exercise research, care should be taken in experimental design to control for non-cell-mediated effects.
Violacein as a genetically-controlled, enzymatically amplified and photobleaching-resistant chromophore for optoacoustic bacterial imaging
Authors: Jiang Yuanyuan , Sigmund Felix , Reber Josefine , Luís Deán-Ben Xosé , Glasl Sarah , Kneipp Moritz , Estrada Héctor , Razansky Daniel , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Westmeyer Gil G.
Published: June 2015

There is growing interest in genetically expressed reporters for in vivo studies of bacterial colonization in the context of infectious disease research, studies of the bacterial microbiome or cancer imaging and treatment. To empower non-invasive high-resolution bacterial tracking with deep tissue penetration, we herein use the genetically controlled biosynthesis of the deep-purple pigment Violacein as a photobleaching-resistant chromophore label for in vivo optoacoustic (photoacoustic) imaging in the near-infrared range. We demonstrate that Violacein-producing bacteria can be imaged with high contrast-to-noise in strongly vascularized xenografted murine tumors and further observe that Violacein shows anti-tumoral activity. Our experiments thus identify Violacein as a robust bacterial label for non-invasive optoacoustic imaging with high potential for basic research and future theranostic applications in bacterial tumor targeting.
Tuneable Magnetic Phase Transitions in Layered CeMn2Ge2-xSix Compounds
Authors: Md Din M. F. , Wang J. L. , Cheng Z. X. , Dou S. X. , Kennedy S. J. , Avdeev M. , Campbell S. J.
Published: June 2015

The structural and magnetic properties of seven CeMn2Ge2-xSix compounds with x = 0.0–2.0 have been investigated in detail. Substitution of Ge with Si leads to a monotonic decrease of both a and c along with concomitant contraction of the unit cell volume and significant modifications of the magnetic states - a crossover from ferromagnetism at room temperature for Ge-rich compounds to antiferromagnetism for Si-rich compounds. The magnetic phase diagram has been constructed over the full range of CeMn2Ge2-xSix compositions and co-existence of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism has been observed in CeMn2Ge1.2Si0.8, CeMn2Ge1.0Si1.0 and CeMn2Ge0.8Si1.2 with novel insight provided by high resolution neutron and X-ray synchrotron radiation studies. CeMn2Ge2-xSix compounds (x = 0, 0.4 and 0.8) exhibit moderate isothermal magnetic entropy accompanied with a second-order phase transition around room temperature. Analysis of critical behaviour in the vicinity of TCinter for CeMn2Ge2 compound indicates behaviour consistent with three-dimensional Heisenberg model predictions.
Novel small-molecule SIRT1 inhibitors induce cell death in adult T-cell leukaemia cells
Authors: Kozako Tomohiro , Suzuki Takayoshi , Yoshimitsu Makoto , Uchida Yuichiro , Kuroki Ayako , Aikawa Akiyoshi , Honda Shin-ichiro , Arima Naomichi , Soeda Shinji
Published: June 2015

Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL) is an aggressive T-cell malignancy that develops after long-term infection with human T-cell leukaemia virus (HTLV)-1. The identification of new molecular targets for ATL prevention and treatment is desired. SIRT1, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide+ -dependent histone/protein deacetylase, plays crucial roles in various physiological processes, including aging and apoptosis. We previously reported that ATL patients had significantly higher SIRT1 protein levels than healthy controls. Here, we demonstrate that two novel small-molecule SIRT1 inhibitors, NCO-01/04, reduced cell viability and enhanced apoptotic cells in peripheral blood monocyte cells of patients with acute ATL, which has a poor prognosis. NCO-01/04 also reduced the cell viability with DNA fragmentation, Annexin V-positive cells and caspase activation. However, a caspase inhibitor did not inhibit this caspase-dependent cell death. NCO-01/04 enhanced the endonuclease G level in the nucleus with loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, which can promote caspase-independent death. Interestingly, NCO-01/04 increased the LC3-II-enriched protein fraction, indicating autophagosome accumulation as well as autophagy. Thus, NCO-01/04 simultaneously caused caspase activation and autophagy. These results suggest that NCO-01/04 is highly effective against ATL cells in caspase-dependent or -independent manners with autophagy and that its clinical application might improve the prognosis of patients with this fatal disease.
Validation of the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10): A study on illicit drug use among Chinese pregnant women
Authors: Lam Lap Po , Leung Wing Cheong , Ip Patrick , Chow Chun Bong , Chan Mei Fung , Ng Judy Wai Ying , Sing Chu , Lam Ying Hoo , Mak Wing Lai Tony , Chow Kam Ming , Chin Robert Kien Howe
Published: June 2015

