bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrospun vascular grafts with improved compliance matching to native vessels
Authors: Nezarati Roya M. , Eifert Michelle B. , Dempsey David K. , Cosgriff‐Hernandez Elizabeth
Published: May 2014

Coronary artery bypass grafting is one of the most commonly performed major surgeries in the United States. Autologous vessels such as the saphenous vein are the current gold standard for treatment; however, synthetic vascular prostheses made of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) or poly(ethylene terephthalate) are used when autologous vessels are unavailable. These synthetic grafts have a high failure rate in small diameter (<4 mm) applications due to rapid reocclusion via intimal hyperplasia. Current strategies to improve clinical performance are focused on preventing intimal hyperplasia by fabricating grafts with compliance and burst pressure similar to native vessels. To this end, we have developed an electrospun vascular graft from segmented polyurethanes with tunable properties by altering material chemistry and graft microarchitecture. Relationships between polyurethane tensile properties and biomechanical properties were elucidated to select polymers with desirable properties. Graft thickness, fiber tortuosity, and fiber fusions were modulated to provide additional tools for controlling graft properties. Using a combination of these strategies, a vascular graft with compliance and burst pressure exceeding the saphenous vein autograft was fabricated (compliance = 6.0 ± 0.6%/mmHg × 10−4, burst pressure = 2260 ± 160 mmHg). This graft is hypothesized to reduce intimal hyperplasia associated with low compliance in synthetic grafts and improve long‐term clinical success. Additionally, the fundamental relationships between electrospun mesh microarchitecture and mechanical properties identified in this work can be utilized in various biomedical applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 313–323, 2015.
Synthesis of Spiropyrrolidines via Five‐Component 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides and Olefinic Dipolarophiles Generated In Situ Simultaneously
Authors: Liu Fang‐Hui , Song Yu‐Bao , Zhai Li‐Juan , Li Ming
Published: May 2014

An efficient and straightforward five‐component cascade protocol has been developed to synthesize the highly substituted dispiroindenoquinoxaline pyrrolidine derivatives from ninhydrin, 1,2‐phenylenediamine, sarcosine, 1,3‐indanedione, and aldehydes via cascade reactions under mild conditions, in which 1,3‐dipole azomethine ylide and the dipolarophile were simultaneously generated in situ. This novel method is complementary to the classical Huisgen cycloaddition in that it is well‐suited to the preparation of dispiroindenoquinoxaline pyrrolidine derivatives.
A Convenient Synthesis of Pyridophenanthroline Derivatives under Catalyst Free Conditions
Authors: Mu Xing‐Ye , Li Chao , Li Yu‐Ling , Liu Yun , Wang Xiang‐Shan
Published: May 2014

A three‐component reaction between an aromatic aldehyde, quinolin‐6‐amine or quinolin‐5‐amine, and tert‐butyl 2,4‐dioxopiperidine‐1‐carboxylate in reflux EtOH gave pyrido phenanthroline derivatives in high yields under catalyst free conditions. The rare C‐H…F hydrogen bond is found in the crystal structure of 6h.
Breast conservation: Is the survival better for mastectomy?
Authors: Hwang E. Shelley
Published: May 2014

Breast conserving therapy with radiation is now firmly established as an effective treatment option for early stage disease, and has been thought for decades to yield equivalent survival outcomes to mastectomy. However, recently published observational studies as well as meta‐analyses suggest not only a locoregional, but possibly a systemic benefit to BCT. Choice of surgery and radiation is only one of numerous factors impacting survival following surgery for early stage breast cancer; competing comorbidities and risk of treatment related side effects from radiotherapy must also be considered in order to make optimal treatment recommendations. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 110:58–61. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Poly(methacrylates) with Pendant Benzoquinone Units – Monomer Synthesis, Polymerization, and Electrochemical Behavior: Potential New Polymer Systems for Organic Batteries
Authors: Häupler Bernhard , Ignaszak Anna , Janoschka Tobias , Jähnert Thomas , Hager Martin D. , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: May 2014

Redox‐active polymers became the focus of attention in the field of organic electronics during the last decade. Quinoide systems are intensively studied in this field. Although benzoquinones are generally known as radical scavengers, certain monomers can be polymerized by radical polymerization techniques. For this purpose, methacrylate functionalities are attached to the redox‐active quinone moiety. A free‐radical polymerization technique is applied utilizing AIBN as initiator. The molar mass can be adjusted by the choice of an appropriate solvent system. Electrochemical investigations of these new monomers and polymers, in particular cyclic voltammetry, are performed in aqueous and non‐aqueous electrolytes in the dissolved and solid states, showing the potential usefulness of the system for applications in organic radical batteries.

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Boron‐Ketoiminate‐Based Polymers: Fine‐Tuning of the Emission Color and Expression of Strong Emission Both in the Solution and Film States
Authors: Yoshii Ryousuke , Nagai Atsushi , Tanaka Kazuo , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: May 2014

In this research, the synthesis of boron‐ketoiminate‐containing polymers is reported with large molecular weights ( = 20 000) and their optical properties are examined by UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectrometries. It is shown that the polymers exhibit strong emission both in the solution and solid states (Φ PL,THF = 0.46–0.80, Φ PL,film = 0.13–0.38). These optical properties can be explained by a donor–acceptor interaction between the boron ketoiminate and the electron‐donating comonomer such as fluorene or bithiophene. Furthermore, in the solid states, their emission colors can be successfully tuned from blue to orange by the substituents on the nitrogen atom with the difference of the steric hindrance (λ PL,THF = 464–546 nm, λ PL,film = 486–604 nm).

