bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Mediation and Judicial Proceedings in China
Authors: Waye Vicki , Xiong Ping
Published: July 2016

After a period of decline, judicial mediation has been recently revived in China. The revival has occurred as a result of a combination of political and juridical forces. China's courts have been struggling to meet demand for access to justice and the revival of judicial mediation is part of a broader policy to promote mediation as a mainstream dispute resolution mechanism. At the same time, the revival of judicial mediation also reflects the disaffection of China's political elite with an emphasis upon adversarial, western style legal process. China's establishment appears to be seeking a more responsive multi-door style of court system. This article traces recent developments in China which track the rise, fall and rise of judicial mediation.
Law and Religion in Indonesia: The Constitutional Court and the Blasphemy Law
Authors: Crouch Melissa A.
Published: July 2016

A growing number of religious minorities have been prosecuted for the criminal offence of ‘insulting a religion’, specifically Islam, in Indonesia. Both local and international human rights organisations have condemned the perceived misuse of what is widely referred to in Indonesia as the ‘Blasphemy Law’. This article will analyse the application for judicial review of the Blasphemy Law, which was submitted to the Indonesian Constitutional Court in 2009. It will critique the various submissions made to the court and analyse the historic decision of the judiciary, which upheld the validity of the Blasphemy Law. In doing this, it will explore how the relationship between law and religion, particularly Islam, has been debated, negotiated and articulated in democratic Indonesia
The Trust in an Ageing Japan: has commercialisation precluded the trust from reaching its welfare potential?
Authors: Ryan Trevor
Published: July 2016

This article argues that recent reforms to Japan's trust law regime have not fully exploited the potential of the trust in an ageing society. It argues that the commercial emphasis of the reforms has intangible ramifications for the concept of the trust in Japan that render the trust of questionable suitability for welfare oriented applications. The article also explores the potential of the courts to rescue the welfare role of the trust, in part by developing doctrine responsively to a given trust arrangement. It concludes that in an evolving social, political, and economic climate (including the Global Financial Crisis and its effect on the demand for financial products involving securitization), it is the role of the courts in developing doctrine that may bring balance to the competing demands placed upon the trust in an ageing society.
Legal Activism for Ensuring Environmental Justice
Authors: Karim Saiful , Vincents Okechukwu Benjamin , Rahim Mia Mahmudur
Published: July 2016

This article reviews some of the roles environmental lawyers have played in ensuring environmental justice in Bangladesh. It leans on law and social movement theories to explicate the choice (and ensuing success) of litigation as a movement strategy in Bangladesh. The activists successfully moved the courts to read the right to a decent environment into the fundamental right to life, and this has had the far-reaching effect ofconstituting a basis forstanding forthe activists and other civil society organisations. The activists have also sought to introduce emerging international law principles into the jurisprudence of the courts. These achievements notwithstanding, the paper notes that litigation is not a sustainable way to institute enduring environmental protection in any jurisdiction and recommends the utilisation of the reputation and recognition gained through litigation to deploy or encourage more sustainable strategies.
Designing a Legal Skills Curriculum For an Asian Law School: Lessons in Adaptation
Authors: Wong Eleanor
Published: July 2016

In 2001, the Faculty of Law at the National University of Singapore embarked on a bold initiative to teach legal skills in a more determined and focused way than ever before in its L.L.B. Programme. This paper documents how the experience of teaching skills in the United States was adapted and re-created for Singapore. It describes the challenges and the responses fashioned to deal with intensive and interactive small group teaching, research and mooting. The paper calls for student and learning centeredness and a keen appreciation of their cultural and social assumptions.
ANGPTL4 deficiency in haematopoietic cells promotes monocyte expansion and atherosclerosis progression
Authors: Aryal Binod , Rotllan Noemi , Araldi Elisa , Ramírez Cristina M. , He Shun , Chousterman Benjamin G. , Fenn Ashley M. , Wanschel Amarylis , Madrigal-Matute Julio , Warrier Nikhil , Martín-Ventura Jose L. , Swirski Filip K. , Suárez Yajaira , Fernández-Hernando Carlos
Published: July 2016

Lipid accumulation in macrophages has profound effects on macrophage gene expression and contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. Here, we report that angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is the most highly upregulated gene in foamy macrophages and it’s absence in haematopoietic cells results in larger atherosclerotic plaques, characterized by bigger necrotic core areas and increased macrophage apoptosis. Furthermore, hyperlipidemic mice deficient in haematopoietic ANGPTL4 have higher blood leukocyte counts, which is associated with an increase in the common myeloid progenitor (CMP) population. ANGPTL4-deficient CMPs have higher lipid raft content, are more proliferative and less apoptotic compared with the wild-type (WT) CMPs. Finally, we observe that ANGPTL4 deficiency in macrophages promotes foam cell formation by enhancing CD36 expression and reducing ABCA1 localization in the cell surface. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that haematopoietic ANGPTL4 deficiency increases atherogenesis through regulating myeloid progenitor cell expansion and differentiation, foam cell formation and vascular inflammation.
Multiple-component covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Huang Ning , Zhai Lipeng , Coupry Damien E. , Addicoat Matthew A. , Okushita Keiko , Nishimura Katsuyuki , Heine Thomas , Jiang Donglin
Published: July 2016