We assessed the Chinese version of the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10) for identifying illicit drug use during pregnancy among Chinese population. Chinese pregnant women attending their first antenatal visit or their first unbooked visit to the maternity ward were recruited during a 4-month study period in 2011. The participants completed self-administered questionnaires on demographic information, a single question on illicit drug use during pregnancy and the DAST-10. Urine samples screened positive by the urine Point-of-Care Test were confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. DAST-10 performance was compared with three different gold standards: urinalysis, self-reported drug use and evidence of drug use by urinalysis or self-report. 1214 Chinese pregnant women participated in the study and 1085 complete DAST-10 forms were collected. Women who had used illicit drugs had significantly different DAST-10 scores than those who had not. The sensitivity of DAST-10 for identify illicit drug use in pregnant women ranged from 79.2% to 33.3% and specificity ranged from 67.7% to 99.7% using cut-off scores from ≥1 to ≥3. The ~80% sensitivity of DAST-10 using a cut-off score of ≥1 should be sufficient for screening of illicit drug use in Chinese pregnant women, but validation tests for drug use are needed.
In Silico Prediction and Experimental Confirmation of HA Residues Conferring Enhanced Human Receptor Specificity of H5N1 Influenza A Viruses
Authors: Schmier Sonja , Mostafa Ahmed , Haarmann Thomas , Bannert Norbert , Ziebuhr John , Veljkovic Veljko , Dietrich Ursula , Pleschka Stephan
Published: June 2015

Newly emerging influenza A viruses (IAV) pose a major threat to human health by causing seasonal epidemics and/or pandemics, the latter often facilitated by the lack of pre-existing immunity in the general population. Early recognition of candidate pandemic influenza viruses (CPIV) is of crucial importance for restricting virus transmission and developing appropriate therapeutic and prophylactic strategies including effective vaccines. Often, the pandemic potential of newly emerging IAV is only fully recognized once the virus starts to spread efficiently causing serious disease in humans. Here, we used a novel phylogenetic algorithm based on the informational spectrum method (ISM) to identify potential CPIV by predicting mutations in the viral hemagglutinin (HA) gene that are likely to (differentially) affect critical interactions between the HA protein and target cells from bird and human origin, respectively. Predictions were subsequently validated by generating pseudotyped retrovirus particles and genetically engineered IAV containing these mutations and characterizing potential effects on virus entry and replication in cells expressing human and avian IAV receptors, respectively. Our data suggest that the ISM-based algorithm is suitable to identify CPIV among IAV strains that are circulating in animal hosts and thus may be a new tool for assessing pandemic risks associated with specific strains.
Carbon accumulation in arid croplands of northwest China: pedogenic carbonate exceeding organic carbon
Authors: Wang Xiujun , Wang Jiaping , Xu Minggang , Zhang Wenju , Fan Tinglu , Zhang Juan
Published: June 2015

Soil carbonate (SIC) exceeds organic carbon (SOC) greatly in arid lands, thus may be important for carbon sequestration. However, field data for quantifying carbonate accumulation have been lacking. This study aims to improve our understanding of SIC dynamics and its role in carbon sequestration. We analyzed two datasets of SOC and SIC and their 13C compositions , one with over 100 soil samples collected recently from various land uses in the Yanqi Basin, Xinjiang and the other with 18 archived soil samples from a long-term experiment (LTE) in Pingliang, Gansu. The data from the Yanqi Basin showed that SOC had a significant relationship with SIC and pedogenic carbonate (PIC); converting shrub land to cropland increased PIC stock by 5.2 kg C m−2, which was 3.6 times of that in SOC stock. The data from the LTE showed greater accumulation of PIC (21–49 g C m−2 year−1) than SOC (10–39 g C m−2 year−1) over 0–20 cm. Our study points out that intensive cropping in the arid and semi-arid regions leads to an increase in both SOC and PIC. Increasing SOC through straw organic amendments enhances PIC accumulation in the arid cropland of northwestern China.
Preclinical optimization of a broad-spectrum anti-bladder cancer tri-drug regimen via the Feedback System Control (FSC) platform
Authors: Liu Qi , Zhang Cheng , Ding Xianting , Deng Hui , Zhang Daming , Cui Wei , Xu Hongwei , Wang Yingwei , Xu Wanhai , Lv Lei , Zhang Hongyu , He Yinghua , Wu Qiong , Szyf Moshe , Ho Chih-Ming , Zhu Jingde
Published: June 2015

