bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of hybrid graphene oxide/nano‐silica nanofillers and their application in poly(vinyl alcohol) composites
Authors: Xu Xian‐Ling , Wang Xiong‐Fei , Li Jia‐Le , Yang Jing‐Hui , Wang Yong , Zhou Zuo‐Wan
Published: September 2015

We described the preparation of the hybrid graphene oxide (GO)/nano‐silica (SiO2) nanofillers through the simple solution mixing method and their potential application in preparing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composites. SiO2 nanoparticles were absorbed on the surface of GO sheets, which resulted in the exfoliation and dispersion of GO on one hand. On the other hand, well‐dispersed SiO2 particles were also achieved. The hybrid GO@SiO2 nanofillers modified PVA composite was prepared by dissolving the hybrid nanofillers into water followed by mixing with PVA. It was found that the hybrid GO@SiO2 nanofillers exhibited much better dispersion in PVA matrix compared with neat SiO2 and neat GO nanofillers. The hybrid GO@SiO2 nanofillers exhibited good interaction with PVA matrix, which resulted in the apparent change of the glass transition of PVA matrix. With the addition of only 1 wt% GO@SiO2 nanofillers, the PVA/GO@SiO2 composite exhibited apparently enhanced tensile strength and fracture energy, which demonstrated the simultaneous strengthening and toughening effects of the hybrid GO@SiO2 nanofillers. This work provided an alternative method to strengthen and toughen polymers simultaneously at very low content of hybrid nanofillers. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E89–E97, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Lectin‐induced agglutination method of urinary exosomes isolation followed by mi‐RNA analysis: Application for prostate cancer diagnostic
Authors: Samsonov Roman , Shtam Tatiana , Burdakov Vladimir , Glotov Andrey , Tsyrlina Evgenia , Berstein Lev , Nosov Alexander , Evtushenko Vladimir , Filatov Michael , Malek Anastasia
Published: September 2015

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Prostate‐specific antigen has, however, insufficient diagnostic specificity. Novel complementary diagnostic approaches are greatly needed. MiRNAs are small regulatory RNAs which play an important role in tumorogenesis and are being investigated as a cancer biomarker. In addition to their intracellular regulatory functions, miRNAs are secreted into the extracellular space and can be found in various body fluids, including urine. The stability of extracellular miRNAs is defined by association with proteins, lipoprotein particles, and membrane vesicles. Among the known forms of miRNA packaging, tumour‐derived exosome‐enclosed miRNAs is thought to reflect the vital activity of cancer cells. The assessment of the exosomal fraction of urinary miRNA may present a new and highly specific method for prostate cancer diagnostics; however, this is challenged by the absence of reliable and inexpensive methods for isolation of exosomes.

METHODS

Prostate cancer (PC) cell lines and urine samples collected from 35 PC patients and 35 healthy donors were used in the study. Lectins, phytohemagglutinin, and concanavalin A were used to induce agglutination of exosomes. The efficiency of isolation process was evaluated by AFM and DLS assays. The protein content of isolated exosomes was analysed by western blotting. Exosomal RNA was assayed by automated electrophoresis and expression level of selected miRNAs was evaluated by RT‐qPCR. The diagnostic potency of the urinary exosomal miRNA assessment was estimated by the ROC method.

RESULTS

The formation of multi‐vesicular agglutinates in urine can be induced by incubation with lectin at a final concentration of 2 mg/ml. These agglutinates contain urinary exosomes and may be pelleted by centrifugation with a relatively low G‐force. The analysis of PC–related miRNA in urinary exosomes revealed significant up‐regulation of miR‐574‐3p, miR‐141‐5p, and miR‐21‐5p associated with PC.

