bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frugivores bias seed‐adult tree associations through nonrandom seed dispersal: a phylogenetic approach
Authors: Razafindratsima Onja H. , Dunham Amy E.
Published: April 2016

Frugivores are the main seed dispersers in many ecosystems, such that behaviorally driven, nonrandom patterns of seed dispersal are a common process; but patterns are poorly understood. Characterizing these patterns may be essential for understanding spatial organization of fruiting trees and drivers of seed‐dispersal limitation in biodiverse forests. To address this, we studied resulting spatial associations between dispersed seeds and adult tree neighbors in a diverse rainforest in Madagascar, using a temporal and phylogenetic approach. Data show that by using fruiting trees as seed‐dispersal foci, frugivores bias seed dispersal under conspecific adults and under heterospecific trees that share dispersers and fruiting time with the dispersed species. Frugivore‐mediated seed dispersal also resulted in nonrandom phylogenetic associations of dispersed seeds with their nearest adult neighbors, in nine out of the 16 months of our study. However, these nonrandom phylogenetic associations fluctuated unpredictably over time, ranging from clustered to overdispersed. The spatial and phylogenetic template of seed dispersal did not translate to similar patterns of association in adult tree neighborhoods, suggesting the importance of post‐dispersal processes in structuring plant communities. Results suggest that frugivore‐mediated seed dispersal is important for structuring early stages of plant‐plant associations, setting the template for post‐dispersal processes that influence ultimate patterns of plant recruitment. Importantly, if biased patterns of dispersal are common in other systems, frugivores may promote tree coexistence in biodiverse forests by limiting the frequency and diversity of heterospecific interactions of seeds they disperse.
State‐of‐the‐art applications of cyclodextrins as functional monomers in molecular imprinting techniques: a review
Authors: Lay Sovichea , Ni Xiaofeng , Yu Haining , Shen Shengrong
Published: April 2016

As a versatile tool in separation science, cyclodextrins and their derivatives, known as emerging functional monomers, have been used extensively in molecular imprinting techniques. The attributes of cyclodextrins and their derivatives are widely known to form host–guest inclusion complex processes between the polymer and template. The exploitation of the imprinting technique could produce a product of molecularly imprinted polymers, which are very robust with long‐term stability, reliability, cost‐efficiency, and selectivity. Hence, molecularly imprinted polymers have gained popularity in chemical separation and analysis. Molecularly imprinted polymers containing either cyclodextrin or its derivatives demonstrate superior binding effects for a target molecule. As noted in the previous studies, the functional monomers of cyclodextrins and their derivatives have been used in molecular imprinting for selective separation with a wide range of chemical compounds, including steroidals, amino acids, polysaccharides, drugs, plant hormones, proteins, pesticides, and plastic additives. Therefore, the main goal of this review is to illustrate the exotic applications of imprinting techniques employing cyclodextrins and their derivatives as single or binary functional monomers in synthesizing molecularly imprinted polymers in areas of separation science by reviewing some of the latest studies reported in the literature.
The contribution of single case studies to the neuroscience of vision
Authors: Zihl Josef , Heywood Charles A.
Published: April 2016

Visual neuroscience is concerned with the neurobiological foundations of visual perception, that is, the morphological, physiological, and functional organization of the visual brain and its co‐operative partners. One important approach for understanding the functional organization of the visual brain is the study of visual perception from the pathological perspective. The study of patients with focal injury to the visual brain allows conclusions about the representation of visual perceptual functions in the framework of association and dissociation of functions. Selective disorders have been reported for more “elementary” visual capabilities, for example, color and movement vision, but also for visuo‐cognitive capacities, such as visual agnosia or the visual field of attention. Because these visual disorders occur rather seldom as selective and specific dysfunctions, single cases have always played, and still play, a significant role in gaining insights into the functional organization of the visual brain.
Experimental behaviour and deflection of low‐strength concrete beams reinforced with FRP bars
Authors: Confrere Adeline , Michel Laurent , Ferrier Emmanuel , Chanvillard Gilles
Published: April 2016

FRP rebars with low compressive strength concrete is desirable in order to avoid the accelerated corrosion processes that could occur with steel rebars. For this purpose, an experimental programme was designed to identify the failure modes and bending behaviour. The experimental results are compared with equations from ACI 440.1R‐06, CSA S806‐12 and other design codes as well as with other results from a review of the literature.

The comparisons indicate that the resistance moment is well predicted by codes for flexural failure. At ultimate loads, the deflection of the beams is further underestimated compared with the deflection of Reinforced Concrete beams with a higher compressive strength. An analytical simulation of 690 beams indicates that deflection is the major limiting criterion at the serviceability limit state.