Therapeutic outcomes of combination chemotherapy have not significantly advanced during the past decades. This has been attributed to the formidable challenges of optimizing drug combinations. Testing a matrix of all possible combinations of doses and agents in a single cell line is unfeasible due to the virtually infinite number of possibilities. We utilized the Feedback System Control (FSC) platform, a phenotype oriented approach to test 100 options among 15,625 possible combinations in four rounds of assaying to identify an optimal tri-drug combination in eight distinct chemoresistant bladder cancer cell lines. This combination killed between 82.86% and 99.52% of BCa cells, but only 47.47% of the immortalized benign bladder epithelial cells. Preclinical in vivo verification revealed its markedly enhanced anti-tumor efficacy as compared to its bi- or mono-drug components in cell line-derived tumor xenografts. The collective response of these pathways to component drugs was both cell type- and drug type specific. However, the entire spectrum of pathways triggered by the tri-drug regimen was similar in all four cancer cell lines, explaining its broad spectrum killing of BCa lines, which did not occur with its component drugs. Our findings here suggest that the FSC platform holdspromise for optimization of anti-cancer combination chemotherapy.
Diffusive Propagation of Exciton-Polaritons through Thin Crystal Slabs
Authors: Zaitsev D. A. , Il’ynskaya N. D. , Koudinov A. V. , Poletaev N. K. , Nikitina E. V. , Egorov A. Yu. , Kavokin A. V. , Seisyan R. P.
Published: June 2015

If light beam propagates through matter containing point impurity centers, the amount of energy absorbed by the media is expected to be either independent of the impurity concentration N or proportional to N, corresponding to the intrinsic absorption or impurity absorption, respectively. Comparative studies of the resonant transmission of light in the vicinity of exciton resonances measured for 15 few-micron GaAs crystal slabs with different values of N, reveal a surprising tendency. While N spans almost five decimal orders of magnitude, the normalized spectrally-integrated absorption of light scales with the impurity concentration as N1/6. We show analytically that this dependence is a signature of the diffusive mechanism of propagation of exciton-polaritons in a semiconductor.
Intersubband Transition in GaN/InGaN Multiple Quantum Wells
Authors: Chen G. , Wang X. Q. , Rong X. , Wang P. , Xu F. J. , Tang N. , Qin Z. X. , Chen Y. H. , Shen B.
Published: June 2015

Utilizing the growth temperature controlled epitaxy, high quality GaN/In0.15Ga0.85N multiple quantum wells designed for intersubband transition (ISBT) as novel candidates in III-nitride infrared device applications have been experimentally realized for the first time. Photo-absorption originated from the ISBT has been successfully observed at infrared regime covering the 3–5 μm atmosphere window, where the central absorption wavelength is modulated by adjusting the quantum well width. With increasing the quantum well thickness, the ISBT center wave length blue shifts at thickness less than 2.8 nm and then redshifts with further increase of the well thickness. The non-monotonic trend is most likely due to the polarization induced asymmetric shape of the quantum wells.
Generation of inheritable and “transgene clean” targeted genome-modified rice in later generations using the CRISPR/Cas9 system
Authors: Xu Rong-Fang , Li Hao , Qin Rui-Ying , Li Juan , Qiu Chun-Hong , Yang Ya-Chun , Ma Hui , Li Li , Wei Peng-Cheng , Yang Jian-Bo
Published: June 2015