CONCLUSIONS

Lectin‐induced aggregation is a low‐cost and easily performed method for isolation of exosomes from urine. Isolated exosomes can be further analysed in terms of miRNA content. The miRNA profile of urinary exosomes reflects development of prostate cancer and may present a promising diagnostic tool. Prostate 76:68–79, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multiple improvement in piezoelectricity, ferroelectricity, and fluorescence of 0.94(Bi0.984Er0.016Na)0.5TiO3–0.06BaTiO3 by optimizing sintering temperature/dwell time
Authors: Lei Fengying , Zou Xiao , Wen Rui , Liu Mengli , Zheng Qiaoji , Jiang Na , Luo Lingling , Lin Dunmin
Published: September 2015

Multifunctional ceramics of 0.94(Bi0.984Er0.016Na)0.5TiO3–0.06BaTiO3 were prepared by a conventional ceramic technique. The effects of sintering temperature (Ts) and dwell time (ts) on the ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, and fluorescence of the ceramics were studied. Furthermore, the influence of poling electrical field on the up‐conversion emission intensities was also discussed. As Ts and ts increase, the grains grow larger gradually and evolve from spheroid to rectangular shape. By increasing Ts and ts, the ferroelectricity of the ceramics is improved and the remnant polarization Pr increases. The optimum sintering temperature and dwell time for the piezoelectricity of ceramics are 1200 °C and 2 h, respectively. Also, both of the sintering temperature and dwell time make an important influence on the fluorescence of the ceramics. The ceramics sintered at 1140–1160 °C for 2 h possess excellent up/down‐conversion fluorescence. The up‐conversion emission intensity of the ceramics is further enhanced by optimizing poling electric field. This work develops a kind of multifunctional material that simultaneously possesses good ferroelectricity/piezoelectricity and excellent up/down‐conversion fluorescence by optimizing sintering temperature and dwell time.
An MRI‐conditional motion phantom for the evaluation of high‐intensity focused ultrasound protocols
Authors: Sagias George , Yiallouras Christos , Ioannides Kleanthis , Damianou Christakis
Published: September 2015

Background

The respiratory motion of abdominal organs is a serious obstacle in high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance. In this study, a two‐dimensional (2D) MRI‐conditional motion phantom device was developed in order to evaluate HIFU protocols in synchronized and non‐synchronized ablation of moving targets.

Materials and methods

The 2D phantom device simulates the respiratory motion of moving organs in both the left–right and craniocaudal directions. The device consists of MR‐conditional materials which have been produced by a three‐dimensional (3D) printer.

Results

The MRI compatibility of the motion phantom was tested successfully in an MRI scanner. In vitro experiments were carried out to evaluate HIFU ablation protocols that are minimally affected by target motion.

Conclusion

It was shown that only in synchronized mode does HIFU produce thermal lesions, as tested on a gel phantom mimicking the moving target. The MRI‐conditional phantom device was shown to be functional for its purpose and can be used as an evaluation tool for testing HIFU protocols for moving targets in an MRI environment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Brief Report: Inhibition of miR-145 Enhances Reprogramming of Human Dermal Fibroblasts to Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Barta Tomas , Peskova Lucie , Collin Joseph , Montaner David , Neganova Irina , Armstrong Lyle , Lako Majlinda
Published: September 2015

MicroRNA (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNA molecules involved in many cellular processes and shown to play a key role in somatic cell induced reprogramming. We performed an array based screening to identify candidates that are differentially expressed between dermal skin fibroblasts (DFs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We focused our investigations on miR-145 and showed that this candidate is highly expressed in DFs relative to iPSCs and significantly downregulated during reprogramming process. Inhibition of miR-145 in DFs led to the induction of “cellular plasticity” demonstrated by: (a) alteration of cell morphology associated with downregulation of mesenchymal and upregulation of epithelial markers; (b) upregulation of pluripotency-associated genes including SOX2, KLF4, C-MYC; (c) downregulation of miRNA let-7b known to inhibit reprogramming; and (iv) increased efficiency of reprogramming to iPSCs in the presence of reprogramming factors. Together, our results indicate a direct functional link between miR-145 and molecular pathways underlying reprogramming of somatic cells to iPSCs.
Control of carbon flux to glutamate excretion in Klebsiella pneumoniae: the role of the indigenous plasmid and its encoded isocitrate dehydrogenase
Authors: El-Mansi Mansi , Trappey Francois , Clark Ewan , Campbell Malcolm
Published: September 2015