Finally, the formulation problem of the optimal FRP design for reinforced concrete beams can be turned into a programming problem. The space of the feasible design solutions and the optimal solutions can be obtained using only a reduced number of design variables and an existing design method.
Bond behaviour of straight, hooked, U‐shaped and headed bars in cracked concrete
Authors: Brantschen F. , Faria D.M.V. , Fernández Ruiz M. , Muttoni A.
Published: April 2016

Most classic investigations on bonding properties in reinforced concrete have been performed on the basis of pull‐out tests, where a reinforcement bar is pulled out from an uncracked concrete cylinder, prism or cube. In these tests, the bond is governed by the concrete strength and bar surface properties of the reinforcement (bond index, rib geometry) or by the splitting strength of the concrete (concrete cover). In the latter case, bond failure occurs due to uncontrolled cracking of the concrete specimen. In contrast to these fundamental tests, bond in many structural members is activated within already cracked concrete. This is particularly relevant for the reinforcement in beams and slabs (both for flexural and transverse reinforcement), as the reinforcing bars might be located at planes where flexural cracks develop. The opening of these cracks along the reinforcement is nevertheless not uncontrolled (as opposed to splitting failures), but it is governed by the bending deformations. The bond properties and strength of the reinforcement in actual members are therefore influenced by the opening of these cracks and are potentially different from those observed in classic pull‐out tests.

The present paper aims to address this topic by presenting the results of an experimental investigation with 89 monotonic pull‐out tests performed on cracked ties. The opening of the cracks was controlled while transverse bars – located in the plane of these cracks – were pulled out from the specimens. The tests were performed for crack openings ranging from 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm in order to cover conditions both at the serviceability and ultimate limit states. The results show a very significant influence of in‐plane cracking on both strength and bond‐slip stiffness, with decreasing mechanical performance for increasing crack openings. The performance of different actual anchorage types (straight, hooked, U‐shaped and headed bars) – generally characterized through force‐slip relationships – is finally analytically investigated and compared to the test results.
Depressive symptoms in adolescence: The role of perceived parental support, psychological control, and proactive control in interaction with 5-HTTLPR
Authors: Van Assche E. , Moons T. , Van Leeuwen K. , Colpin H. , Verschueren K. , Van Den Noortgate W. , Goossens L. , Claes S.
Published: April 2016

Background

Parenting dimensions are associated with depressive symptoms in adolescents. We investigated the role of perceived parenting dimensions and gene-environment interactions between these perceived parenting dimensions and five well-known variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs): 5-HTTLPR, STin2, DAT1, DRD4, and MAO-A, in depressive symptoms.

Methods

From a non-clinical sample of 1111 Belgian adolescents (mean age: 13.79 years, SD = .94; 51% boys), 1103 adolescents consented for genetic research. Five VNTRs were analyzed using DNA from saliva samples. Perceived parenting dimensions (i.e., support, proactive control, psychological control, punishment, and harsh punishment) were examined using self-report scales completed by adolescents and their parents. Depressive symptoms were investigated using the CES-D self-report scale. Statistical analyses were performed in R using linear regression.

Results

Parental support, as perceived by the adolescent, was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (CES-D) and psychological control was positively associated with these symptoms. The only interaction effect withstanding correction for multiple testing was observed for 5-HTTLPR and the difference in proactive control as perceived by adolescents in comparison to parents. Short-allele carriers showed more depressive symptoms when there was a higher discrepancy in proactive control as perceived by adolescents versus parents.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that perceived parenting dimensions are associated with depressive symptoms, as measured by the CES-D. We only found modest evidence for 5-HTTLPR as a moderator in the association between the difference in perception of proactive control (adolescents vs. parents) and depressive symptoms.
On the number of ergodic measures for minimal shifts with eventually constant complexity growth
Authors: DAMRON MICHAEL , FICKENSCHER JON
Published: April 2016

In 1985, Boshernitzan showed that a minimal (sub)shift satisfying a linear block growth condition must have a bounded number of ergodic probability measures. Recently, this bound was shown to be sharp through examples constructed by Cyr and Kra. In this paper, we show that under the stronger assumption of eventually constant growth, an improved bound exists. To this end, we introduce special Rauzy graphs. Variants of the well-known Rauzy graphs from symbolic dynamics, these graphs provide an explicit description of how a Rauzy graph for words of length $n$ relates to the one for words of length $n+1$ for each $n=1,2,3,\ldots \,$.
Political Connections, Home Formal Institutions, and Internationalization: Evidence from China
Authors: Du Xingqiang , Luo Jin-hui
Published: April 2016

This study draws on the resource dependence theory and institution-based view to examine political connections in the home market and home formal institutions for their impact on the internationalization of emerging market firms in the context of China. The results suggest that political connections at home may prevent emerging market firms from implementing internationalization strategies by reducing the dependence constraints imposed by local governments and foreign firms, whereas home formal institutional development may promote the strategy transition of emerging market firms from building political connections to international expansion and also reduce the negative impact of political connections. Overall, our findings indicate that political connections and formal institutions at home play an important role in shaping emerging market firms’ strategies of outward internationalization.
Labor Unrest and Incipient Collective Bargaining in China
Authors: Kuruvilla Sarosh , Zhang Hao
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we argue that both labor unrest and collective bargaining are increasing in China. Using McAdam's political process theory, we argue that Chinese workers are striking more and offensively in support of their economic demands. We identify the state's interests in promoting collective bargaining, and through an analysis of union and employers’ organizations, attempt to predict the future trajectory of collective bargaining in China. Using new data about strikes, we confirm our argument that strikes in China are increasing. Based on very limited past and current research, we create a taxonomy of baseline collective bargaining in China against which future developments can be compared.
Detection of a weak late-stage deformation event in granitic gneiss through anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility: implications for tectonic evolution of the Bomdila Gneiss in the Arunachal Lesser Himalaya, Northeast India
Authors: SINGH R. K. BIKRAMADITYA , SINGH A. KRISHNAKANTA , SEN KOUSHIK , SANGODE S. J.
Published: April 2016