Covalent organic frameworks are a class of crystalline porous polymers that integrate molecular building blocks into periodic structures and are usually synthesized using two-component [1+1] condensation systems comprised of one knot and one linker. Here we report a general strategy based on multiple-component [1+2] and [1+3] condensation systems that enable the use of one knot and two or three linker units for the synthesis of hexagonal and tetragonal multiple-component covalent organic frameworks. Unlike two-component systems, multiple-component covalent organic frameworks feature asymmetric tiling of organic units into anisotropic skeletons and unusually shaped pores. This strategy not only expands the structural complexity of skeletons and pores but also greatly enhances their structural diversity. This synthetic platform is also widely applicable to multiple-component electron donor–acceptor systems, which lead to electronic properties that are not simply linear summations of those of the conventional [1+1] counterparts.
Far-field nanoscale infrared spectroscopy of vibrational fingerprints of molecules with graphene plasmons
Authors: Hu Hai , Yang Xiaoxia , Zhai Feng , Hu Debo , Liu Ruina , Liu Kaihui , Sun Zhipei , Dai Qing
Published: July 2016

Infrared spectroscopy, especially for molecular vibrations in the fingerprint region between 600 and 1,500 cm−1, is a powerful characterization method for bulk materials. However, molecular fingerprinting at the nanoscale level still remains a significant challenge, due to weak light–matter interaction between micron-wavelengthed infrared light and nano-sized molecules. Here we demonstrate molecular fingerprinting at the nanoscale level using our specially designed graphene plasmonic structure on CaF2nanofilm. This structure not only avoids the plasmon–phonon hybridization, but also providesin situelectrically-tunable graphene plasmon covering the entire molecular fingerprint region, which was previously unattainable. In addition, undisturbed and highly confined graphene plasmon offers simultaneous detection of in-plane and out-of-plane vibrational modes with ultrahigh detection sensitivity down to the sub-monolayer level, significantly pushing the current detection limit of far-field mid-infrared spectroscopies. Our results provide a platform, fulfilling the long-awaited expectation of high sensitivity and selectivity far-field fingerprint detection of nano-scale molecules for numerous applications.
Evolution, comparative biology and ontogeny of vertebrate heart regeneration
Authors: Vivien Celine J , Hudson James E , Porrello Enzo R
Published: July 2016

There are 64,000 living species of vertebrates on our planet and all of them have a heart. Comparative analyses devoted to understanding the regenerative potential of the myocardium have been performed in a dozen vertebrate species with the aim of developing regenerative therapies for human heart disease. Based on this relatively small selection of animal models, important insights into the evolutionary conservation of regenerative mechanisms have been gained. In this review, we survey cardiac regeneration studies in diverse species to provide an evolutionary context for the lack of regenerative capacity in the adult mammalian heart. Our analyses highlight the importance of cardiac adaptations that have occurred over hundreds of millions of years during the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life, as well as during the transition from the womb to an oxygen-rich environment at birth. We also discuss the evolution and ontogeny of cardiac morphological, physiological and metabolic adaptations in the context of heart regeneration. Taken together, our findings suggest that cardiac regenerative potential correlates with a low-metabolic state, the inability to regulate body temperature, low heart pressure, hypoxia, immature cardiomyocyte structure and an immature immune system. A more complete understanding of the evolutionary context and developmental mechanisms governing cardiac regenerative capacity would provide stronger scientific foundations for the translation of cardiac regeneration therapies into the clinic.
Research and development of Zika virus vaccines
Authors: Dawes Brian E , Smalley Claire A , Tiner Bethany L , Beasley David WC , Milligan Gregg N , Reece Lisa M , Hombach Joachim , Barrett Alan DT
Published: July 2016

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a member of the family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, and is transmitted by Aedes sp. mosquitoes. There are three genetic lineages of ZIKV: the East African, West African and Asian lineages. Until recently, Zika fever (ZF) has normally been considered a rare, mild febrile disease, but reports since 2012 have shown potentially severe complications associated with ZIKV infection, including microcephaly and Guillain–Barré syndrome. There are no licensed vaccines for ZIKV; however, many vaccine platforms/approaches that have been utilised for other flavivirus vaccines are being applied to ZIKV. Given the current outbreak of ZIKV in the Americas with its associated risks to pregnancy, we summarise what is known about the virus, how knowledge of currently licensed flavivirus vaccines can be applied to ZIKV vaccine development and the assessments of potential challenges for ZIKV vaccine testing and evaluation.
Ligubenzocycloheptanone A, a Novel Tricyclic Butenolide with a 6/7/5 Skeleton from Ligusticum chuanxiong
Authors: Han Bing , Zhang Xu , Feng Zi-Ming , Jiang Jian-Shuang , Li Li , Yang Ya-Nan , Zhang Pei-Cheng
Published: July 2016

Ligubenzocycloheptanone A (1), a novel tricyclic butenolide with a 6/7/5-membered ring skeleton, was isolated from the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong. Its unusual structure was determined using UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR data, X-ray diffraction crystallography and by the comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. 1 possessed a benzocycloheptanone core featuring butyrolactone, which is rarely observed in nature. A possible biosynthetic pathway was proposed. Ligubenzocycloheptanone A showed strong radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 2.3 μM.
Deciphering and modulating G protein signalling in C. elegans using the DREADD technology
Authors: Prömel Simone , Fiedler Franziska , Binder Claudia , Winkler Jana , Schöneberg Torsten , Thor Doreen
Published: July 2016