Klebsiella pneumoniae (NCTC, CL687/80) harbors a large indigenous plasmid (pC3), which in addition to encoding for citrate utilization, proline synthesis and glutamate excretion, it uniquely carries the structural gene (icd); encoding isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH). Flux analysis revealed that ICDH, despite its role in the generation of NADPH required for glutamate dehydrogenase, is not rate-limiting (controlling) in central metabolism as evidenced by a negative flux control coefficient and an adverse effect of overexpression (14-fold) on glutamate excretion. More significantly, however, this paper presents, for the first time, clear evidence that the accumulation of glutamate and its subsequent excretion is associated with the C3 plasmid-encoded regulatory elements, which trigger a shift-down in the activity of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, both in the K. pneumoniae parental strain as well as in the E. coli exconjugants strains. This finding opens the door for the exploitation of regulatory elements as a tool for manipulating flux in microbial cell factories.
Wohnungsleerstand in Deutschland. Zur Konzeptualisierung der Leerstandsquote als Schlüsselindikator der Wohnungsmarktbeobachtung anhand der GWZ 2011
Authors: Rink Dieter , Wolff Manuel
Published: September 2015

At present the housing market in Germany is characterized by contrary trends: Strained markets with partly distinct housing shortage are facing each other with relieved markets even with very high vacancies. For both situations the vacancy rate is a decisive indicator for evaluation. However, the vacancy rate so far is not systematically investigated and elaborated as an indicator but rather is quantified and qualified differently by various scientific and political debates. Against this background the paper suggests a systematic categorization of vacancy rates based on relevant literature. Additionally it develops a heuristic for a differentiated evaluation of housing vacancy rates from different perspectives. This heuristic is then backed up empirically by data from the building and housing census (GWZ) 2011. Thus, it can be demonstrated that the majority of German municipalities has indeed a moderate vacancy rate between 3 and 5 %, but also that substantially regional and spatial-structural differences appear. In respect of the analysis of vacancy rates no spatially-extensive generalization or simple conclusions for housing and urban renewal policies can be drawn. This underlines that a qualification of vacancy rates is necessary in order to be utilized for planning and political decisions.
The regulatory role of B cells in autoimmunity, infections and cancer: Perspectives beyond IL10 production
Authors: Gorosito Serrán Melisa , Fiocca Vernengo Facundo , Beccaria Cristian G. , Acosta Rodriguez Eva V. , Montes Carolina L. , Gruppi Adriana
Published: September 2015

The term regulatory B cells (B regs) is ascribed to a heterogeneous population of B cells with the function of suppressing inflammatory responses. They have been described mainly during the last decade in the context of different immune‐mediated diseases. Most of the work on B regs has been focused on IL‐10‐producing B cells. However, B cells can exert regulatory functions independently of IL‐10 production. Here we discuss the phenotypes, development and effector mechanisms of B regs and advances in their role in autoimmunity, infections and cancer.
Testamentary Archeology in Late-Victorian Ontario: William Martin's Little, Posthumous Legal System
Authors: Baker G. Blaine
Published: September 2015

This is a 'will-in-context' study of a Toronto bequest of the 1880s that shows how a testator's ideological commitment to freedom of willing and his retention of high-powered legal talent to actualize that commitment were derailed by a hapless or avaricious executor, unpredictable real-estate markets, a lethargic court, and eccentric beneficiaries. It also suggests that self-made private law like contracts, trusts, and wills may be as doctrinally, textually, or administratively contradictory, indeterminate, or unpredictable as state-made public or regulatory law has often been shown to be.
THE PLEA ROLLS OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS: AN UNUSED SOURCE FOR THE ART AND HISTORY OF LATER MEDIEVAL ENGLAND, 1422–1509
Authors: Danbury Elizabeth A , Scott Kathleen L
Published: September 2015