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Korn's inequalities for generalized external cusps
Authors: Acosta Gabriel , Ojea Ignacio
Published: May 2014

In this paper, we consider a general class of external cusps defined by linking appropriate collections of John domains. For that class, weighted Korn inequalities are proved by means of rather elementary arguments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fine singularity analysis of solutions to the Laplace equation
Authors: Kubica Adam , Rybka Piotr
Published: May 2014

We present here a fine singularity analysis of solutions to the Laplace equation in special polygonal domains in the plane. We assume piecewise constant Neumann data on one component of the boundary. Our motivation is to study the so‐called Berg effect, which is explained in the introduction. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evolution of phase segregation and eutectic structures in AgPb18SbTe20
Authors: Dadda Jayaram , Müller Eckhard , Perlt Susanne , Höche Thomas , Hermann Raphael , Neubrand Achim
Published: May 2014

The evolution of phase segregation in stoichiometric quenched AgPbmSbTe2+m (m = 18, Lead–Antimony–Silver–Tellurium – LAST‐18) compounds was studied starting from the known pseudo‐binary diagrams among Ag2Te, PbTe, Sb2Te3 and AgSbTe2. The compositions of secondary phases indicate that liquid phase during cooling, even under quenching conditions, follows mainly the liquidus line on the 2PbTe–Ag0.45Sb0.55Te1.05 quasi‐binary section of the phase diagram until it reaches a critical point (18 mol.% of 2PbTe) and then turns to Ag2Te‐ and Sb2Te3‐rich sides of quasi‐ternary system. This has led to the formation of various secondary phases at various stages during the solidification, whose microstructural features and morphology strongly depend upon their chemical composition. Moreover, during solidification the local compositional fluctuations of liquid phase in combination with the shift of liquid composition towards Sb‐rich side of the phase diagram resulted in the development of eutectic microstructures in some regions of LAST‐18 matrix phase. This suggests there exists a miscibility gap and eutectic point below 600 °C on the 2PbTe–Ag0.45Sb0.55Te1.05 boundary line. These eutectic lamellar structures with a cumulative composition close to LAST‐3 are on the 200–500 nm length scales and possess thermal conductivity of 0.55–0.65 W/m K at room temperature. The low thermal conductivity of lamellar eutectic structures was later confirmed on bulk samples using laser flash analysis, where the samples were synthesized by quenching and annealing. The results clearly demonstrate that one can engineer the microstructures in LAST compounds by selecting the appropriate initial composition from quasi PbTe–Ag2Te–Sb2Te3 ternary phase diagram to lower the thermal conductivity further.
Interacting magnetic cluster‐spin glasses and strain glasses in Ni–Mn based Heusler structured intermetallics
Authors: Entel Peter , Gruner Markus E. , Comtesse Denis , Sokolovskiy Vladimir V. , Buchelnikov Vasiliy D.
Published: May 2014

Magnetic Ni–Mn based Heusler intermetallics show complex magnetic behavior in connection with martensitic transformations (see, for instance, the phase diagram of Ni–Co–Mn–Sn on the right‐hand side). The cubic austenitic phase at high temperature shows long‐range ferromagnetic order which can considerably be weakened by the appearance of competing antiferromagnetic interactions which are induced by Mn excess and chemical disorder. With decreasing temperature a martensitic/magnetostructural transformation takes place from cubic to non‐modulated/modulated tetragonal/monoclinic or orthorhombic structure, where long‐range ferromagnetic order can no longer be maintained, leading to superparamagnetic behavior. At still lower temperatures superparamagnetism changes to superspin glass because of strong competition of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions and chemical disorder. In addition, disorder and local structural distortions can lead to strain glass in austenite, as observed for some non‐magnetic martensitic systems. The magnetic intermetallics are of technological importance in view of their functional properties involving magnetic shape‐memory and exchange‐bias effects as well as magnetocaloric effects. The ‘ferroic cooling’ is of particular relevance since it avoids the use of ozone‐depleting and greenhouse chemicals compared with conventional fluid‐compression technology.

Experimental phase diagram of for . Here, is the Curie temperature of austenite; at the system transforms to paramagnetic martensite and at to superparamagnetic martensite (SPM) and then to superspin‐glass martensite (SSG) at . The possible strain‐glass phases (labeled by question marks) are predicted because of kinetic arrest phenomena and local distortions associated with the magnetostructural transition and ergodicity breaking by field‐cooling/zero‐field‐cooling experiments.
Approaches for a Fast Analysis System for Hot Rolling Processes
Authors: Graf Marcel , Kawalla Rudolf
Published: May 2014

The utilization of modern simulation systems offers new ways for an environment‐ and resource‐friendly research and development of materials and their production technologies. Nowadays, technological parameters, which are significantly influencing the material's behavior, such as temperature development and mechanical properties of a semi‐finished product, can be analyzed and modified on screen. However, in order to describe these more and more complex processes, a holistic view on the entire process chain as well as on the interaction of several parameters is required. Recently, a simulation program for rolling processes has been developed at the Institute of Metal Forming at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, which is supposed to be able to manage and to control production plants using rapid solution algorithms. This program also makes contribution to the design and concept of new materials, technologies, and plant configurations using a holistic approach.
Enhancing the activity of Bacillus circulans xylanase by modulating the flexibility of the hinge region
Authors: Kazuyo Fukura , Hong So Yeon , Yeon Young Joo , Joo Jeong Chan , Yoo Young Je
Published: May 2014