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is becoming an important genome editing tool for crop breeding. Although it has been demonstrated that target mutations can be transmitted to the next generation, their inheritance pattern has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we describe the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing of four different rice genes with the help of online target-design tools. High-frequency mutagenesis and a large percentage of putative biallelic mutations were observed in T0 generations. Nonetheless, our results also indicate that the progeny genotypes of biallelic T0 lines are frequently difficult to predict and that the transmission of mutations largely does not conform to classical genetic laws, which suggests that the mutations in T0 transgenic rice are mainly somatic mutations. Next, we followed the inheritance pattern of T1 plants. Regardless of the presence of the CRISPR/Cas9 transgene, the mutations in T1 lines were stably transmitted to later generations, indicating a standard germline transmission pattern. Off-target effects were also evaluated and our results indicate that with careful target selection, off-target mutations are rare in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated rice gene editing. Taken together, our results indicate the promising production of inheritable and “transgene clean” targeted genome-modified rice in the T1 generation using the CRISPR/Cas9 system.
A simple dual online ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography system (sDO-UHPLC) for high throughput proteome analysis
Authors: Lee Hangyeore , Mun Dong-Gi , Bae Jingi , Kim Hokeun , Oh Se Yeon , Park Young Soo , Lee Jae-Hyuk , Lee Sang-Won
Published: June 2015

A new and simple design of a fully automated dual-online ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography system for high throughput deep proteome profiling and high throughput MRM experiments.
Advances in ion mobility-mass spectrometry instrumentation and techniques for characterizing structural heterogeneity
Authors: Maurer Megan M. , Donohoe Gregory C. , Valentine Stephen J.
Published: June 2015

Enabling IM-MS instrumentation and techniques for characterizing sample structural heterogeneity have developed rapidly over the last five years.
The isomeric effect of mercaptobenzoic acids on the preparation and fluorescence properties of copper nanoclusters
Authors: Lin Yi-Jyun , Chen Po-Cheng , Yuan Zhiqin , Ma Jia-Ying , Chang Huan-Tsung
Published: June 2015

Copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) aggregates prepared from copper nitrate and mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) isomers show differential optical properties.
Plasmonic swings during the Fenton reaction: catalytic sensing of organics in water via fullerene-decorated gold nanoparticles
Authors: Wei Zheng-Nan , Mo Zhi-Hong , Pu Xiao-Li , Xu Yi-Chong
Published: June 2015

A sensor for organics in water was developed by the plasmonic swings of gold acting as catalysts of the Fenton process.
Achieving high power efficiency and low roll-off OLEDs based on energy transfer from thermally activated delayed excitons to fluorescent dopants
Authors: Wang Shipan , Zhang Yuewei , Chen Weiping , Wei Jinbei , Liu Yu , Wang Yue
Published: June 2015

A high-efficiency fluorescent organic light-emitting device with a maximum external power efficiency (PE) of 53.4 lm W−1was fabricated through efficient triplet energy transfer from a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) host to conventional fluorescent dopants.
Atomic decomposition of conceptual DFT descriptors: application to proton transfer reactions
Authors: Inostroza-Rivera Ricardo , Yahia-Ouahmed Meziane , Tognetti Vincent , Joubert Laurent , Herrera Bárbara , Toro-Labbé Alejandro
Published: June 2015

We present an atomic decomposition of the molecular energy, reaction force and reaction flux, which is based on Bader's atoms-in-molecules theory.
An unprecedented up-field shift in the 13C NMR spectrum of the carboxyl carbons of the lantern-type dinuclear complex TBA[Ru2(O2CCH3)4Cl2] (TBA+ = tetra(n-butyl)ammonium cation)
Authors: Hiraoka Yuya , Ikeue Takahisa , Sakiyama Hiroshi , Guégan Frédéric , Luneau Dominique , Gillon Béatrice , Hiromitsu Ichiro , Yoshioka Daisuke , Mikuriya Masahiro , Kataoka Yusuke , Handa Makoto
Published: June 2015