The court of Common Pleas was one of the most important courts in the English legal system for more than 600 years, until its abolition by Act of Parliament in 1873. The cases heard before this royal court were civil disputes between the king’s subjects, often relating to land, inheritance and debts. The purpose of this paper is to introduce readers to the ornament and imagery that appeared on the headings of the main records of the court of Common Pleas between 1422 and 1509 and to explore the origins and contemporary context of the images and representations employed by the clerk-artists who wrote and decorated these headings. The decoration they chose ranged from simple ornament to representations of plants, birds, animals and people. Great emphasis was placed on the role of the sovereign as the fount of justice, and this emphasis was reinforced by the incorporation of words and phrases, acclamations and verses from the Psalms chosen to underline the majesty and power of successive monarchs. The illustrations provide an important insight into the art, history and politics of late fifteenth-century England.
Heresiology in the Third-Century Mishnah: Arguments for Rabbinic Legal Authority and the Complications of a Simple Concept
Authors: Cohn Naftali S.
Published: September 2015

When members of the early rabbinic group created the Jewish legal text known as the Mishnah in the late second or early third century, the concept of heresy was relatively common in the wider cultural discourse of the Roman world. Christian apologists, among others, frequently employed the Greek termhairesis(“heresy”/“heretic,” originally meaning “school of thought”/“adherent”) as part of their larger projects of drawing boundaries, defining identities, and making an argument for the authority of their own ideas and practices.
Pre-operative serum alkaline phosphatase as a predictive indicator of post-operative hypocalcaemia in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy
Authors: Miah M S , Mahendran S , Mak C , Leese G , Smith D
Published: September 2015

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate whether a pre-operative elevated serum alkaline phosphatase level is a potential predictor of post-operative hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy.

Methods:

Data was retrospectively collected from the case notes of patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy. Patients were divided into Graves’ disease and non-Graves’ groups. Pre-operative and post-operative biochemical markers, including serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone levels, were reviewed.

Results:

A total of 225 patients met the inclusion criteria. Graves’ disease was the most common indication (n = 134; 59.5 per cent) for thyroidectomy. Post-operative hypocalcaemia developed in 48 patients (21.3 per cent) and raised pre-operative serum alkaline phosphatase was noted in 94 patients (41.8 per cent). Raised pre-operative serum alkaline phosphatase was significantly associated with post-operative hypocalcaemia, particularly in Graves’ disease patients (p< 0.05).

Conclusion:

Pre-operative serum alkaline phosphatase measurements help to predict post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia, especially in patients who do not develop hypoparathyroidism. Ascertaining the pre-operative serum alkaline phosphatase level in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy may help surgeons to identify at-risk patients.
To Make All Children Equal is a Change in the Power Structures of Society: The Politics of Family Law in Twentieth Century Chile and Latin America
Authors: Milanich Nara
Published: September 2015

In 1999, Chile became the last country in Latin America to grant full equality to all children regardless of the marital status of their parents. The Law of Filiation (Ley de Filiación) declared all children's right to know their origins, receive support from their progenitors, and participate equally in inheritance. Both supporters and critics hailed the law as transcendental, one of the most significant reforms to civil law since the promulgation of the Chilean Civil Code in 1855. On the day the law took effect, President Eduardo Frei was on hand at a civil registry office to greet the first parents arriving to solicit birth certificates, which no longer specified their children's natal status. He gave them a native quillay sapling, symbol of life and growth, adorned with a ribbon declaring, “Bienvenida, igualdad (Welcome, equality).” In succeeding months approximately 2,000,000 citizens, in a country of 15,000,000, would petition the offices of the civil registry for the new, nondiscriminatory birth certificates. One congresswoman hailed the bureaucratic flood as a “vindication of human dignity.”
Emergency department syndromic surveillance providing early warning of seasonal respiratory activity in England
Authors: HUGHES H. E. , MORBEY R. , HUGHES T. C. , LOCKER T. E. , PEBODY R. , GREEN H. K. , ELLIS J. , SMITH G. E. , ELLIOT A. J.
Published: September 2015