G-protein signalling is an evolutionary conserved concept highlighting its fundamental impact on developmental and functional processes. Studies on the effects of G protein signals on tissues as well as an entire organism are often conducted in Caenorhabditis elegans. To understand and control dynamics and kinetics of the processes involved, pharmacological modulation of specific G protein pathways would be advantageous, but is difficult due to a lack in accessibility and regulation. To provide this option, we designed G protein-coupled receptor-based designer receptors (DREADDs) for C. elegans. Initially described in mammalian systems, these modified muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are activated by the inert drug clozapine-N-oxide, but not by their endogenous agonists. We report a novel C. elegans-specific DREADD, functionally expressed and specifically activating Gq-protein signalling in vitro and in vivo which we used for modulating mating behaviour. Therefore, this novel designer receptor demonstrates the possibility to pharmacologically control physiological functions in C. elegans.
Spatial temperature gradients guide axonal outgrowth
Authors: Black Bryan , Vishwakarma Vivek , Dhakal Kamal , Bhattarai Samik , Pradhan Prabhakar , Jain Ankur , Kim Young-tae , Mohanty Samarendra
Published: July 2016

Formation of neural networks during development and regeneration after injury depends on accuracy of axonal pathfinding, which is primarily believed to be influenced by chemical cues. Recently, there is growing evidence that physical cues can play crucial role in axonal guidance. However, detailed mechanism involved in such guidance cues is lacking. By using weakly-focused near-infrared continuous wave (CW) laser microbeam in the path of an advancing axon, we discovered that the beam acts as a repulsive guidance cue. Here, we report that this highly-effective at-a-distance guidance is the result of a temperature field produced by the near-infrared laser light absorption. Since light absorption by extracellular medium increases when the laser wavelength was red shifted, the threshold laser power for reliable guidance was significantly lower in the near-infrared as compared to the visible spectrum. The spatial temperature gradient caused by the near-infrared laser beam at-a-distance was found to activate temperature-sensitive membrane receptors, resulting in an influx of calcium. The repulsive guidance effect was significantly reduced when extracellular calcium was depleted or in the presence of TRPV1-antagonist. Further, direct heating using micro-heater confirmed that the axonal guidance is caused by shallow temperature-gradient, eliminating the role of any non-photothermal effects.
Detecting early signs of the 2007–2008 crisis in the world trade
Authors: Saracco Fabio , Di Clemente Riccardo , Gabrielli Andrea , Squartini Tiziano
Published: July 2016

Since 2007, several contributions have tried to identify early-warning signals of the financial crisis. However, the vast majority of analyses has focused on financial systems and little theoretical work has been done on the economic counterpart. In the present paper we fill this gap and employ the theoretical tools of network theory to shed light on the response of world trade to the financial crisis of 2007 and the economic recession of 2008–2009. We have explored the evolution of the bipartite World Trade Web (WTW) across the years 1995–2010, monitoring the behavior of the system both before and after 2007. Our analysis shows early structural changes in the WTW topology: since 2003, the WTW becomes increasingly compatible with the picture of a network where correlations between countries and products are progressively lost. Moreover, the WTW structural modification can be considered as concluded in 2010, after a seemingly stationary phase of three years. We have also refined our analysis by considering specific subsets of countries and products: the most statistically significant early-warning signals are provided by the most volatile macrosectors, especially when measured on developing countries, suggesting the emerging economies as being the most sensitive ones to the global economic cycles.
Vocal fold control beyond the species-specific repertoire in an orang-utan
Authors: Lameira Adriano R. , Hardus Madeleine E. , Mielke Alexander , Wich Serge A. , Shumaker Robert W.
Published: July 2016

Vocal fold control was critical to the evolution of spoken language, much as it today allows us to learn vowel systems. It has, however, never been demonstrated directly in a non-human primate, leading to the suggestion that it evolved in the human lineage after divergence from great apes. Here, we provide the first evidence for real-time, dynamic and interactive vocal fold control in a great ape during an imitation “do-as-I-do” game with a human demonstrator. Notably, the orang-utan subject skilfully produced “wookies” – an idiosyncratic vocalization exhibiting a unique spectral profile among the orang-utan vocal repertoire. The subject instantaneously matched human-produced wookies as they were randomly modulated in pitch, adjusting his voice frequency up or down when the human demonstrator did so, readily generating distinct low vs. high frequency sub-variants. These sub-variants were significantly different from spontaneous ones (not produced in matching trials). Results indicate a latent capacity for vocal fold exercise in a great ape (i) in real-time, (ii) up and down the frequency spectrum, (iii) across a register range beyond the species-repertoire and, (iv) in a co-operative turn-taking social setup. Such ancestral capacity likely provided the neuro-behavioural basis of the more fine-tuned vocal fold control that is a human hallmark.
Autophagy is induced in the skeletal muscle of cachectic cancer patients
Authors: Aversa Zaira , Pin Fabrizio , Lucia Simone , Penna Fabio , Verzaro Roberto , Fazi Maurizio , Colasante Giuseppina , Tirone Andrea , Fanelli Filippo Rossi , Ramaccini Cesarina , Costelli Paola , Muscaritoli Maurizio
Published: July 2016