Outcrop-scale structures and magnetic fabric anisotropy of the Bomdila Gneiss (BG) that intruded the Lesser Himalayan Crystallines (LHC) of the Arunachal Lesser Himalaya are studied to understand the BG deformation history and tectonic evolution. Detailed analysis of structures reveals that the LHC have undergone three phases of deformation, D1, D2and D3. The S2foliation developed during the second phase of deformation (D2) is the most penetrative planar fabric in the studied rock, which shows a general ENE–WSW strike with moderate NW dip. Mesoscopic evidence of a later phase of deformation (D3) in the BG is lacking. Evidence of D3deformation in the form of F3folds is only observed in the adjacent metasedimentary rocks of the LHC. The magnetic foliations recorded from anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis of the BG are mostly striking NW–SE with a moderate dip towards the NE or SW, and magnetic lineation is mostly sub-horizontal and dominantly plunging towards the SE. Our study shows that the magnetic fabric of the BG does not correspond to any visible outcrop-scale mesoscale foliation. However, the magnetic foliation of the BG is parallel to the axial plane of the F3folds of the adjacent metasedimentary rocks of the LHC. Integration of AMS and outcrop-scale structural analysis helps us envisage the superposed deformation history of the BG. Our study emphasizes the importance of AMS to detect late-stage or feeble deformation events that leave no visible outcrop-scale imprint and are difficult to discern through conventional geological means.
Do Demographics and Functional Abilities Influence Vehicle Type Driven by Older Canadians?
Authors: Vrkljan Brenda , Crizzle Alexander , Villeneuve Simon , Porter Michelle , Koppel Sjaan , Mazer Barbara L. , Naglie Gary , Bédard Michel , Tuokko Holly A. , Gélinas Isabelle , Marshall Shawn C. , Rapoport Mark J.
Published: April 2016

Dans cette étude, nous avons examiné les données de base Candrive (n = 928; âge de 70 à 94; 62% étaient des hommes) pour analyser si les caractéristiques des conducteurs (âge, sexe, taille, poids, IMC) et certaines capacités fonctionnelles (c’est-à-dire, le test de rythme rapide à pied, le test “Up and Go”) ont influencé les types de véhicules conduits. Il y avait des différences significatives en ce qui concerne le type de véhicule et l’âge du conducteur (F = 3,58, p = 0,003), la taille (F = 13,32, p <0,001), le poids (F = 14,31, p <0,001) , et l’IMC (F = 4,40, p = 0,001). Une plus grande proportion de conducteurs qui souffrait d’ostéoporose (χ2 = 21,23, p = 0,020) et ostéo / polyarthrite rhumatoïde (χ2 = 21,23, p = 0,020) conduisait des voitures de petite ou moyenne taille par rapport aux plus grandes tailles. D’autres recherches sont nécessaires pour examiner l’interaction des conducteurs âgés avec leurs véhicules, et la relation à la démographie et aux capacités fonctionnelles, compte tenu de la vulnérabilité de ce groupe d’âge à des blessures automobiles.
Implicit Spoken Words and Motor Sequences Learning Are Impaired in Children with Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Desmottes Lise , Meulemans Thierry , Maillart Christelle
Published: April 2016

Objectives: This study aims to compare verbal and motor implicit sequence learning abilities in children with and without specific language impairment (SLI). Methods: Forty-eight children (24 control and 24 SLI) were administered the Serial Search Task (SST), which enables the simultaneous assessment of implicit spoken words and visuomotor sequences learning. Results: Results showed that control children implicitly learned both the spoken words as well as the motor sequences. In contrast, children with SLI showed deficits in both types of learning. Moreover, correlational analyses revealed that SST performance was linked with grammatical abilities in control children but with lexical abilities in children with SLI. Conclusions: Overall, this pattern of results supports the procedural deficit hypothesis and suggests that domain general implicit sequence learning is impaired in SLI. (JINS, 2016, 22, 1–10)
Rethinking the Two Margins of Appreciation
Authors: Arnardóttir Oddný Mjöll
Published: April 2016

European Court of Human Rights – Subsidiarity – Margin of appreciation – Deference – Theorising the margin of appreciation based on a large case law study – The ‘systemic’ (rethought ‘structural’) element of the margin of appreciation relies on a functional rationale related to the distribution of tasks within the European system for the protection of human rights and is based on non-merits reasons – The ‘normative’ (rethought ‘substantive’) element reflects normative flexibility and is based on merits reasons – Both margins reflect the principle of subsidiarity – The two margins most often interact in partial deference but the systemic margin can also lead to complete deference – Presumptions of complete deference in the case law of the Court – Implications of increased reliance on the systemic margin as the Court moves emphasis from ‘substantive’ to ‘procedural’ review.
EMBRACING THE TECHNICALITIES: EXPRESSIVE COMPLETENESS AND REVENGE
Authors: TOURVILLE NICHOLAS , COOK ROY T
Published: April 2016

The Revenge Problem threatens every approach to the semantic paradoxes that proceeds by introducing nonclassical semantic values. Given any such collection Δ of additional semantic values, one can construct a Revenge sentence:

This sentence is either false or has a value in Δ.