Seasonal respiratory infections place an increased burden on health services annually. We used a sentinel emergency department syndromic surveillance system to understand the factors driving respiratory attendances at emergency departments (EDs) in England. Trends in different respiratory indicators were observed to peak at different points during winter, with further variation observed in the distribution of attendances by age. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed acute respiratory infection and bronchitis/bronchiolitis ED attendances in patients aged 1–4 years were particularly sensitive indicators for increasing respiratory syncytial virus activity. Using near real-time surveillance of respiratory ED attendances may provide early warning of increased winter pressures in EDs, particularly driven by seasonal pathogens. This surveillance may provide additional intelligence about different categories of attendance, highlighting pressures in particular age groups, thereby aiding planning and preparation to respond to acute changes in EDs, and thus the health service in general.
Comparison of flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities of Vicia species
Authors: Lee Kyung Jun , Lee Jung-Ro , Kim Hyo-Jeong , Raveendar Sebastin , Lee Gi-An , Jeon Young-Ah , Park Eunseong , Ma Kyung-Ho , Lee Sok-Young , Chung Jong-Wook
Published: September 2015

A total of 27 accessions from ten Vicia species were investigated for flavonoid contents, total polyphenol contents, and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS [2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonic acid)] free radical-scavenging activities. The results revealed that NAC17 (V. monantha) and NAC14 (V. hyrcanica) had the highest total flavonoid content (1.42 ± 0.09 mg/g) and total polyphenol content [124.2 ± 0.5 μg/gallic acid equivalents (GAE) mg], respectively. Among four flavonoids, naringenin was detected at high concentrations in Vicia species. The DPPH and ABTS assays showed values in the range of 57.2 (IC50) (NAC13, V. faba) to 6530.0 (IC50) (NAC24, V. sativa subsp. nigra) and 19.1 μg/Trolox mg (NAC7, V. cracca) to 253.4 μg/Trolox mg (NAC13, V. faba), respectively. Among ten Vicia species, V. monantha and V. hyrcanica had the highest flavonoid content (1.31 ± 0.09 mg/g) and total polyphenol content (116.5 ± 2.0 μg/GAE mg), respectively. The highest antioxidant activity was detected in V. faba. These results will expand the flavonoid database and provide valuable information on Vicia species for the development of functional foods or feed-additive resources.
Reduction of the mutual coupling in patch antenna arrays based on EBG by using a planar frequency-selective surface structure
Authors: Beiranvand Ehsan , Afsahy Majid , Sharbati Vahid
Published: September 2015

This paper describes a new configuration of frequency-selective structure (FSS) structures to reduce mutual coupling between the radiating elements. Also, the antenna performance before and after the implementation of FSS have been investigated. The proposed configuration provides an improvement in mutual coupling by 14 dB (measured value) with a reduced edge-to-edge spacing of 23 mm. The reduction of mutual coupling between antenna elements is interesting in the electromagnetic and antenna community. The use of electromagnetic band-gap structures constructed by microstrip technology is a way to appease the mutual coupling problem. Periodic structures such as FSS can help in the reduction of mutual coupling using their ability of suppressing surface waves propagation in a given frequency range. The goal of this present study is to use it in patch antenna arrays, keeping both the element separation smaller than λ0for grating lobes evasion and the patch antenna size large enough to have good antenna directivity. The results showed that the proposed configuration eliminates disadvantages of similar structures presented in the previous works.
A streamlined search technology for identification of synergistic drug combinations
Authors: Weiss Andrea , Berndsen Robert H. , Ding Xianting , Ho Chih-Ming , Dyson Paul J. , van den Bergh Hubert , Griffioen Arjan W. , Nowak-Sliwinska Patrycja
Published: September 2015