Basal rates of autophagy can be markedly accelerated by environmental stresses. Recently, autophagy has been involved in cancer-induced muscle wasting. Aim of this study has been to evaluate if autophagy is induced in the skeletal muscle of cancer patients. The expression (mRNA and protein) of autophagic markers has been evaluated in intraoperative muscle biopsies. Beclin-1 protein levels were increased in cachectic cancer patients, suggesting autophagy induction. LC3B-I protein levels were not significantly modified. LC3B-II protein levels were significantly increased in cachectic cancer patients suggesting either increased autophagosome formation or reduced autophagosome turnover. Conversely, p62 protein levels were increased in cachectic and non-cachectic cancer patients, suggesting impaired autophagosome clearance. As for mitophagy, both Bnip3 and Nix/Bnip3L show a trend to increase in cachectic patients. In the same patients, Parkin levels significantly increased, while PINK1 was unchanged. At gene level, Beclin-1, p-62, BNIP3, NIX/BNIP3L and TFEB mRNAs were not significantly modulated, while LC3B and PINK1 mRNA levels were increased and decreased, respectively, in cachectic cancer patients. Autophagy is induced in the skeletal muscle of cachectic cancer patients, although autophagosome clearance appears to be impaired. Further studies should evaluate whether modulation of autophagy could represent a relevant therapeutic strategy in cancer cachexia.
Signatures of a globally optimal searching strategy in the three-dimensional foraging flights of bumblebees
Authors: Lihoreau Mathieu , Ings Thomas C. , Chittka Lars , Reynolds Andy M.
Published: July 2016

Simulated annealing is a powerful stochastic search algorithm for locating a global maximum that is hidden among many poorer local maxima in a search space. It is frequently implemented in computers working on complex optimization problems but until now has not been directly observed in nature as a searching strategy adopted by foraging animals. We analysed high-speed video recordings of the three-dimensional searching flights of bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) made in the presence of large or small artificial flowers within a 0.5 m3 enclosed arena. Analyses of the three-dimensional flight patterns in both conditions reveal signatures of simulated annealing searches. After leaving a flower, bees tend to scan back-and forth past that flower before making prospecting flights (loops), whose length increases over time. The search pattern becomes gradually more expansive and culminates when another rewarding flower is found. Bees then scan back and forth in the vicinity of the newly discovered flower and the process repeats. This looping search pattern, in which flight step lengths are typically power-law distributed, provides a relatively simple yet highly efficient strategy for pollinators such as bees to find best quality resources in complex environments made of multiple ephemeral feeding sites with nutritionally variable rewards.
Organic nitrogen uptake is a significant contributor to nitrogen economy of subtropical epiphytic bryophytes
Authors: Song Liang , Lu Hua-Zheng , Xu Xing-Liang , Li Su , Shi Xian-Meng , Chen Xi , Wu Yi , Huang Jun-Biao , Chen Quan , Liu Shuai , Wu Chuan-Sheng , Liu Wen-Yao
Published: July 2016

Without any root contact with the soil, epiphytic bryophytes must experience and explore poor, patchy, and heterogeneous habitats; while, the nitrogen (N) uptake and use strategies of these organisms remain uncharacterized, which obscures their roles in the N cycle. To investigate the N sources, N preferences, and responses to enhanced N deposition in epiphytic bryophytes, we carried out an in situ manipulation experiment via the 15N labelling technique in an Asian cloud forest. Epiphytic bryophytes obtained more N from air deposition than from the bark, but the contribution of N from the bark was non-negligible. Glycine accounted for 28.4% to 44.5% of the total N in bryophyte tissue, which implies that organic N might serve as an important N source. Increased N deposition increased the total N uptake, but did not alter the N preference of the epiphytic bryophytes. This study provides sound evidence that epiphytic bryophytes could take up N from the bark and wet deposition in both organic and inorganic N forms. It is thus important to consider organic N and bark N sources, which were usually neglected, when estimating the role of epiphytic bryophytes in N cycling and the impacts of N deposition on epiphytic bryophytes in cloud forests.
Human DNA-Damage-Inducible 2 Protein Is Structurally and Functionally Distinct from Its Yeast Ortholog
Authors: Sivá Monika , Svoboda Michal , Veverka Václav , Trempe Jean-François , Hofmann Kay , Kožíšek Milan , Hexnerová Rozálie , Sedlák František , Belza Jan , Brynda Jiří , Šácha Pavel , Hubálek Martin , Starková Jana , Flaisigová Iva , Konvalinka Jan , Šašková Klára Grantz
Published: July 2016

Although Ddi1-like proteins are conserved among eukaryotes, their biological functions remain poorly characterized. Yeast Ddi1 has been implicated in cell cycle regulation, DNA-damage response and exocytosis. By virtue of its ubiquitin-like (UBL) and ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domains, it has been proposed to serve as a proteasomal shuttle factor. All Ddi1-like family members also contain a highly conserved retroviral protease-like (RVP) domain with unknown substrate specificity. While the structure and biological function of yeast Ddi1 have been investigated, no such analysis is available for the human homologs. To address this, we solved the 3D structures of the human Ddi2 UBL and RVP domains and identified a new helical domain that extends on either side of the RVP dimer. While Ddi1-like proteins from all vertebrates lack a UBA domain, we identify a novel ubiquitin-interacting motif (UIM) located at the C-terminus of the protein. The UIM showed a weak yet specific affinity towards ubiquitin, as did the Ddi2 UBL domain. However, the full-length Ddi2 protein is unable to bind to di-ubiquitin chains. While proteomic analysis revealed no activity, implying that the protease requires other factors for activation, our structural characterization of all domains of human Ddi2 sets the stage for further characterization.
Stress-induced and epigenetic-mediated maize transcriptome regulation study by means of transcriptome reannotation and differential expression analysis
Authors: Forestan Cristian , Aiese Cigliano Riccardo , Farinati Silvia , Lunardon Alice , Sanseverino Walter , Varotto Serena
Published: July 2016