Enzymes undergo multiple conformational changes in solution, and these dynamics are considered to play a critical role in enzyme activity. Hinge-bending motions, resulting from reciprocal movements of dynamical quasi-rigid bodies, are thought to be related to turnover rate and are affected by the physical properties of the hinge regions. In this study, hinge identification and flexibility modification of the regions by mutagenesis were conducted to explore the relationship between hinge flexibility and catalytic activity. Bacillus circulans xylanase was selected for the identification and mutation of the hinge regions. As a result, turnover rate (V  max) was improved approximately twofold in mutants that have more rigid hinge structure, despite the decrease in K  m and V  max/K  m. This result indicates that the rigidly mutated hinge has positive effects on B. circulans xylanase activity.
Hepatic PPARγ and LXRα independently regulate lipid accumulation in the livers of genetically obese mice
Authors: Matsusue Kimihiko , Aibara Daisuke , Hayafuchi Risa , Matsuo Kohei , Takiguchi Soichi , Gonzalez Frank J. , Yamano Shigeru
Published: May 2014

The nuclear hormone receptors liver X receptor α (LXRα) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) play key roles in the development of fatty liver. To determine the link between hepatic PPARγ and LXRα signaling and the development of fatty liver, a LXRα‐specific ligand, T0901317, was administered to normal OB/OB and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice lacking hepatic PPARγ (Pparγ
ΔH). In ob/ob‐Pparγ
ΔH and OB/OB‐Pparγ
ΔH mice, as well as ob/ob‐Pparγ
WT and OB/OB‐Pparγ
WT mice, the liver weights and hepatic triglyceride levels were markedly increased in response to T0901317 treatment. These results suggest that hepatic PPARγ and LXRα signals independently contribute to the development of fatty liver.
High‐throughput single‐molecule studies of protein–DNA interactions
Authors: Robison Aaron D. , Finkelstein Ilya J.
Published: May 2014

Fluorescence and force‐based single‐molecule studies of protein–nucleic acid interactions continue to shed critical insights into many aspects of DNA and RNA processing. As single‐molecule assays are inherently low‐throughput, obtaining statistically relevant datasets remains a major challenge. Additionally, most fluorescence‐based single‐molecule particle‐tracking assays are limited to observing fluorescent proteins that are in the low‐nanomolar range, as spurious background signals predominate at higher fluorophore concentrations. These technical limitations have traditionally limited the types of questions that could be addressed via single‐molecule methods. In this review, we describe new approaches for high‐throughput and high‐concentration single‐molecule biochemical studies. We conclude with a discussion of outstanding challenges for the single‐molecule biologist and how these challenges can be tackled to further approach the biochemical complexity of the cell.
4D ultrasound study of fetal facial expressions at 20–24 weeks of gestation
Authors: Sato Miki , Kanenishi Kenji , Hanaoka Uiko , Noguchi Junko , Marumo Genzo , Hata Toshiyuki
Published: May 2014

Objective

To assess the frequency of fetal facial expressions at 20–24 weeks of gestation using four‐dimensional (4D) ultrasonography and to determine whether there was any correlation between facial expression and gestational age (20–34 weeks).

Methods

The facial expressions of 23 healthy fetuses were examined using 4D ultrasound at 20–24 weeks. Each fetus was recorded continuously for 15 minutes. The frequencies of mouthing, yawning, smiling, tongue expulsion, scowling, sucking, and blinking were assessed and the data combined with those expressions observed at 25–34 weeks of gestation in two previous studies (n = 34) to determine the correlation between gestational age and each of the facial expressions.

Results

Mouthing was significantly more frequent than the other six facial expressions at 20–24 weeks (P < 0.05). Yawning was significantly more frequent than smiling, scowling, and blinking (P < 0.05), and sucking was significantly more frequent than smiling, scowling, and blinking (P < 0.05). The frequency of yawning, smiling, tongue expulsion, scowling, and blinking increased with gestational age (P < 0.05). Mouthing movement and sucking frequencies remained constant between 20 and 34 weeks.

Conclusion

Frequencies of complicated facial expressions such as smiling and scowling may increase with advancing gestation owing to the development of the fetal brain and central nervous system.
Slug regulates E‐cadherin repression via p19Arf in prostate tumorigenesis
Authors: Xie Yingqiu , Liu Shenji , Lu Wenfu , Yang Qing , Williams Kieosha D. , Binhazim Awadh A. , Carver Brett S. , Matusik Robert J. , Chen Zhenbang
Published: May 2014

SLUG represses E‐cadherin to promote epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in various cancers. Mechanisms that regulate SLUG/E‐cadherin pathway remain poorly understood, especially during tumorigenesis in vivo. Here we report that p19Arf (p14ARF in human) stabilizes Slug to inhibit E‐cadherin in prostate cancer mouse models. Inactivation of p19Arf reduces Slug levels, resulting in increased E‐cadherin expression and delaying the onset and progression of prostate cancer in Pten/Trp53 double null mice. Mechanistically, p14ARF stabilizes SLUG through increased sumoylation at lysine residue 192. Importantly, levels of SLUG and p14ARF are positively correlated in human prostate cancer specimens. These data demonstrated that ARF modulates the SLUG/E‐cadherin signaling axis for augmenting prostate tumorigenesis in vivo, revealing a novel paradigm where the oncogenic functions of SLUG require ARF to target E‐cadherin in prostate cancer. Collectively, our findings further support that ARF has dual tumor suppressive/oncogenic roles in cancers in a context‐dependent manner.
A Randomised Controlled Trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Avdagic Elbina , Morrissey Shirley A. , Boschen Mark J.
Published: May 2014