TheEmbracing Revengeview, developed independently by Roy T. Cook and Phlippe Schlenker, addresses this problem by suggesting that the class of nonclassical semantic values is indefinitely extensible, with each successive Revenge sentence introducing a new ‘pathological’ semantic value into the discourse. The view is explicitly motivated in terms of the idea that every notion thatseemsto be expressible (e.g., “has a value in Δ”, for any definite collection of semantic values Δ) should, if at all possible,beexpressible. Extant work on the Embracing Revenge view has failed to live up to this promise, since the formal languages developed within such work are expressively impoverished. We rectify this here by developing a much richer formal language, and semantics for that language, and we then prove an extremely powerful expressive completeness result for the system in question.
Central venous catheter misplaced in the vertebral artery
Authors: Pfammatter Thomas , Götschi Markus , Puippe Gilbert
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Key message: Based on two cases presented and our recently published experience, we think that for the majority of patients with central venous catheters misplaced in the vertebral artery, stent graft placement is the best bailout option.
Alltagswirksamkeit kognitiver Verhaltenstherapie bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Zwangsstörungen in einer Ausbildungsambulanz
Authors: Beig Inga , Döpfner Manfred , Goletz Hildegard , Plück Julia , Dachs Lydia , Kinnen Claudia , Walter Daniel
Published: April 2016

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Zur Behandlung von Zwangsstörungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter gilt die kognitive Verhaltenstherapie (KVT) als Therapiemethode erster Wahl, doch bisher wurde hauptsächlich die Wirksamkeit von streng manualisierter KVT im Rahmen von randomisiert-kontrollierten Studien untersucht. Studien zur Wirksamkeit von Routinetherapien gibt es kaum. Methode: Um die Alltagswirksamkeit von KVT zu überprüfen, wurden über neun Jahre erfasste Daten zu Behandlungsverläufen in einer universitären Ausbildungsambulanz ausgewertet. Für n = 53 Patienten, deren Elternbeurteilungsbögen vorlagen, und n = 53 Patienten, deren Selbstbeurteilungsbögen vorlagen, wurden Prä-Post-Analysen durchgeführt. Ergebnisse: Im Verlauf der Therapie konnten signifikante Reduktionen der Zwangssymptomatik mit hohen Prä-Post-Effektstärken (Cohens d) im Elternurteil (d = 0.91) und im Selbsturteil (d = 0.88) sowie der komorbiden Symptomatik mit mittleren bis hohen Effektstärken auf der Gesamtskalenebene im Elternurteil (d = 0.55 bis d = 0.87) und im Selbsturteil (d = 0.46 bis d = 0.74) gefunden werden. Bei 46.3 % bis 59.4 % der Patienten wurde eine klinisch signifikante Verbesserung mit unauffälliger Zwangssymptomatik zum Posttestzeitpunkt erzielt. Bei zwischen 22.5 % und 45.5 % der Patienten (Elternurteil) bzw. 32.0 % und 81.8 % (Selbsturteil) wurde dies auch hinsichtlich der komorbiden Symptomatik erreicht. Schlussfolgerungen: Im Verlauf einer KVT zur Behandlung von juvenilen Zwangsstörungen in einer universitären Ausbildungsambulanz lassen sich deutliche Verminderungen der Zwangs- und komorbiden Symptomatik nachweisen. Diese Ergebnisse sind ein Hinweis darauf, dass kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutische Routinetherapien eine wirksame Methode zur Behandlung von juvenilen Zwangsstörungen darstellen.

Schlüsselwörter: kognitive Verhaltenstherapie, Kinder und Jugendliche, Zwangsstörung, komorbide Störungen, Alltagswirksamkeit; Routinetherapie
Drawing the Future: Psychosocial Correlates of Palestinian Children’s Drawings
Authors: Kamens Sarah R. , Constandinides Despina , Flefel Fathy
Published: April 2016

The present study examined the relationship between Palestinian children’s drawings of their imagined futures and parental reports of their psychosocial environments. As part of a larger program evaluation project, 51 Palestinian schoolchildren and adolescents (25 females and 26 males; age range: 6–14 years) living in 4 districts in the West Bank participated in drawing sessions in which they drew pictures of their mustakbel, or future. Parents of participating children provided ratings of each child on aspects of their lives at home, in school, and in the community. After the sessions, psychosocial workers (“facilitators”) rated the content and style of the drawings. Results revealed a series of significant relationships between characteristics of the children’s drawings and the parental reports. Facilitators’ ratings of the violent content and distress levels in the drawings were negatively correlated with parental reports of exposure to violent events. In addition, facilitators rated drawings that they saw as high in violent content to be indicative of higher levels of distress in the children who produced them. Results are discussed in terms of the need for future research on professional interpretations of children’s drawings and symbolic expressions of violence in zones of ongoing conflict.
Phase-selective graphene oxide membranes for advanced microfluidic flow control
Authors: Gaughran Jennifer , Boyle David , Murphy James , Kelly Robert , Ducrée Jens
Published: April 2016

For the first time, we harness the unique phase-selectivity of chip-integrated graphene oxide (GO) membranes to significantly enhance flow control on centrifugal microfluidic platforms. In this paper, we present novel processes for the assembly of these GO membranes into polymeric microfluidic systems and demonstrate that multilayer GO membranes allow the passage of water while blocking pressurized air and organic solutions.
Global gene expression profiling of JMJD6- and JMJD4-depleted mouse NIH3T3 fibroblasts
Authors: Hu Yu-Jie , Imbalzano Anthony N.
Published: April 2016