Plant’s response and adaptation to abiotic stresses involve sophisticated genetic and epigenetic regulatory systems. To obtain a global view of molecular response to osmotic stresses, including the non-coding portion of genome, we conducted a total leaf transcriptome analysis on maize plants subjected to prolonged drought and salt stresses. Stress application to both B73 wild type and the epiregulator mutant rpd1-1/rmr6 allowed dissection of the epigenetic component of stress response. Coupling total RNA-Seq and transcriptome re-assembly we annotated thousands of new maize transcripts, together with 13,387 lncRNAs that may play critical roles in regulating gene expression. Differential expression analysis revealed hundreds of genes modulated by long-term stress application, including also many lncRNAs and transposons specifically induced by stresses. The amplitude and dynamic of the stress-modulated gene sets are very different between B73 and rpd1-1/rmr6 mutant plants, as result of stress-like effect on genome regulation caused by the mutation itself, which activates many stress-related genes even in control condition. The analyzed extensive set of total RNA-Seq data, together with the improvement of the transcriptome and the identification of the non-coding portion of the transcriptome give a revealing insight into the genetic and epigenetic mechanism responsible for maize molecular response to abiotic stresses.
Galangin Induces Autophagy via Deacetylation of LC3 by SIRT1 in HepG2 Cells
Authors: Li Xv , Wang Yajun , Xiong Yuzhen , Wu Jun , Ding Hang , Chen Xiaoyi , Lan Liubo , Zhang Haitao
Published: July 2016

Galangin suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis and autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, but the precise mechanism is not clear. In this study, we demonstrated that galangin induced autophagy, enhanced the binding of SIRT1-LC3 and reduced the acetylation of endogenous LC3 in HepG2 cells. But this autophagy was inhibited by inactivation of SIRT1 meanwhile, galangin failed to reduce the acetylation of endogenous LC3 after SIRT1 was knocked-down. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a new mechanism by which galangin induces autophagy via the deacetylation of endogenous LC3 by SIRT1.
Internalized Tau sensitizes cells to stress by promoting formation and stability of stress granules
Authors: Brunello Cecilia A. , Yan Xu , Huttunen Henri J.
Published: July 2016

Stress granules are membrane-less RNA- and RNA-binding protein-containing complexes that are transiently assembled in stressful conditions to promote cell survival. Several stress granule-associated RNA-binding proteins have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, a close link was recently identified between the stress granule core-nucleating protein TIA-1 and Tau. Tau is a central pathological protein in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies and misfolded, aggregated Tau is capable of propagating pathology via cell-to-cell transmission. Here we show that following internalization hyperphosphorylated extracellular Tau associates with stress granules in a TIA-1 dependent manner. Cytosolic Tau normally only weakly interacts with TIA-1 but mutations mimicking abnormal phosphorylation promote this interaction. We show that internalized Tau significantly delays normal clearance of stress granules in the recipient cells sensitizing them to secondary stress. These results suggest that secreted Tau species may have properties, likely related to its hyperphosphorylation and oligomerization, which promote pathological association of internalized Tau with stress granules altering their dynamics and reducing cell viability. We suggest that stress granules and TIA-1 play a central role in the cell-to-cell transmission of Tau pathology.
Efficient high repetition rate electro-optic Q-switched laser with an optically active langasite crystal
Authors: Ma Shihui , Yu Haohai , Zhang Huaijin , Han Xuekun , Lu Qingming , Ma Changqin , Boughton Robert I. , Wang Jiyang
Published: July 2016

With an optically active langasite (LGS) crystal as the electro-optic Q-switch, we demonstrate an efficient Q-switched laser with a repetition rate of 200 kHz. Based on the theoretical analysis of the interaction between optical activity and electro-optic property, the optical activity of the crystal has no influence on the birefringence during Q-switching if the quarter wave plate used was rotated to align with the polarization direction. With a Nd:LuVO4 crystal possessing a large emission cross-section and a short fluorescence lifetime as the gain medium, a stable LGS Q-switched laser was designed with average output power of 4.39 W, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 29.4% and with a minimum pulse width of 5.1 ns. This work represents the highest repetition rate achieved so far in a LGS Q-switched laser and it can provide a practical Q-switched laser with a tunable high repetition rates for many applications, such as materials processing, laser ranging, medicine, military applications, biomacromolecule materials, remote sensing, etc.
Ultrahard stitching of nanotwinned diamond and cubic boron nitride in C2-BN composite
Authors: Liu Xiaobing , Chen Xin , Ma Hong-An , Jia Xiaopeng , Wu Jinsong , Yu Tony , Wang Yanbin , Guo Jiangang , Petitgirard Sylvain , Bina Craig R. , Jacobsen Steven D.
Published: July 2016