A major key to improvement of cancer therapy is the combination of drugs. Mixing drugs that already exist on the market may offer an attractive alternative. Here we report on a new model-based streamlined feedback system control (s-FSC) method, based on a design of experiment approach, for rapidly finding optimal drug mixtures with minimal experimental effort. We tested combinations in an in vitro assay for the viability of a renal cell adenocarcinoma (RCC) cell line, 786-O. An iterative cycle of in vitro testing and s-FSC analysis was repeated a few times until an optimal low dose combination was reached. Starting with ten drugs that target parallel pathways known to play a role in the development and progression of RCC, we identified the best overall drug combination, being a mixture of four drugs (axitinib, erlotinib, dasatinib and AZD4547) at low doses, inhibiting 90% of cell viability. The removal of AZD4547 from the optimized drug combination resulted in 80% of cell viability inhibition, while still maintaining the synergistic interaction. These optimized drug combinations were significantly more potent than monotherapies of all individual drugs (p < 0.001, CI < 0.3).
Full-color structured illumination optical sectioning microscopy
Authors: Qian Jia , Lei Ming , Dan Dan , Yao Baoli , Zhou Xing , Yang Yanlong , Yan Shaohui , Min Junwei , Yu Xianghua
Published: September 2015

In merits of super-resolved resolution and fast speed of three-dimensional (3D) optical sectioning capability, structured illumination microscopy (SIM) has found variety of applications in biomedical imaging. So far, most SIM systems use monochrome CCD or CMOS cameras to acquire images and discard the natural color information of the specimens. Although multicolor integration scheme are employed, multiple excitation sources and detectors are required and the spectral information is limited to a few of wavelengths. Here, we report a new method for full-color SIM with a color digital camera. A data processing algorithm based on HSV (Hue, Saturation and Value) color space is proposed, in which the recorded color raw images are processed in the Hue, Saturation, Value color channels and then reconstructed to a 3D image with full color. We demonstrated some 3D optical sectioning results on samples such as mixed pollen grains, insects, micro-chips and the surface of coins. The presented technique is applicable to some circumstance where color information plays crucial roles, such as in materials science and surface morphology.
Hepatitis C-like viruses are produced in cells from rabbit and hare DNA
Authors: Silva Eliane , Osório Hugo , Thompson Gertrude
Published: September 2015

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major causative agent of acute and chronic liver disease, belongs to the Flaviviridæ family and contains a single-strand positive-sense RNA genome, which upon virus entry and uncoating, functions as mRNAs and thus can be directly translated into proteins by host cell machinery. To date the HCV origin remains unclear and HCV life cycle and pathogenesis are not enlightened processes due to the absence of HCV efficient cell cultures systems or animals models. Here we show that rabbit and hare HCV-like viruses, RHCV and HHCV respectively, are formed after the inoculation of genomic DNA in Madin-Darby bovine kidney cell line cultures. RHCV is closely related to the HCV-1a/HCV-1b genotypes and HHCV is more closely related to the HCV-1b genotype. These findings could contribute to the understanding of HCV origin as well as clarify the virus life cycle, pathogenesis, evolution and diversity.
Forebrain microglia from wild-type but not adult 5xFAD mice prevent amyloid-β plaque formation in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures
Authors: Hellwig Sabine , Masuch Annette , Nestel Sigrun , Katzmarski Natalie , Meyer-Luehmann Melanie , Biber Knut
Published: September 2015

The role of microglia in amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition is controversial. In the present study, an organotypic hippocampal slice culture (OHSC) system with an in vivo-like microglial-neuronal environment was used to investigate the potential contribution of microglia to Aβ plaque formation. We found that microglia ingested Aβ, thereby preventing plaque formation in OHSCs. Conversely, Aβ deposits formed rapidly in microglia-free wild-type slices. The capacity to prevent Aβ plaque formation was absent in forebrain microglia from young adult but not juvenile 5xFamilial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) mice. Since no loss of Aβ clearance capacity was observed in both wild-type and cerebellar microglia from 5xFAD animals, the high Aβ1−42 burden in the forebrain of 5xFAD animals likely underlies the exhaustion of microglial Aβ clearance capacity. These data may therefore explain why Aβ plaque formation has never been described in wild-type mice and point to a beneficial role of microglia in AD pathology. We also describe a new method to study Aβ plaque formation in a cell culture setting.
Evaluating the Usefulness of Spring Water: Production of Trihalomethanes from Chlorination
Authors: MANAKA Yumi , GOTO Masayuki , SATO Chie
Published: September 2015