The study examined the relative efficacy of group acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) compared to group cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Fifty-one individuals with GAD were randomly allocated to a 6-week intervention, either ACT or CBT. Participants were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up on symptom measures, quality of life, and process measures. Data from 38 participants (19 in each group) were available at post-assessment, indicating significant improvements on all measures for both treatment conditions. Treatment gains were maintained at follow-up, with significant further improvements in anxiety, depression and stress symptoms for both groups. While no between-group differences were found at treatment completion, a significant interaction indicating steeper reduction in worrying symptoms (d = .79) from pre- to post-assessment was found for the ACT group compared to the CBT group. Furthermore, in relation to worrying, at treatment completion 78.9% of participants in the ACT group achieved reliable change compared to 47.4% of participants in the CBT group. However, both groups showed equivalent reliable change rates of 60% at the follow-up assessment. The results suggest that group ACT was as efficacious as group CBT. While participants in the ACT group maintained treatment gains at follow-up, participants in the CBT group continued to improve between post-assessment and follow-up.
Managing workplace bullying in New Zealand: Perspectives from occupational health and safety practitioners
Authors: Catley Bevan , Bentley Tim , Forsyth Darryl , Cooper-Thomas Helena , Gardner Dianne , O'Driscoll Michael , Trenberth Linda
Published: May 2014

Research into workplace bullying has only recently begun to investigate preventative measures. This paper continues that emphasis by examining the management of bullying in a sample of New Zealand organisations. In this study, the survey results from 252 occupational health and safety practitioners were analysed to examine how bullying is understood and managed, along with factors that predict preventative efforts. Results indicate that bullying was perceived to impact significantly on organisations, although the organisations had limited preventative measures in place. The findings confirm the importance of leadership and the establishment of an effective bully-free environment as preventative measures.
Management control systems from an organisational life cycle perspective: The role of input, behaviour and output controls
Authors: Su Sophia , Baird Kevin , Schoch Herb
Published: May 2014

This study examines the association between the use of three types of controls (input, behaviour and output) and Miller and Friesen's organisational life cycle (OLC) stages (birth, growth, maturity, revival and decline). Data were collected by a survey questionnaire from a random sample of 1,000 General Managers in Australian manufacturing business units. The results indicate that the extent of use of different controls is associated with OLC stages. Specifically, both behaviour and input controls were found to be used to a significantly greater extent than output controls in both the birth stage and the growth stage, while all three types of controls were used to a similar level in the maturity and revival stages. An examination of the extent of use of controls across OLC stages revealed that each type of control was used to a significantly greater extent in the growth and revival stages than the birth and maturity stages. The study contributes to the literature by linking management control system studies to OLC studies. Most importantly, the study assists Australian manufacturing business units in identifying the appropriate use of controls both in and across OLC stages.
Autismus-Spektrum Störung nach DSM-5
Authors: Freitag Christine M.
Published: May 2014

Die Autismus-Spektrum Störung (ASS) wird in DSM-5 als eine Erkrankung aus den ICD-10 bzw. DSM-IV TR-Diagnosen frühkindlicher Autismus, Asperger Syndrom und atypischer Autismus/PDD-nos zusammengefasst und weist entsprechend revidierte Kriterien auf. In dem vorliegenden Artikel werden diese Kriterien vergleichend dargestellt, Studien zu Validität und Reliabilität der neuen ASS-Diagnose präsentiert und offene Fragen diskutiert. Ein Ausblick auf die klinische und wissenschaftliche Bedeutung wird gegeben.
Visusstörungen in der Tumordiagnostik – Aderhautmetastasen
Authors: Jegerlehner Sabrina , Rothenbuehler Simon P. , Pabst Thomas
Published: May 2014

Eine Metastase eines Karzinoms ist der häufigste intraokuläre Tumor, und sie lokalisiert sich meist im Bereich der posterioren Uvea. Als Primärtumor findet man vorzugsweise ein (bekanntes oder unbekanntes) Mammakarzinom oder ein Bronchialkarzinom. Die überwiegende Mehrheit der Patienten hat bei Diagnose von Aderhautmetastasen weitere Metastasen, so dass ein Re-Staging sinnvoll sein kann. Die Notwendigkeit zur interdisziplinären Betreuung aufgrund der Lokalisation ist offensichtlich. Bei Visusbedrohung sind schnelle Diagnostik und Einleitung der Therapie entscheidend. Eine externe Strahlentherapie ist die Methode der Wahl. Die Überlebenszeit von Patienten mit Aderhautmetastasen ist kurz und beträgt median sechs bis zwölf Monate. Da auch das Partnerauge von Aderhautmetastasen betroffen sein kann, sind aus diesem Grund ophthalmologische Verlaufskontrollen sinnvoll.
Ice sheets as a significant source of highly reactive nanoparticulate iron to the oceans
Authors: Hawkings Jon R. , Wadham Jemma L. , Tranter Martyn , Raiswell Rob , Benning Liane G. , Statham Peter J. , Tedstone Andrew , Nienow Peter , Lee Katherine , Telling Jon
Published: May 2014

The Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets cover ~\n10% of global land surface, but are rarely considered as active components of the global iron cycle. The ocean waters around both ice sheets harbour highly productive coastal ecosystems, many of which are iron limited. Measurements of iron concentrations in subglacial runoff from a large Greenland Ice Sheet catchment reveal the potential for globally significant export of labile iron fractions to the near-coastal euphotic zone. We estimate that the flux of bioavailable iron associated with glacial runoff is 0.40–2.54 Tg per year in Greenland and 0.06–0.17 Tg per year in Antarctica. Iron fluxes are dominated by a highly reactive and potentially bioavailable nanoparticulate suspended sediment fraction, similar to that identified in Antarctic icebergs. Estimates of labile iron fluxes in meltwater are comparable with aeolian dust fluxes to the oceans surrounding Greenland and Antarctica, and are similarly expected to increase in a warming climate with enhanced melting.
Powerful inner/outer controlled multi-target magnetic nanoparticle drug carrier prepared by liquid photo-immobilization
Authors: Guan Yan-Qing , Zheng Zhe , Huang Zheng , Li Zhibin , Niu Shuiqin , Liu Jun-Ming
Published: May 2014

Nanomagnetic materials offer exciting avenues for advancing cancer therapies. Most researches have focused on efficient delivery of drugs in the body by incorporating various drug molecules onto the surface of nanomagnetic particles. The challenge is how to synthesize low toxic nanocarriers with multi-target drug loading. The cancer cell death mechanisms associated with those nanocarriers remain unclear either. Following the cell biology mechanisms, we develop a liquid photo-immobilization approach to attach doxorubicin, folic acid, tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ onto the oleic acid molecules coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles to prepare a kind of novel inner/outer controlled multi-target magnetic nanoparticle drug carrier. In this work, this approach is demonstrated by a variety of structural and biomedical characterizations, addressing the anti-cancer effects in vivo and in vitro on the HeLa and it is highly efficient and powerful in treating cancer cells in a valuable programmed cell death mechanism for overcoming drug resistance.
A novel high-flux asymmetric p(VDF–HFP) membrane with a dense skin for ethanol pervaporation
Authors: Chen Jingwen , Huang He , Zhang Lin , Zhang Hongman
Published: May 2014

Asymmetrical p(VDF–HFP) pervaporation membrane fabricated through solvent evaporation combined phase inversion is applied to ethanol separation with very high flux.
Single crystal structure analysis via magnetically oriented microcrystal arrays
Authors: Kimura Fumiko , Oshima Wataru , Matsumoto Hiroko , Uekusa Hidehiro , Aburaya Kazuaki , Maeyama Masataka , Kimura Tsunehisa
Published: May 2014

Single crystal structure determination is possible from a powder sample without preparing a large single crystal.
Recent advances in the synthesis of nitroolefin compounds
Authors: Yan Guobing , Borah Arun Jyoti , Wang Lianggui
Published: May 2014

This review focuses on recent achievements in nitroolefin synthesis and the mechanisms of the reactions are also discussed.
Performance assessment of deashed and dewaxed rice straw on improving the quality of RS-based composites
Authors: Basta Altaf H. , El-Saied Houssni , Lofty Vivian F.
Published: May 2014

The present work recommends the pre-treatment of rice straw to reduce its silica and/or wax for using commercial UF adhesive rather than the more expensive MDI. This is the most successful and appropriate route for the production of RS-based composites. The utilization of rice straw is highly economic, and will help to reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal.
Novel functional carboxymethyl cellulose lithium (CMC-Li) for enhanced performance of lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Qiu Lei , Shao Ziqiang , Wang Wenjun , Wang Feijun , Wang Daxiong , Zhou Zhenwen , Xiang Pan , Xu Chen
Published: May 2014

Using cotton as raw material we have synthesized CMC-Li. A new method to modify electrode materials with CMC-Li by electrospinning was developed, and CMC-Li was used as a novel lithium-ion binder in batteries. The batteries show good electrochemical properties, excellent stability and are environmentally friendly.
Substituent effect on fluorescence signaling of the cell permeable HSO4− receptors through single point to ratiometric response in green solvent
Authors: Mukherjee Manjira , Pal Siddhartha , Sen Buddhadeb , Lohar Somenath , Banerjee Samya , Banerjee Snehasis , Chattopadhyay Pabitra
Published: May 2014

Effect of substituents on tuning of fluorescence signaling of the cell permeable HSO4− ions receptors through single point to ratiometric response in green solvent was systematically explored through analytical and biological studies.
Luminescent carbon nanoparticles as a donor for the FRET-based detection of oligonucleotide hybridization
Authors: Li Ying , Luo Chunhua , Jiang Chunli , Huang Rong , Wang Yitang , Peng Hui , Travas-Sejdic Jadranka
Published: May 2014

Luminescent carbon nanoparticles were used as the donor for homogeneous sensing oligonucleotide hybridization based on Förster resonance energy transfer.
Investigation of plasma electrolytic oxidation on valve metals by means of molecular spectroscopy – a review
Authors: Stojadinović Stevan , Vasilić Rastko , Perić Miljenko
Published: May 2014