Emerging evidence suggests Jumonji domain-containing proteins are epigenetic regulators in diverse biological processes including cellular differentiation and proliferation. RNA interference-based analyses combined with gene expression profiling can effectively characterize the cellular functions of these enzymes. We found that the depletion of Jumonji domain-containing protein 6 (JMJD6) and its paralog protein Jumonji domain-containing protein 4 (JMJD4) individually by small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) slowed cell proliferation of mouse NIH3T3 fibroblasts. We subsequently performed gene expression profiling on both JMJD6- and JMJD4-depleted mouse NIH3T3 fibroblasts using the Affymetrix GeneChip Mouse Exon 1.0 ST Array. Here we report the gene profiling datasets along with the experimental procedures. The information can be used to further investigate how JMJD6 and JMJD4 affect gene expression and cellular physiology.
TALENs-directed knockout of the full-length transcription factor Nrf1α that represses malignant behaviour of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells
Authors: Ren Yonggang , Qiu Lu , Lü Fenglin , Ru Xufang , Li Shaojun , Xiang Yuancai , Yu Siwang , Zhang Yiguo
Published: April 2016

The full-length Nrf1α is processed into distinct isoforms, which together regulate genes essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and organ integrity and liver-specific loss of Nrf1 in mice results in spontaneous hepatoma. Herein, we report that the human constitutive Nrf1α, rather than smaller Nrf1β/γ, expression is attenuated or abolished in the case of low-differentiated high-metastatic hepatocellular carcinomas. Therefore, Nrf1α is of importance in the physio-pathological origin and development, but its specific pathobiological function(s) remains elusive. To address this, TALENs-directed knockout of Nrf1α, but not Nrf1β/γ, is created in the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. The resulting Nrf1α−/− cells are elongated, with slender spindle-shapes and enlarged gaps between cells observed under scanning electron microscope. When compared with wild-type controls, the invasive and migratory abilities of Nrf1α−/− cells are increased significantly, along with the cell-cycle G2-M arrest and S-phase reduction, as accompanied by suppressed apoptosis. Despite a modest increase in the soft-agar colony formation of Nrf1α−/− cells, its loss-of-function markedly promotes malgrowth of the subcutaneous carcinoma xenograft in nude mice with hepatic metastasis. Together with molecular expression results, we thus suppose requirement of Nrf1α (and major derivates) for gene regulatory mechanisms repressing cancer cell process (e.g. EMT) and malignant behaviour (e.g. migration).
Achieving High Performance in AC-Field Driven Organic Light Sources
Authors: Xu Junwei , Carroll David L. , Smith Gregory M. , Dun Chaochao , Cui Yue
Published: April 2016

Charge balance in organic light emitting structures is essential to simultaneously achieving high brightness and high efficiency. In DC-driven organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), this is relatively straight forward. However, in the newly emerging, capacitive, field-activated AC-driven organic devices, charge balance can be a challenge. In this work we introduce the concept of gating the compensation charge in AC-driven organic devices and demonstrate that this can result in exceptional increases in device performance. To do this we replace the insulator layer in a typical field-activated organic light emitting device with a nanostructured, wide band gap semiconductor layer. This layer acts as a gate between the emitter layer and the voltage contact. Time resolved device characterization shows that, at high-frequencies (over 40 kHz), the semiconductor layer allows for charge accumulation in the forward bias, light generating part of the AC cycle and charge compensation in the negative, quiescent part of the AC cycle. Such gated AC organic devices can achieve a non-output coupled luminance of 25,900 cd/m2 with power efficiencies that exceed both the insulator-based AC devices and OLEDs using the same emitters. This work clearly demonstrates that by realizing balanced management of charge, AC-driven organic light emitting devices may well be able to rival today’s OLEDs in performance.
IEX-1 deficiency induces browning of white adipose tissue and resists diet-induced obesity
Authors: Shahid Mohd , Javed Ammar A. , Chandra David , Ramsey Haley E. , Shah Dilip , Khan Mohammed F. , Zhao Liping , Wu Mei X.
Published: April 2016

Chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance. However, the primary mediators that affect energy homeostasis remain ill defined. Here, we report an unexpected role for immediate early response gene X-1 (IEX-1), a downstream target of NF-κB, in energy metabolism. We found that IEX-1 expression was highly induced in white adipose tissue (WAT) in both epidydmal and subcutaneous depots but not in interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD). Null mutation of IEX-1 protected mice against HFD-induced adipose and hepatic inflammation, hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. Unexpectedly, IEX-1 knockout (IEX-1−/−) mice gained markedly less weight on HFD for 20 weeks as compared to wild-type (WT) littermates (37 ± 3 versus 48 ± 2 gm) due to increased energy expenditure. Mechanistically, we showed that IEX-1 deficiency induced browning and activated thermogenic genes program in WAT but not in BAT by promoting alternative activation of adipose macrophages. Consequently, IEX-1−/− mice exhibited enhanced thermogenesis (24 ± 0.1 versus 22 ± 0.1 kcal/hour/kg in WT mice) explaining increased energy expenditure and lean phenotype in these mice. In conclusion, the present study suggests that IEX-1 is a novel physiological regulator of energy homeostasis via its action in WAT.
Molecular Recognition of Biomolecules by Chiral CdSe Quantum Dots
Authors: Mukhina Maria V. , Korsakov Ivan V. , Maslov Vladimir G. , Purcell-Milton Finn , Govan Joseph , Baranov Alexander V. , Fedorov Anatoly V. , Gun’ko Yurii K.
Published: April 2016