Materials combining the hardness and strength of diamond with the higher thermal stability of cubic boron nitride (cBN) have broad potential value in science and engineering. Reacting nanodiamond with cBN at moderate pressures and high temperatures provides a pathway to such materials. Here we report the fabrication of Cx-BN nanocomposites, measuring up to 10 mm in longest dimension, by reacting nanodiamond with pre-synthesized cBN in a large-volume press. The nanocomposites consist of randomly-oriented diamond and cBN domains stitched together by sp3-hybridized C-B and C-N bonds, leading to p-type semiconductivity. Dislocations near the sutures accommodate lattice mismatch between diamond and cBN. Nanotwinning within both diamond and cBN domains further contributes to a bulk hardness ~50% higher than sintered cBN. The nanocomposite of C2-BN exhibits p-type semiconductivity with low activation energy and high thermal stability, making it a functional, ultrahard substance.
Underdamped scaled Brownian motion: (non-)existence of the overdamped limit in anomalous diffusion
Authors: Bodrova Anna S. , Chechkin Aleksei V. , Cherstvy Andrey G. , Safdari Hadiseh , Sokolov Igor M. , Metzler Ralf
Published: July 2016

It is quite generally assumed that the overdamped Langevin equation provides a quantitative description of the dynamics of a classical Brownian particle in the long time limit. We establish and investigate a paradigm anomalous diffusion process governed by an underdamped Langevin equation with an explicit time dependence of the system temperature and thus the diffusion and damping coefficients. We show that for this underdamped scaled Brownian motion (UDSBM) the overdamped limit fails to describe the long time behaviour of the system and may practically even not exist at all for a certain range of the parameter values. Thus persistent inertial effects play a non-negligible role even at significantly long times. From this study a general questions on the applicability of the overdamped limit to describe the long time motion of an anomalously diffusing particle arises, with profound consequences for the relevance of overdamped anomalous diffusion models. We elucidate our results in view of analytical and simulations results for the anomalous diffusion of particles in free cooling granular gases.
Physics of Majorana modes in interacting helical liquid
Authors: Sarkar Sujit
Published: July 2016

As an attempt to understand and search for the existence of Majorana zero mode, we study the topological quantum phase transition and also the nature of this transition in helical liquid system, which appears in different physical systems. We present Majorana-Ising transition along with the phase boundary in the presence of interaction. We show the appearance of Majorana mode under the renormalization of the parameters of the system and also the topological protection of it. We present the length scale dependent condition for the appearance of Majorana edge state and also the absence of edge state for a certain regime of parameter space.
Molecular characterization of insulin resistance and glycolytic metabolism in the rat uterus
Authors: Zhang Yuehui , Sun Xue , Sun Xiaoyan , Meng Fanci , Hu Min , Li Xin , Li Wei , Wu Xiao-Ke , Brännström Mats , Shao Ruijin , Billig Håkan
Published: July 2016

Peripheral insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism are the primary features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, how insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism affect uterine function and contribute to the pathogenesis of PCOS are open questions. We treated rats with insulin alone or in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and showed that peripheral insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism alter uterine morphology, cell phenotype, and cell function, especially in glandular epithelial cells. These defects are associated with an aberration in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway that is used as an indicator for the onset of insulin resistance in classical metabolic tissues. Concomitantly, increased GSK3β (Ser-9) phosphorylation and decreased ERK1/2 phosphorylation in rats treated with insulin and hCG were also observed. We also profiled the expression of glucose transporter (Glut) isoform genes in the uterus under conditions of insulin resistance and/or hyperandrogenism. Finally, we determined the expression pattern of glycolytic enzymes and intermediates during insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in the uterus. These findings suggest that the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways play a role in the onset of uterine insulin resistance, and they also suggest that changes in specific Glut isoform expression and alterations to glycolytic metabolism contribute to the endometrial dysfunction observed in PCOS patients.
Enzyme-mediated polymerization inside engineered protein cages
Authors: Frey Raphael , Hayashi Takahiro , Hilvert Donald
Published: July 2016

Engineered variants of the capsid-forming enzyme lumazine synthase, AaLS, were used as nanoreactors for an enzyme-mediated polymerization.
van der Waals density functionals applied to corundum-type sesquioxides: bulk properties and adsorption of CH3 and C6H6 on (0001) surfaces
Authors: Dabaghmanesh Samira , Neyts Erik C. , Partoens Bart
Published: July 2016

van der Waals treatment of the DFT functionals highlights the importance of the dispersion interactions for an accurate description of bulk properties and adsorption of open- and closed-shell molecules on sesquioxide surfaces.
Hybrid surfactants decorated with copper ions: aggregation behavior, antimicrobial activity and anti-proliferative effect
Authors: Kaur Gurpreet , Kumar Sandeep , Dilbaghi Neeraj , Bhanjana Gaurav , Guru Santosh Kumar , Bhushan Shashi , Jaglan Sundeep , Hassan P. A. , Aswal V. K.
Published: July 2016

In the present study, the emphasis is laid on the self aggregation behavior and biological activity of copper based inorganic–organic hybrids in aqueous media.
Au 4f spin–orbit coupling effects in supported gold nanoparticles
Authors: Chenakin Sergey P. , Kruse Norbert
Published: July 2016

We reveal that the ratio of spin–orbit components in X-ray photoelectron Au 4f spectra of titania-supported gold nanoparticles deviates from the statistical ratio 4 : 3 and demonstrates an appreciable dependence on the concentration of Au atoms on the surface of TiO2 support and size of Au nanoparticles.
Ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry examination of the structures, stabilities, and extents of hydration of dimethylamine–sulfuric acid clusters
Authors: Thomas Jikku M. , He Siqin , Larriba-Andaluz Carlos , DePalma Joseph W. , Johnston Murray V. , Hogan Jr. Christopher J.
Published: July 2016