A review of results of molecular spectroscopic investigations during plasma electrolytic oxidation of valve metals is presented.
Synthetically controlling the optoelectronic properties of dithieno[2,3-d:2′,3′-d′]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-alt-diketopyrrolopyrrole-conjugated polymers for efficient solar cells
Authors: Sun Shuo , Zhang Peng , Li Jianfeng , Li Yuanke , Wang Jianlu , Zhang Shujiang , Xia Yangjun , Meng Xiangjian , Fan Duowang , Chu Junhao
Published: May 2014

An approach to rationally tune the optoelectronic properties of dithienobenzodithiophene derivatives (DTBDTs) and DTBDTs-based conjugated polymers has been demonstrated.
Self-seeded growth of nest-like hydrated tungsten trioxide film directly on FTO substrate for highly enhanced electrochromic performance
Authors: Li Haizeng , Shi Guoying , Wang Hongzhi , Zhang Qinghong , Li Yaogang
Published: May 2014

A novel self-seeded hydrothermal technique was used to improve the energy efficiency and simplify the preparation processes, and electrodes with enhanced electrochromic performance were obtained.
Enhanced wetting properties of a polypropylene separator for a lithium-ion battery by hyperthermal hydrogen induced cross-linking of poly(ethylene oxide)
Authors: Man Changzhen , Jiang Peng , Wong Ka-wai , Zhao Yun , Tang Changyu , Fan Meikun , Lau Woon-ming , Mei Jun , Li Shaomin , Liu Hao , Hui David
Published: May 2014

HHIC technology was employed to increase the electrolyte wetting properties of polypropylene separators by cross-linking PEO on their surfaces.
Water-soluble inclusion complex of fullerene with γ-cyclodextrin polymer for photodynamic therapy
Authors: Zhang Wang , Gong Xiangdong , Liu Chang , Piao Yuanzhe , Sun Yun , Diao Guowang
Published: May 2014

A method was developed to obtain a highly water-soluble C60–γ-CDP inclusion complex, which could efficiently generate 1O2 species with UVA irradiation.
Highly efficient orange and deep-red organic light emitting diodes with long operational lifetimes using carbazole–quinoline based bipolar host materials
Authors: Chen Chin-Hsien , Hsu Lun-Chia , Rajamalli P. , Chang Yu-Wei , Wu Fang-Iy , Liao Chuang-Yi , Chiu Ming-Jai , Chou Pei-Yu , Huang Min-Jie , Chu Li-Kang , Cheng Chien-Hong
Published: May 2014

A new series of carbazole–quinoline based host materials for orange and red PhOLEDs are synthesized. A record-high efficiency with long operational lifetime is achieved.
Small molecules incorporating regioregular oligothiophenes and fluorinated benzothiadiazole groups for solution-processed organic solar cells
Authors: Yuan Liu , Zhao Yifan , Lu Kun , Deng Dan , Yan Wei , Wei Zhixiang
Published: May 2014

A series of donor–acceptor–donor type small molecules for solution-processed solar cells by incorporating fluorinated benzothiadiazole and regioregular oligothiophenes have been synthesized. The influence of donor length on photovoltaic performance was systematically investigated.
Regulation of cellular homoeostasis by reversible lysine acetylation
Authors: Scott Iain
Published: May 2014

Acetylation, through the post-transcriptional modification of histones, is a well-established regulator of gene transcription. More recent research has also identified an important role for acetylation in the regulation of non-histone proteins, both inside and outside the nucleus. As a fast (and reversible) post-translational process, acetylation allows cells to rapidly alter the function of existing proteins, making it ideally suited to biological programmes that require an immediate response to changing conditions. Using metabolic programmes as an example, the present chapter looks at how reversible acetylation can be used to regulate important enzymes in an ever-changing cellular environment.
Lysine post-translational modifications and the cytoskeleton
Authors: Zencheck Wendy D. , Xiao Hui , Weiss Louis M.
Published: May 2014

PTMs (post-translational modifications) of lysine residues have proven to be major regulators of gene expression, protein–protein interactions, and protein processing and degradation. This is of particular importance in regulating the cytoskeleton, an enormously complex system of proteins responsible for cell motility, intracellular trafficking, and maintenance of cell form and structure. The cytoskeleton is present in all cells, including eukaryotes and prokaryotes, and comprises structures such as flagella, cilia and lamellipodia which play critical roles in intracellular transport and cellular division. Cytoskeletal regulation relies on numerous multi-component assemblies. In this chapter, we focus on the regulation of the cytoskeleton by means of PTMs of lysine residues on the cytoskeletal subunits and their accessory proteins. We specifically address the three main classes of cytoskeletal proteins in eukaryotes that polymerize into filaments, including microfilaments (actin filaments), intermediate filaments and microtubules. We discuss the identification and biological importance of lysine acetylation, a regulator of all three filament types. We also review additional lysine modifications, such as ubiquitination and SUMOylation, and their role in protein regulation and processing.
Discovery of lysine post-translational modifications through mass spectrometric detection
Authors: Zee Barry M. , Garcia Benjamin A.
Published: May 2014

The complexity of an organism's proteome is in part due to the diversity of post-translational modifications present that can direct the location and function of a protein. To address the growing interest in characterizing these modifications, mass spectrometric-based proteomics has emerged as one of the most essential experimental platforms for their discovery. In searching for post-translational modifications within a target set of proteins to global surveys of particularly modified proteins within a given proteome, various experimental MS (mass spectrometry) and allied techniques have been developed. Out of 20 naturally encoded amino acids, lysine is essentially the most highly post-translationally modified residue. This chapter provides a succinct overview of such methods for the characterization of protein lysine modifications as broadly classified, such as methylation and ubiquitination.
Non-homogeneous solutions of a Coulomb Schrödinger equation as basis set for scattering problems
Authors: Del Punta J. A. , Ambrosio M. J. , Gasaneo G. , Zaytsev S. A. , Ancarani L. U.
Published: May 2014