Molecular recognition is one of the most important phenomena in Chemistry and Biology. Here we present a new way of enantiomeric molecular recognition using intrinsically chiral semiconductor nanocrystals as assays. Real-time confocal microscopy studies supported by circular dichroism spectroscopy data and theoretical modelling indicate an ability of left-handed molecules of cysteine and, to a smaller extent, histidine and arginine to discriminate between surfaces of left- and right-handed nanocrystals.
Population Dynamics of Bulking and Foaming Bacteria in a Full-scale Wastewater Treatment Plant over Five Years
Authors: Jiang Xiao-Tao , Guo Feng , Zhang Tong
Published: April 2016

Bulking and foaming are two notorious problems in activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which are mainly associated with the excessive growth of bulking and foaming bacteria (BFB). However, studies on affecting factors of BFB in full-scale WWTPs are still limited. In this study, data sets of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of 16S V3–V4 amplicons of 58 monthly activated sludge samples from a municipal WWTP was re-analyzed to investigate the BFB dynamics and further to study the determinative factors. The population of BFB occupied 0.6~36% (averagely 8.5% ± 7.3%) of the total bacteria and showed seasonal variations with higher abundance in winter-spring than summer-autumn. Pair-wise correlation analysis and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) showed that Gordonia sp. was positively correlated with NO2-N and negatively correlated with NO3-N and Nostocodia limicola II Tetraspharea sp. was negatively correlated with temperature and positively correlated with NH3-N in activated sludge. Bacteria species correlated with BFB could be clustered into two negatively related modules. Moreover, with intensive time series sampling, the dominant BFB could be accurately modeled with environmental interaction network, i.e. environmental parameters and biotic interactions between BFB and related bacteria, indicating that abiotic and biotic factors were both crucial to the dynamics of BFB.
Accurate quantification of supercoiled DNA by digital PCR
Authors: Dong Lianhua , Yoo Hee-Bong , Wang Jing , Park Sang-Ryoul
Published: April 2016

Digital PCR (dPCR) as an enumeration-based quantification method is capable of quantifying the DNA copy number without the help of standards. However, it can generate false results when the PCR conditions are not optimized. A recent international comparison (CCQM P154) showed that most laboratories significantly underestimated the concentration of supercoiled plasmid DNA by dPCR. Mostly, supercoiled DNAs are linearized before dPCR to avoid such underestimations. The present study was conducted to overcome this problem. In the bilateral comparison, the National Institute of Metrology, China (NIM) optimized and applied dPCR for supercoiled DNA determination, whereas Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) prepared the unknown samples and quantified them by flow cytometry. In this study, several factors like selection of the PCR master mix, the fluorescent label, and the position of the primers were evaluated for quantifying supercoiled DNA by dPCR. This work confirmed that a 16S PCR master mix avoided poor amplification of the supercoiled DNA, whereas HEX labels on dPCR probe resulted in robust amplification curves. Optimizing the dPCR assay based on these two observations resulted in accurate quantification of supercoiled DNA without preanalytical linearization. This result was validated in close agreement (101~113%) with the result from flow cytometry.
Fungal naphtho-γ-pyrones: Potent antibiotics for drug-resistant microbial pathogens
Authors: He Yan , Tian Jun , Chen Xintao , Sun Weiguang , Zhu Hucheng , Li Qin , Lei Liang , Yao Guangmin , Xue Yongbo , Wang Jianping , Li Hua , Zhang Yonghui
Published: April 2016

Four naphtho-γ-pyrones (fonsecinones A and C and aurasperones A and E) were identified as potential antibacterial agents againstEscherichia coli, extended-spectrumβ-lactamase (ESBL)-producingE. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) in anin vitroantibacterial screen of 218 fungal metabolites. Fonsecinone A (2) exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 4.26, 17.04, and 4.26 μg/mL against ESBL-producingE. coli, P. aeruginosa, andE. faecalis, respectively. The inhibitory effects of fonsecinones A (2) and C (3) againstE. coliand ESBL-producingE. coliwere comparable to those of amikacin. Molecular docking-based target identification of naphtho-γ-pyrones1–8revealed bacterial enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (FabI) as an antibacterial target, which was further validated by FabI affinity and inhibition assays. Fonsecinones A (2) and C (3) and aurasperones A (6) and E (7) bound FabI specifically and produced concentration-dependent inhibition effects. This work is the first report of anti-drug-resistant bacterial activities of naphtho-γ-pyrones1–8and their possible antibacterial mechanism of action and provides an example of the successful application ofin silicomethods for drug target identification and validation and the identification of new lead antibiotic compounds against drug-resistant pathogens.
Rosa26-targeted sheep gene knock-in via CRISPR-Cas9 system
Authors: Wu Mingming , Wei Caihong , Lian Zhengxing , Liu Ruizao , Zhu Caiye , Wang Huihua , Cao Jiaxue , Shen Yuelei , Zhao Fuping , Zhang Li , Mu Zhu , Wang Yayu , Wang Xiaogang , Du Lixin , Wang Chuduan
Published: April 2016