Spring water has long been utilized by the residents of Japan. Currently, spring water receives much attention because it contains naturally occurring minerals and many people travel from afar to partake of its perceived benefits. Many sources of suitable quality and quantity are designated by the Ministry of Environment as providing high-quality water. The names and locations of these spring water sources can easily be obtained on-line. Although there are concerns related to the effects from microorganisms since there is no sterilization, the use of spring waters as sources of drinking water has gained more attention due to the naturally derived, high-quality minerals contained in them. In this study, we investigated whether chlorination of spring waters from five different sources would result in formation of trihalomethanes, a disinfection by-product of public health concern. These spring waters were also analysed for water temperature, pH levels, turbidity, chromaticity, and TOC. The objective was to consider the possibility of utilizing spring water as a safe and useful water resource. We found that four spring waters with water collection facilities satisfied the water quality standards for drinking water for pH, turbidity, and chromaticity levels. These spring waters were also found to have low concentrations of organic contaminants. Due to the low quantity of organic substances, very low concentrations of trihalomethane were produced as a by-product of chlorination. On the basis of these results, we believe that in the future, the chlorination of spring water can potentially be used to secure safe, high-quality, and palatable drinking water.
Effects of Water Treatment Technology and UV Disinfection on NOM Fractions and BDOC:Experiences From Full-Scale Facilities in Norway
Authors: Eikebrokk Bjornar
Published: September 2015

Since 2009, UV-irradiation has been the dominant method of primary water disinfection in Norway, applied at close to 1000 facilities. Prior to UV treatment, one out of three primary water treatment processes are being used: (i) Enhanced coagulation (EC), (ii) Nanofiltration (NF), or (iii) Ozone and biofiltration (OBF). With natural organic matter (NOM) laden source waters and chlorine-free distribution systems, safeguarding of high NOM removal efficiency and biostability are important issues in Norwegian water supplies. The effects of water treatment technology and UV disinfection on NOM, NOM fraction removal and biostability, measured as biodegradable organic carbon (BDOC) were investigated at a number of full-scale WTPs in Norway. Samples of untreated raw water, from different treatment steps and from the distribution system were analysed using rapid NOM fractionation and columns-in-series BDOC techniques. In addition, the formation of biofilm and deposits on pieces of PE pipes was studied in continuous biofilm monitors (BFMs) fed with untreated raw water and treated (distributed) water. The results show significant differences among the treatment technologies: EC or NF treatments were capable of reducing NOM (DOC) effectively and maintaining BDOC levels close to zero after treatment. For the investigated OBF-facilities the results show that the hydrophobic NOM fractions were transformed by ozone to hydrophilic and more biodegradable fractions, thereby increasing the BDOC significantly, thus increasing the potentials for biological regrowth and elevated heterotrophic plate counts in the distribution systems. For all facilities investigated, BDOC levels were found to correlate well (R2>0.85) with the hydrophilic NOM content. Furthermore, the results indicate that with the UV-disinfectant doses normally applied (40 mJ/cm2), no significant effects were identified on NOM fractions or BDOC levels. The results from the biofilm monitors (BFMs) show that the amounts of TOC and ATP correlate well with the amount of metals (e.g. Fe) in the deposits, thus indicating that adsorption of NOM and microorganisms to metal precipitates on the pipe wall is an important deposition mechanism.
Changes in Inorganic Nitrogen Ratio ([NH4+-N]/[NO3−-N]) During Ozonation of Drinking Water and Its Application for Micropollutant Removal Prediction
Authors: De Vera G. A. D. , Farré M. J. , Gernjak W. , Keller J.
Published: September 2015