We introduce and study two-body Quasi Sturmian functions which are proposed as basis functions for applications in three-body scattering problems. They are solutions of a two-body non-homogeneous Schrödinger equation. We present different analytic expressions, including asymptotic behaviors, for the pure Coulomb potential with a driven term involving either Slater-type or Laguerre-type orbitals. The efficiency of Quasi Sturmian functions as basis set is numerically illustrated through a two-body scattering problem.
Barotropic, baroclinic, and inertial instabilities of the easterly Gaussian jet on the equatorial β-plane in rotating shallow water model
Authors: Ribstein Bruno , Zeitlin Vladimir , Tissier Ann-Sophie
Published: May 2014

A detailed linear stability analysis of an easterly barotropic Gaussian jet centered at the equator is performed in the long-wave sector in the framework of one- and two-layer shallow-water models on the equatorial β-plane. It is shown that the dominant instability of the jet is due to phase-locking and resonance between Yanai waves, although the standard barotropic and baroclinic instabilities due to the resonance between Rossby waves are also present. In the one-layer case, this dominant instability has non-zero growth rate at zero wavenumber for high enough Rossby and low enough Burger numbers, thus reproducing the classical symmetric inertial instability. Yet its asymmetric counterpart has the highest growth rate. In the two-layer case, the dominant instability may be barotropic or baroclinic, the latter being stronger, with the maximum of the growth rate shifting towards smaller downstream wavenumbers as Rossby number increases at fixed Burger number, and given thickness and density ratios. At large enough Rossby numbers this instability has a non-zero growth rate limit at zero wavenumber, giving the baroclinic symmetric inertial instability. Again, the maximal growth rate is achieved at small but non-zero wavenumbers, corresponding to the asymmetric inertial instability. At high enough Rossby number and low enough Burger number not only the baroclinic, but also the barotropic symmetric instability appears, as well as higher meridional modes of the baroclinic symmetric instability. Still, all of them are dominated by their asymmetric counterparts. Direct numerical simulations of the saturation of the leading instabilities are performed, showing that the barotropic species of the instability saturates by forming a double vortex street subject to nonlinear oscillations, while the baroclinic, the most vigorous one, saturates by producing strong vertical shears and related dissipation and mixing.
The Prelle-Singer method and Painlevé hierarchies
Authors: Gordoa P. R. , Pickering A. , Senthilvelan M.
Published: May 2014

We consider systems of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) of the form \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}${\cal B}{\mathbf {K}}=0$\end{document}BK=0, where \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\cal B$\end{document}B is a Hamiltonian operator of a completely integrable partial differential equation hierarchy, and K = (K, L)T. Such systems, while of quite low order and linear in the components of K, may represent higher-order nonlinear systems if we make a choice of K in terms of the coefficient functions of \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\cal B$\end{document}B. Indeed, our original motivation for the study of such systems was their appearance in the study of Painlevé hierarchies, where the question of the reduction of order is of great importance. However, here we do not consider such particular cases; instead we study such systems for arbitrary K, where they may represent both integrable and nonintegrable systems of ordinary differential equations. We consider the application of the Prelle-Singer (PS) method—a method used to find first integrals—to such systems in order to reduce their order. We consider the cases of coupled second order ODEs and coupled third order ODEs, as well as the special case of a scalar third order ODE; for the case of coupled third order ODEs, the development of the PS method presented here is new. We apply the PS method to examples of such systems, based on dispersive water wave, Ito and Korteweg-de Vries Hamiltonian structures, and show that first integrals can be obtained. It is important to remember that the equations in question may represent sequences of systems of increasing order. We thus see that the PS method is a further technique which we expect to be useful in our future work.
An inversion-relaxation approach for sampling stationary points of spin model Hamiltonians
Authors: Hughes Ciaran , Mehta Dhagash , Wales David J.
Published: May 2014

Sampling the stationary points of a complicated potential energy landscape is a challenging problem. Here, we introduce a sampling method based on relaxation from stationary points of the highest index of the Hessian matrix. We illustrate how this approach can find all the stationary points for potentials or Hamiltonians bounded from above, which includes a large class of important spin models, and we show that it is far more efficient than previous methods. For potentials unbounded from above, the relaxation part of the method is still efficient in finding minima and transition states, which are usually the primary focus of attention for atomistic systems.
Tunable single-mode slot waveguide quantum cascade lasers
Authors: Meng Bo , Tao Jin , Hui Li Xiao , Quan Zeng Yong , Wu Sheng , Jie Wang Qi
Published: May 2014

We report experimental demonstration of tunable, monolithic, single-mode quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) at ∼10 μm with a two-section etched slot structure. A single-mode tuning range of 77 cm−1 (785 nm), corresponding to ∼7.8% of the relative tuning range, was realized with a ∼20 dB side mode suppression ratio within the whole tuning range. Compared with integrated distributed feedback QCLs, our devices have the advantages of easy fabrication and a broader tuning range. Further theoretical analyses and numerical simulations show that it is possible to achieve a broad continuous tuning range by optimizing the slot structures. The proposed slot-waveguide design could provide an alternative but simple approach to the existing tuning schemes for realizing broadly continuous tunable single-mode QCLs.
Band gap and effective mass of multilayer BN/graphene/BN: van der Waals density functional approach
Authors: Hashmi Arqum , Hong Jisang
Published: May 2014