Recent advances in our ability to design DNA binding factors with specificity for desired sequences have resulted in a revolution in genetic engineering, enabling directed changes to the genome to be made relatively easily. Technologies that facilitate specific and precise genome editing, such as knock-in, are critical for determining the functions of genes and for understanding fundamental biological processes. The CRISPR/Cas9 system has recently emerged as a powerful tool for functional genomic studies in mammals. Rosa26 gene can encode a non-essential nuclear RNA in almost all organizations, and become a hot point of exogenous gene insertion. Here, we describe efficient, precise CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Integration using a donor vector with tGFP sequence targeted in the sheep genomic Rosa26 locus. We succeeded in integrating with high efficiency an exogenous tGFP (turboGFP) gene into targeted genes in frame. Due to its simplicity, design flexibility, and high efficiency, we propose that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in will become a standard method for the generation transgenic sheep.
The relative diffusive transport rate of SrI2in water changes over the nanometer length scale as measured by coherent quasielastic neutron scattering
Authors: Rubinson Kenneth A. , Faraone Antonio
Published: April 2016

Neutron scattering has been used to measure the relative motions of ions in water as a function of the average separation between the ions and finds a complicated distance dependence that shows continuum hydrodynamics cannot apply on the nm length scale.
Demonstrating the steady performance of iron oxide composites over 2000 cycles at fast charge-rates for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Sun Z. , Madej E. , Genç A. , Muhler M. , Arbiol J. , Schuhmann W. , Ventosa E.
Published: April 2016

The feasibility of using iron oxide as negative electrode materials for safe high-power Li-ion batteries is demonstrated by a carbon-coated FeOx/CNTs composite which delivered specific capacity retention of 84% (445 mA h g−1) after 2000 cycles at 2000 mA g−1 (4C).
A smart switchable module for the detection of multiple ions via turn-on dual-optical readout and their cell imaging studies
Authors: Rai Abhishek , Singh Alok Kumar , Sonkar Avinash Kumar , Prakash Anand , Roy Jagat Kumar , Nagarajan Rajamani , Mishra Lallan
Published: April 2016

A rhodamine based switchable module, RHTH, displays multi-stimuli responses and logic gate based detection of Fe3+, Hg2+, CN− and S2− ions at ppm levels together with the imaging of these cations in HeLa cell lines.
Kinetics of carbonate mineral dissolution in CO2-acidified brines at storage reservoir conditions
Authors: Peng Cheng , Anabaraonye Benaiah U. , Crawshaw John P. , Maitland Geoffrey C. , Trusler J. P. Martin
Published: April 2016

We report experimental measurements of the dissolution rate of several carbonate minerals in CO2-saturated water or brine at temperatures between 323 K and 373 K and at pressures up to 15 MPa. The dissolution kinetics of pure calcite were studied in CO2-saturated NaCl brines with molalities of up to 5 mol kg−1. The results of these experiments were found to depend only weakly on the brine molality and to conform reasonably well with a kinetic model involving two parallel first-order reactions: one involving reactions with protons and the other involving reaction with carbonic acid. The dissolution rates of dolomite and magnesite were studied in both aqueous HCl solution and in CO2-saturated water. For these minerals, the dissolution rates could be explained by a simpler kinetic model involving only direct reaction between protons and the mineral surface. Finally, the rates of dissolution of two carbonate-reservoir analogue minerals (Ketton limestone and North-Sea chalk) in CO2-saturated water were found to follow the same kinetics as found for pure calcite. Vertical scanning interferometry was used to study the surface morphology of unreacted and reacted samples. The results of the present study may find application in reactive-flow simulations of CO2-injection into carbonate-mineral saline aquifers.
Development of an E. coli strain for one-pot biofuel production from ionic liquid pretreated cellulose and switchgrass
Authors: Frederix Marijke , Mingardon Florence , Hu Matthew , Sun Ning , Pray Todd , Singh Seema , Simmons Blake A. , Keasling Jay D. , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila
Published: April 2016

Integrating an ionic liquid tolerantE. colistrain with an ionic liquid tolerant cellulase for bioconversion of pretreated hydrolysate and cellulose to a bio jet-fuel precursor.
Microfluidics: an enabling screening technology for enhanced oil recovery (EOR)
Authors: Lifton Victor A.
Published: April 2016

Recent applications of microfluidics and microtechnology are reviewed to show that microfluidic devices can be useful tools in investigation and visualization of such processes used in the Oil & Gas industry as enhanced oil recovery, fluid propagation, flooding, fracturing, emulsification and many others.
Theoretical studies on CuCl-catalyzed C–H activation/C–O coupling reactions: oxidant and catalyst effects
Authors: Zhang Lu-Lu , Li Shi-Jun , Zhang Lei , Fang De-Cai
Published: April 2016

The competition between oxidation addition and oxidative radical generation could rationalize the oxidant effect.
Synthesis and micellization of redox-responsive dynamic covalent multi-block copolymers
Authors: Hu Wei , He Changyu , Tan Lianjiang , Liu Bingya , Zhu Zhenggang , Gong Bing , Shen Yu-Mei , Shao Zhifeng
Published: April 2016