Uptake of water molecules by dimethylamine–sulfuric acid cluster ions mitigates dissociation in atmospheric pressure ion source mass spectrometer inlets.
On the positional and orientational order of water and methanol around indole: a study on the microscopic origin of solubility
Authors: Henao Andres , Johnston Andrew J. , Guàrdia Elvira , McLain Sylvia E. , Pardo Luis Carlos
Published: July 2016

The increase in solubility for indole in methanol water solutions relative to pure water is a result methanol −OH–π interactions. In addition, excess entropy calculations suggest that this process is enthalpically rather than entropically driven.
MOFs and their grafted analogues: regioselective epoxide ring-opening with Zr6 nodes
Authors: Thornburg Nicholas E. , Liu Yangyang , Li Peng , Hupp Joseph T. , Farha Omar K. , Notestein Justin M.
Published: July 2016

Zirconium(iv)-containing metal–organic framework (MOF) catalysts NU-1000 and MOF-808 were compared to analogous catalysts synthesized by grafting the nodes onto bare and functionalized silica.
1H NMR spectroscopic elucidation in solution of the kinetics and thermodynamics of spin crossover for an exceptionally robust Fe2+ complex
Authors: Petzold Holm , Djomgoue Paul , Hörner Gerald , Speck J. Matthäus , Rüffer Tobias , Schaarschmidt Dieter
Published: July 2016

A series of exceptionally robust Fe2+ spin crossover complexes has been synthesized and investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy in solution.
Exploration of GSK'S solvent selection guide in leather industry: a CSIR-CLRI tool for sustainable leather manufacturing
Authors: Sathish M. , Silambarasan S. , Madhan B. , Raghava Rao J.
Published: July 2016

Exploration of GSK'S solvent selection guide in leather industry: A CSIR-CLRI tool for sustainable leather manufacturing.
Analysis of the quantitative structure–activity relationship of glutathione-derived peptides based on different free radical scavenging systems
Authors: Liao Wenzhen , Gu Longjian , Zheng Yamei , Zhu Zisheng , Zhao Mouming , Liang Ming , Ren Jiaoyan
Published: July 2016

In the present study, eleven glutathione-derived peptides, including Glu-Cys-His, Pro-Leu-Gly, Pro-Cys-Gly, Phe-Lys-Leu, Leu-His-Gly, Lys-Leu-Glu, Lys-Val-His, Tyr-Glu-Gly, Tyr-His-Leu, Gly-Glu-Leu and Gly-Pro-Glu, were designed.
Microwave-enhanced Friedländer synthesis for the rapid assembly of halogenated quinolines with antibacterial and biofilm eradication activities against drug resistant and tolerant bacteria
Authors: Garrison Aaron T. , Abouelhassan Yasmeen , Yang Hongfen , Yousaf Hussain H. , Nguyen Tho J. , Huigens III Robert W.
Published: July 2016

We disclose a microwave-enhanced Friedländer reaction that led to new antibacterials and biofilm-eradicators.
Thermally stable and highly active cobalt precatalysts for vinyl-polyethylenes with narrow polydispersities: integrating fused-ring and imino-carbon protection into ligand design
Authors: Huang Fang , Zhang Wenjuan , Sun Yang , Hu Xinquan , Solan Gregory A. , Sun Wen-Hua
Published: July 2016

Finely tuned cobalt complexes, upon activation with either MAO or MMAO, exhibited high activities up to 80 °C and produced highly linear vinyl-polyethylenes.
Growth of single-layer boron nitride dome-shaped nanostructures catalysed by iron clusters
Authors: Torre A. La , Åhlgren E. H. , Fay M. W. , Ben Romdhane F. , Skowron S. T. , Parmenter C. , Davies A. J. , Jouhannaud J. , Pourroy G. , Khlobystov A. N. , Brown P. D. , Besley E. , Banhart F.
Published: July 2016

We report on the growth and formation of single-layer boron nitride dome-shaped nanostructures on the step edges of hexagonal boron nitride flakes mediated by small iron clusters.
Electrospray loading and release of hydrophobic gramicidin in polyester microparticles
Authors: Maione Silvana , del Valle Luis J. , Pérez-Madrigal Maria M. , Cativiela Carlos , Puiggalí Jordi , Alemán Carlos
Published: July 2016

Gramicidin, a pentadecapeptide with well-known antimicrobial properties and recently identified therapeutic activity against different carcinomas, has been loaded by electrospraying in biodegradable and biocompatible poly(tetramethylene succinate).
Second order hyperpolarizability of triphenylamine based organic sensitizers: a first principle theoretical study
Authors: Prakasam M. , Anbarasan P. M.
Published: July 2016

Designed metal-free dyes have been investigated by Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent DFT (TD-DFT) to evaluate the ground state and excited state geometries of triphenylamine-based organic sensitizers.
Specific and highly sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for determination of febuxostat in its tablets and real human plasma. Application to stability studies
Authors: Omar Mahmoud A. , Mohamed Abdel-Maaboud I. , Derayea Sayed M. , Hammad Mohamed A. , Mohamed Abobakr A.
Published: July 2016