Using the van der Waals density functional theory method (DFT-D2), we have investigated thickness dependent energy band gaps and effective masses of multilayer BN/graphene/BN structures by changing the stacking order. The band gap is substantially dependent on the stacking order. For instance, the calculated band gap in ABA stacking is about 150 meV, whereas it becomes 31 meV in ABC stacking. No significant thickness dependent band gap is observed in both ABA and ABC stackings although the band gap is gradually increasing with the BN thickness in ABA stacking. In addition, the effective mass is found to be strongly dependent on the stacking order. The effective mass in ABA stacking is much larger than that found in ABC stacking. On the other hand, the effective mass along K–M direction is smaller than that along K–Γ direction in ABA stacking. However, it is independent on the band direction in ABC stacking. We have found that the inclusion of van der Waals interaction alters thickness dependent band gap and effective mass of BN/graphene/BN multilayer systems compared with those found with standard density functional theory.
Note: Multi-pass Thomson scattering measurement on the TST-2 spherical tokamak
Authors: Togashi H. , Ejiri A. , Hiratsuka J. , Nakamura K. , Takase Y. , Yamaguchi T. , Furui H. , Imamura K. , Inada T. , Kakuda H. , Nakanishi A. , Oosako T. , Shinya T. , Sonehara M. , Tsuda S. , Tsujii N. , Wakatsuki T. , Hasegawa M. , Nagashima Y. , Narihara K. , Yamada I. , Tojo H.
Published: May 2014

In multi-pass Thomson scattering (TS) scheme, a laser pulse makes multiple round trips through the plasma, and the effective laser energy is enhanced, and we can increase the signal-to-noise ratio as a result. We have developed a coaxial optical cavity in which a laser pulse is confined, and we performed TS measurements using the coaxial cavity in tokamak plasmas for the first time. In the optical cavity, the laser energy attenuation was approximately 30% in each round trip, and we achieved a photon number gain of about 3 compared with that obtained in the first round trip. In addition, the temperature measurement accuracy was improved by accumulating the first three round trip waveforms.
Optimal condition of memristance enhancement circuit using external voltage source
Authors: Tanaka Hiroya , Tadokoro Yukihiro , Iizuka Hideo
Published: May 2014

Memristor provides nonlinear response in the current-voltage characteristic and the memristance is modulated using an external voltage source. We point out by solving nonlinear equations that an optimal condition of the external voltage source exists for maximizing the memristance in such modulation scheme. We introduce a linear function to describe the nonlinear time response and derive an important design guideline; a constant ratio of the frequency to the amplitude of the external voltage source maximizes the memristance. The analysis completely accounts for the memristance behavior.
Chromatin fiber polymorphism triggered by variations of DNA linker lengths
Authors: Collepardo-Guevara Rosana , Schlick Tamar
Published: May 2014

Significance

The structure of the chromatin fiber remains one of the most fundamental open biological questions because structure dictates many template-directed processes. We use coarse-grained modeling to investigate systematically how variations in the linker DNA length that arise naturally for chromatin in different tissues, species, and cell cycle stages affect fiber architecture. We unravel a natural source of fiber polymorphism, in which irregular interdigitated 10-nm and compact 30-nm fibers coexist. These results suggest how structural diversity can be advantageous for gene regulation activity. Interesting DNA design applications also arise.
Precise estimates of mutation rate and spectrum in yeast
Authors: Zhu Yuan O. , Siegal Mark L. , Hall David W. , Petrov Dmitri A.
Published: May 2014

Significance

Spontaneous mutations are rare and difficult to observe in large numbers experimentally. By sequencing the genomes of 145 diploid mutation accumulation (MA) lines of the budding yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, we identified nearly 1,000 mutations, a larger number than in any prior eukaryotic MA experiment as far as we are aware. For the first time, to our knowledge, in MA data, we were able to estimate rates of context-dependent single-nucleotide mutations. We were also able to observe mutational classes not seen in earlier yeast MA experiments and infer the rate of strongly deleterious mutations from patterns of missing mutations in each mutational class. Our findings both answer outstanding questions in the field, as well as highlight the need for more studies of spontaneous mutation.
OPG/RANKL/RANK axis is a critical inflammatory signaling system in ischemic brain in mice
Authors: Shimamura Munehisa , Nakagami Hironori , Osako Mariana K. , Kurinami Hitomi , Koriyama Hiroshi , Zhengda Pang , Tomioka Hideki , Tenma Akiko , Wakayama Kouji , Morishita Ryuichi
Published: May 2014

Significance

Although a high-serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) level is associated with an unfavorable outcome in ischemic stroke, it is unclear whether OPG is a culprit or an innocent bystander. Here we show that the deletion of OPG and enhanced RANKL/RANK signaling contribute to the reduction of infarct volume with lower brain edema, whereas infarct volume is increased by reduced RANKL/RANK signaling inOPG−/−mice and WT mice treated with anti-RANKL neutralizing antibody. OPG, RANKL, and RANK mRNA were increased in ischemic brain and were expressed in activated microglia and macrophages. Enhanced RANKL/RANK signaling showed neuroprotective effects with reduced expression in inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated neuron-glia mixed culture. Our findings propose anti-inflammatory roles for RANKL/RANK signaling in ischemic brains.