Multi-block copolymers, which are composed of two or more covalent interconnected polymeric segments of different types, offer unparalleled opportunities for designing new nanostructured materials with enhanced functionality and properties.
Dipyrrin complex assisted in situ synthesis of ultra-small gold nanoparticles decorated on a partially reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for efficient catalytic reduction of Cr(vi) to Cr(iii)
Authors: Gupta Rakesh Kumar , Kumar Vinod , Srivastava Anchal , Pandey Daya Shankar
Published: April 2016

Applicability of a novel heteroleptic dipyrrin complex exhibiting dual functionality (reducing and capping agent) in rapid synthesis of small sized AuNPs has been described.
Concentration dependent effect of CuCl2 on the photocatalytic degradation of phenol over anatase, rutile and brookite TiO2
Authors: Xiong Xianqiang , Zhang Xiao , Xu Yiming
Published: April 2016

A mechanism for the positive and negative effect of CuCl2 on the TiO2-photocatalytic degradation of phenol is proposed.
Controllable synthesis of conjugated thio-phenylethyne-based compounds with different chain lengths
Authors: Huang Wei , Zhu Haoyun , Huang Yuli , Yang Junwei , Wang Weizhi
Published: April 2016

A series of compounds consisting of alternating thiophene and acetylene units were designed and synthesized. Some were applied as the semiconductor in FETs to show excellent performance. 2D-GIXRD was employed to study the molecular orientations.
Spin-dependent metallic properties of a functionalized MoS2 monolayer
Authors: Sharma Munish , Loh G. C. , Wang Gaoxue , Pandey Ravindra , Karna Shashi P. , Ahluwalia P. K.
Published: April 2016

Stability and electronic properties of a two-dimensional MoS2 monolayer functionalized with atomic wires of Fe and Co are investigated using density functional theory.
Tuning the electronic properties of graphene oxide nanoribbons with armchair edges through lithium doping
Authors: Wang Weihua , Zhao Cuilan , Li Peifang
Published: April 2016

The electronic properties of armchair graphene oxide nanoribbons doped with lithium atoms at one-edge, centre and both-edge, in comparison with the H-terminated cases are investigated using density functional theory.
A thorough spectroscopic study of luminescent precursor solution of Y3Al5O12:Tb3+: influence of acetylacetone
Authors: Potdevin A. , Briois V. , Caperaa N. , Santilli C. V. , Chadeyron G. , Mahiou R.
Published: April 2016

Upon blue excitation, acac-modified solutions present significantly higher luminescence compared to unmodified ones due to the presence of pre-nuclei of YAG:Tb structure which is very interesting for using them for optical applications.
Phosphorus-containing polyimide fibers and their thermal properties
Authors: Serbezeanu Diana , Butnaru Irina , Varganici Cristian-Dragos , Bruma Maria , Fortunato Giuseppino , Gaan Sabyasachi
Published: April 2016

Submicron fibers based on phosphorus-containing polyimide were successfully prepared and characterized for their thermal properties.
The formation mechanism of Janus nanostructures in one-pot reactions: the case of Ag–Ag8GeS6
Authors: van Embden Joel , Bourgeois Laure , Della Gaspera Enrico , Waddington Lynne , Yin Yuefeng , Medhekar Nikhil V. , Jasieniak Jacek J. , Chesman Anthony S. R.
Published: April 2016

Using Ag–Ag8GeS6 as a model system, a novel strategy for the formation of Ag-based Janus nanostructures is presented.
Tailoring atomic distribution in micron-sized and spherical Li-rich layered oxides as cathode materials for advanced lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Hou Peiyu , Li Guoran , Gao Xueping
Published: April 2016

A concentration-gradient doping strategy is introduced into micron-sized spherical Li-rich layered oxides. As a result, they exhibit high volumetric energy density, long cycle life and enhanced thermal stability.
Phosphoinositides in membrane contact sites
Authors: Raiborg Camilla , Wenzel Eva M. , Pedersen Nina M. , Stenmark Harald
Published: April 2016

Cellular membranes communicate extensively via contact sites that form between two membranes. Such sites allow exchange of specific ions, lipids or proteins between two compartments without content mixing, thereby preserving organellar architecture during the transfer process. Even though the molecular compositions of membrane contact sites are diverse, it is striking that several of these sites, including contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and endosomes, Golgi and the plasma membrane (PM), and contact sites between lysosomes and peroxisomes, contain phosphorylated derivatives of phosphatidylinositol known as phosphoinositides. In this mini-review we discuss the involvement and functions of phosphoinositides in membrane contact sites.
Blood triacylglycerols: a lipidomic window on diet and disease
Authors: Sanders Francis , McNally Ben , Griffin Julian L.
Published: April 2016

Although the measurement of triacylglycerols (TAGs) by clinical chemistry has been used in the diagnosis of a range of metabolic diseases, such approaches ignore the different species of TAGs that contribute to the total concentration. With the advent of LC and direct infusion forms of MS it is now possible to profile the individual TAGs in blood plasma or tissue extracts. This mini review surveys the information that is obtainable from the lipidomic profiling of TAGs in following metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as the development of insulin resistance and obesity.