A remarkable up-field shift was found for the carboxyl carbons of TBA[Ru2(O2CCH3)4Cl2] in the 13C NMR spectrum.
Synthesis of Ir(iii) complexes with TpMe2 and acac ligands and their reactivity with electrophiles
Authors: Morales-Cerón Judith P. , Salazar-Pereda Verónica , Mendoza-Espinosa Daniel , Alvarado-Rodríguez José G. , Cruz-Borbolla Julián , Andrade-López Noemí , Vásquez-Pérez José M.
Published: June 2015

Reaction of 1 with an excess of 2,4-pentanedione produced a mixture of complexes (6), (7) and (8). Complex 6 was treated with electrophiles yielding the substituted products in good yields.
Fluorination on both D and A units in D–A type conjugated copolymers based on difluorobithiophene and benzothiadiazole for highly efficient polymer solar cells
Authors: Jo Jea Woong , Jung Jae Woong , Jung Eui Hyuk , Ahn Hyungju , Shin Tae Joo , Jo Won Ho
Published: June 2015

The optimization of the number of fluorine substitution in D–A polymers composed of difluorobithiophene and benzothiadiazole reveals that the polymer with mono-fluorinated benzothiadiazole exhibits a PCE of 9.14%.
Annealing-free highly crystalline solution-processed molecular metal oxides for efficient single-junction and tandem polymer solar cells
Authors: Vasilopoulou Maria , Polydorou Ermioni , Douvas Antonios M. , Palilis Leonidas C. , Kennou Stella , Argitis Panagiotis
Published: June 2015

The compatibility of polyoxometalates as hole extraction layers in single-junction organic photovoltaics and as recombination layers in polymer tandem cells is demonstrated.
Determination of halogens and sulfur in pitch from crude oil by plasma-based techniques after microwave-induced combustion
Authors: Pereira Leticia S. F. , Frohlich Angelica C. , Duarte Fabio A. , Burrow Robert A. , Muller Edson I. , Flores Erico M. M.
Published: June 2015

A sample preparation method for pitch digestion using microwave-induced combustion for further determination of halogens by ICP-MS and sulfur by ICP-OES.
Development of halogen-free flame retardant phosphazene and rice husk ash incorporated benzoxazine blended epoxy composites for microelectronic applications
Authors: Krishnadevi Krishnamoorthy , Selvaraj Vaithilingam
Published: June 2015

Amine terminated cyclophosphazene and functionalized rice husk ash incorporated benzoxazine based epoxy (ATCP/FRHA/Bz-Ep) composites.
Synthesis, structures, luminescent and molecular recognition properties of three new alkaline earth metal carboxyphosphonates with a 3D supramolecular structure
Authors: Luo Hui , Ma Chao , Jiao Cheng-Qi , Sun Zhen-Gang , Sun Tong , Ma Ming-Xue , Zhu Yan-Yu , Li Wen-Zhu , Wang Mei-Ling , Zhang Xiao-Wen
Published: June 2015

Three new alkaline earth metal carboxyphosphonates with a 3D supramolecular structure, namely, Ca[(H3L)(H2O)] (1), Sr[(H3L)(H2O)2] (2) and Ba2[(H3L)2(H2O)4] (3) have been hydrothermally synthesized. The luminescent and molecular recognition properties of compounds1–3were investigated.
High Tg fluoranthene-based electron transport materials for organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Kumar Shiv , Patil Satish
Published: June 2015

Fluoranthene-based thermally stable electron transport materials for organic light-emitting diodes were synthesized and their performance in devices was investigated.
PMoA/MCM-41 catalyzed aza-Michael reaction: special effects of mesoporous nanoreactor on chemical equilibrium and reaction rate through surface energy transformation
Authors: Fan Kui , Hui Yonghai , Hu Xinmei , Shi Wei , Pang Haixia , Xie Zhengfeng
Published: June 2015

Nanoreactors as catalysts can affect not only speed but also the chemical equilibrium of the reaction under investigation.
Hierarchical nanostructured WO3–SnO2for selective sensing of volatile organic compounds
Authors: Nayak Arpan Kumar , Ghosh Ruma , Santra Sumita , Guha Prasanta Kumar , Pradhan Debabrata
Published: June 2015