A simple, rapid, specific and highly sensitive spectrofluorimetric method has been developed for determination of febuxostat (FEB) in its tablets and real human plasma.
Phytochemical characterization and bioactive properties of Osyris quadripartita Salzm. ex Decne. leaves from Algeria
Authors: Rached Wahiba , Calhelha Ricardo C. , Fernandes Ângela , Carvalho Ana Maria , Bennaceur Malika , Marouf Abderrazak , Barros Lillian , Santos-Buelga Celestino , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R.
Published: July 2016

Medicinal plants are sources of bioactive compounds with recognized beneficial effects on human health.
Fe3O4@Pt/MWCNT/carbon paste electrode for determination of a doxorubicin anticancer drug in a human urine sample
Authors: Madrakian Tayyebeh , Asl Khadijeh Dinmohamadi , Ahmadi Mazaher , Afkhami Abbas
Published: July 2016

In this study, a Fe3O4@Pt nanoparticle and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) modified carbon paste electrode was used as a fast and sensitive tool for the electrochemical determination of doxorubicin (DOX).
Thionation reactions of 2-pyrrole carboxylates
Authors: Groves Brandon R. , Smithen Deborah A. , Cameron T. Stanley , Thompson Alison
Published: July 2016

Reaction of 2-pyrrole carboxylates with Lawesson's reagent at elevated temperatures results in the corresponding thionoesters, concurrent with the production of a new class of pyrrole annulated with the (1,3,2)-thiazaphospholidine unit.
Synthesis of 6-hydroxyceramide using ruthenium-catalyzed hydrosilylation–protodesilylation. Unexpected formation of a long periodicity lamellar phase in skin lipid membranes
Authors: Kováčik Andrej , Opálka Lukáš , Šilarová Michaela , Roh Jaroslav , Vávrová Kateřina
Published: July 2016

Synthesis of 6-hydroxysphingosine ceramide and formation of unusual lamellar phase in model membranes of human epidermal barrier.
Energy storage systems based on endoskeleton structuring
Authors: Nam Inho , Park Jongseok , Bae Seongjun , Park Soomin , Yoo Young Geun , Yi Jongheop
Published: July 2016

The new energy storage technology proposed here includes an endoskeleton architecture similar to vertebrates, which (1) provides flexibility for future mobile/human integrated electrics, (2) ensures the scalability of devices for the storage of fluctuating energy sources and (3) solves safety issues associated with energy storage devices in electric vehicles.
Highly electrically conductive polyethylenedioxythiophene thin films for thermoelectric applications
Authors: Yi Chao , Zhang Long , Hu Rundong , Chuang Steven S. C. , Zheng Jie , Gong Xiong
Published: July 2016

Enhanced PP-modified PEDOT:Tos based thermoelectrics present increased densities of the polaron state and stabilized densities of the bipolaron state.
Carbon nanomaterial scaffold films with conductivity at micro and sub-micron levels
Authors: Martín Aida , Vázquez Luis , Escarpa Alberto
Published: July 2016

Porous carbon nanomaterial scaffold films with conductivity at micro and sub-micron levels for molecule detection at microscale.
Rejuvenation of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Huang Yi-You , Gollavelli Ganesh , Chao Yi-Hsiang , Hsu Chain-Shu
Published: July 2016

A novel method has been developed to recharge and rejuvenate perovskite solar cells by immersing the device into methyl ammonium iodide (MAI) solution and heating at 70 °C for 40 s.
Head Position Identification
Authors: Wright H. N.
Published: July 2016

A binaural recording of traffic sounds that reached an artificial head oriented in five different positions was presented to five subjects, each of whom responded under four different criteria. The results showed that it is possible to examine the ability of listeners to localize sound while listening through earphones and that the criterion adopted by an individual listener is independent of his performance. For the experimental conditions used, the Type II ROC curve generated by manipulating criterion behavior was linear and consistent with a guessing model. Further experiments involving different degrees of stimulus degradation suggested a partial explanation for this finding and illustrated the various types of monaural and binaural cues used by normal and hearing-impaired listeners to localize complex sounds.
Speech Production and Perception in a Patient with Severe Impairment of Somesthetic Perception and Motor Control
Authors: MacNeilage Peter F. , Rootes Thomas P. , Chase Richard Allen
Published: July 2016

Studies were made of speech and other motor behavior of a 17-year-old female with severe chronic difficulties in swallowing, chewing, and speaking. Studies included: (a) physical and neurological examination; (b) phonological analysis; (c) electromyography; (d) cinefluorography; (e) non-speech motor tests; (f) tests of phoneme perception, and (g) dichotic auditory perception tests. Neurological examination revealed severe defects in complex somesthetic sensation (e.g. stereognosis). Other sensory functions, including hearing, were normal. Although motor abnormalities of extrapyramidal, cerebellar or peripheral origin were not indicated, the patient was unable to activate the several muscles required for any given speech gesture while at the same time independently controlling their various patterns of activity in normal fashion. It was concluded that this difficulty was not primarily of motor origin but resulted from congenital inability to obtain somesthetic information necessary for learning of the patterns of spatial distribution and temporal modulation of muscle contraction accompanying normal speech. Despite the severe speech production deficits, speech perception approached normality, even in some characteristics which, according to the motor theory of speech perception, are dependent on the listener’s referring to the neural correlates of normal speech motor control. Reference to normal motor information does not therefore appear necessary for these types of perceptual performance.