WO3–SnO2mixed oxide is demonstrated to be a suitable sensing material for volatile organic compounds, with much improved sensitivity and selectivity.
Elastic properties of van der Waals epitaxy grown bismuth telluride 2D nanosheets
Authors: Guo Lingling , Yan Haoming , Moore Quentarius , Buettner Michael , Song Jinhui , Li Lin , Araujo Paulo T. , Wang Hung-Ta
Published: June 2015

Mechanical properties of Bi2Te3 2D nanosheets (5–14 QLs) were investigated and the Young's modulus (18.7 ± 7.0 GPa) was found to be much less than that of bulk Bi2Te3.
Defect-free zinc-blende structured InAs nanowires realized by in situ two V/III ratio growth in molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Lu Zhen-Yu , Chen Ping-Ping , Lu Wei , Zou Jin
Published: June 2015

A two-V/III-ratio process to control the growth of pure defect-free zinc-blende structured InAs nanowires.
Paleo-soraphens: chemical total syntheses and biological studies
Authors: Lu Hai-Hua , Hinkelmann Bettina , Tautz Thomas , Li Jun , Sasse Florenz , Franke Raimo , Kalesse Markus
Published: June 2015

To provide a picture of the hypothetical evolutionary optimization of soraphen four additional paleo-soraphens and their biological profiles are described.
High-affinity host–guest complex of cucurbit[7]uril with a bis(thiazolium) salt
Authors: Li Shengke , Miao Xiaoqing , Wyman Ian W. , Li Ye , Zheng Ying , Wang Yitao , Macartney Donal H. , Wang Ruibing
Published: June 2015

The stability of a bis(thiazolium) dication was improved upon inclusion by cucurbit[7]uril, as demonstrated by the slowed-down C(2)-H/D exchange.
A vapor phase adsorptive desulfurization process for producing ultra low sulphur diesel using NiY zeolite as a regenerable adsorbent
Authors: Dasgupta S. , Divekar S. , Arya A. , Gupta P. , Chauhan R. , Bhadauria S. , Hanif A. , Garg M. O. , Nanoti A.
Published: June 2015

A NiY zeolite based vapor phase adsorptive desulfurization process has been described which can bring down sulphur concentration of a commercial BS IV grade (Euro IV equivalent) diesel from 50 ppm to a <5 ppm level.
Hybrid nanostructures of mixed-phase TiO2 for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Huang Wenbin , Wang Xuyue , Xue Yali , Yang Yang , Ao Xianyu
Published: June 2015

Rutile nanorods are grown on the anatase nanotubes to enhance the photocurrent density in photocatalytic water splitting.
Submicron peanut-like MnCO3 as an anode material for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Cao Zhaoxia , Ding Yanmin , Zhang Jun , Wang Qiuxian , Shi Zhenpu , Huo Ningning , Yang Shuting
Published: June 2015

Submicron peanut-like MnCO3 is prepared by a facile homogeneous precipitation and delivers better electrochemical performance as an anode material for lithium ion battery.
Structural study of hybrid silica bilayers from “bola-amphiphile” organosilane precursors: catalytic and thermal effects
Authors: Besnard Romain , Arrachart Guilhem , Cambedouzou Julien , Pellet-Rostaing Stéphane
Published: June 2015

Hybrid materials obtained upon acid or base-catalyzed hydrolytic condensation of bola-amphiphile organosilanes were carefully analysed by several experimental techniques.
Novel thermo-responsive hydrogel microspheres with calixcrown host molecules as cross-links for highly specific binding and controllable release of cesium
Authors: Yi Rong , Ye Gang , Lv Dachao , Chen Jing
Published: June 2015

Novel thermo-responsive hydrogel microspheres containing calixcrown molecules as covalent cross-links for highly-specific binding and thermo-triggered release of cesium in seawater.
Influence of PCL molecular weight on mesenchymal stromal cell differentiation
Authors: Hendrikson W. J. , Rouwkema J. , van Blitterswijk C. A. , Moroni L.
Published: June 2015

The molecular weight of polycaprolactone was varied to investigate its effect on stem cell activity. Results showed that polymer molecular weight is an additional parameter to consider when designing scaffolds for skeletal regeneration.
Direct covalent bond formation between materials using copper(i)-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition reactions
Authors: Sekine Tomoko , Takashima Yoshinori , Harada Akira
Published: June 2015

Bondings between polymeric materials and between polymeric materials and inorganic glass substrates have been achieved using the CuAAC reaction.
Modulating carrier transfer ability—linker effect on thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione based conjugated polymers
Authors: Qing Wanmei , Liu Zitong , Yang Sifen , Tan Luxi , Yang Yang , Zhang Daijun , Li Jing
Published: June 2015

Introduction of a vinyl linkage in a thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione based conjugated polymer results in an electron mobility increase while the ethynylene-linked polymer shows ambipolar performances in air condition.
Experimental and theoretical studies on the corrosion inhibition performance of 4-amino-N,N-di-(2-pyridylmethyl)-aniline on mild steel in hydrochloric acid
Authors: Xu Bin , Ji Yan , Zhang Xueqiong , Jin Xiaodong , Yang Wenzhong , Chen Yizhong
Published: June 2015

Evaluate the inhibition properties of a pyridine derivative with more than one pyridine ring, 4-amino-N,N-di-(2-pyridylmethyl)-aniline, on mild steel in HCl.
Alkyl mono- and di-glucoside sugar vesicles as potential drug delivery vehicles: detecting drug release using fluorescence
Authors: Salim Malinda , Abou-Zied Osama K. , Kulathunga H. Udani , Baskaran Asweni , Kuppusamy Umah R. , Hashim Rauzah
Published: June 2015

This work evaluates and compares alkyl mono- and di-glucoside sugar vesicles as potential delivery vehicles for small hydrophilic compounds.
Potential of hyphenated ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-scheduled multiple reaction monitoring algorithm for large-scale quantitative analysis of traditional Chinese medicines
Authors: Song Qingqing , Song Yuelin , Zhang Na , Li Jun , Jiang Yong , Zhang Kerong , Zhang Qian , Tu Pengfei
Published: June 2015

The combination of a core–shell ADME column with a sMRM algorithm offers the potential for large-scale quantitative analysis of the components in TCMs by providing not only high quality quantitative signals but also reliable MS2 spectra.
Carbon nanospheres as an anode material for lithium ion batteries with excellent rate capability
Authors: Cui Chaojun , Sun Xingchuan , Li Xianchang , Li Chengbo , Niu Yongsheng
Published: June 2015

Carbon nanospheres (CNSs) are prepared with natural gas as a carbon source.
BiOBr photocatalyzed decarboxylation of glutamic acid: reaction rates, intermediates and mechanism
Authors: Fang Yanfen , Yang Hongwei , Zhou Wei , Li Yue , Johnson David M. , Huang Yingping
Published: June 2015

BiOBr-photocatalyzed degradation of glutamic acid starts from the direct oxidation of the amino-carboxyl end and leads initially to succinic acid. Both the O-atoms from O2 and H2O incorporate into this product.
Molecularly imprinted polymer-based sensors for atrazine detection by electropolymerization of o-phenylenediamine
Authors: Li Xiao , He Yanfen , Zhao Fan , Zhang Weiying , Ye Zhuoliang
Published: June 2015

A sensitive and selective atrazine (ATZ) electrochemical sensor was developed based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP).
Cyclopentadienylcobalt azaboranes violating the Wade–Mingos rules: a degree 3 vertex for the nitrogen atom
Authors: Attia Amr A. A. , Lupan Alexandru , King R. Bruce
Published: June 2015

The structures and energetics of the cobaltaazaboranes CpCoNHBn−2Hn−2 (n = 8 to 12) have been investigated by density functional theory. Degree 3 vertices are found for the nitrogen atoms in low-energy 8- and 9-vertex structures.
Catalytic reduction of NOx by CO over a Ni–Ga based oxide catalyst
Authors: Yan Shicheng , Wu Zhaochun , Xu Qian , Wang Jia Jia , Hong Jinhua , Li Jixue , Wang Peng , Zou Zhigang
Published: June 2015

A new low-cost Ni–Ga based oxide catalyst with an inverse spinel structure was developed for NO removal. Our results open up a new route for designing efficient catalysts, combining the strong gas capture properties of a specific element with high catalytic NO conversion properties, by constructing an appropriate element ligand environment.