During the ozonation of drinking water, ozone and •OH react with organic matter including dissolved organic nitrogen. The extent of oxidation by these species varies depending on the water quality and conditions in which ozonation is performed. The contribution of these oxidants toward the overall oxidation process is commonly determined using the RCT value, where exposures of ozone and •OH are quantified from the decay of both ozone and p-chlorobenzoic acid (an •OH probe compound). We have recently shown that changes in ozone and •OH exposures can be indirectly evaluated from the concentrations of NO3−-N and NH4+-N, and that RCT values have a direct relationship with [NH4+-N]/[NO3−-N]. This present study aims to confirm the relationship using actual water samples taken from ozonation plants. For this purpose, inorganic nitrogen concentrations were determined from samples before and after ozonation. The actual inorganic nitrogen concentrations measured from the treatment plant were compared with the results obtained from laboratory batch experiments. It was observed that nitrate and ammonium levels in batch experiments increased after ozonation, and agreed well with the inorganic nitrogen concentrations obtained in actual treatment plant samples. Furthermore, the RCT values calculated from the [NH4+-N]/[NO3−-N] were also used to predict the % removal of ibuprofen, carbamazepine, and atrazine. Experimental results were predicted well using the indirectly measured RCT. These results demonstrate the potential of monitoring inorganic nitrogen species produced from dissolved organic nitrogen oxidation to evaluate the performance of an ozonation process.
Risk-Based Approach to the Formation of DBPs of Concern in UK Drinking Water
Authors: Dillon G. , Shepherd D. , Hall T. , Gee R. , Parker J. , Rumsby P.
Published: September 2015

Water companies in the UK are required to operate their disinfection processes to keep the concentration of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water as low as possible. At present, this is can be achieved largely by maintaining trihalomethane (THM) and haloacetic acid (HAA) levels below regulated or guideline values. However, several hundred DBPs have been identified and the increasing emphasis on a risk-based approach to water quality is likely to make consideration of these a priority. Routine monitoring and analysis for the wide range of known DBPs would be impractical, if not impossible. However, knowledge of the factors that lead to their formation and mitigation would allow other DBPs to be considered in a risk-based approach. This paper outlines raw water characteristics and water treatment processes that promote the formation of different categories of DBPs. Indicative concentrations and toxicological properties for the different categories of DBPs are combined to yield a prioritisation factor that indicates the potential for the formation of DBPs under different water treatment scenarios. This risk-based approach has been encapsulated in a spreadsheet-based tool developed for assessing the potential formation of DBPs at water treatment works.
Nanogram level quantification of molybdenum(vi) by novel hyphenated SDME/DRS-FTIR in human biological fluid
Authors: Sen Bhupendra K. , Tiwari Swapnil , Deb Manas Kanti , Pervez Shamsh
Published: September 2015

A novel hyphenated single-drop micro-extraction (SDME) diffuse-reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (DRS-FTIR) technique was employed for the quantification of hexavalent molybdenum, i.e., Mo(vi) in human blood serum and urine.
Detection and imaging of fatty plaques in blood vessels using functionalized carbon dots
Authors: Shanti Krishna A. , Radhakumary C. , Sreenivasan K.
Published: September 2015

Lighting the killer deposits on arterial walls: digitonin conjugated carbon dots enable the fluorescence imaging of cholesterol deposits in biological tissues.
An efficient low-temperature route to nitrogen-doping and activation of mesoporous carbons for CO2 capture
Authors: Huang Kuan , Chai Song-Hai , Mayes Richard T. , Veith Gabriel M. , Browning Katie L. , Sakwa-Novak Miles A. , Potter Matthew E. , Jones Christopher W. , Wu You-Ting , Dai Sheng
Published: September 2015

Nitrogen-doping of soft-templated mesoporous carbons is achieved at low temperatures (230–380 °C) and high yields (>90%) by using sodium amide.
Bright fluorogenic squaraines with tuned cell entry for selective imaging of plasma membrane vs. endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Collot Mayeul , Kreder Rémy , Tatarets Anatoliy L. , Patsenker Leonid D. , Mely Yves , Klymchenko Andrey S.
Published: September 2015

A rational design of amphiphilic squaraine dyes tunes cell entry, allowing for selective far-red/near-infrared imaging of plasma membrane vs. endoplasmic reticulum at 1 nM probe concentration.
A new approach for bio-jet fuel generation from palm oil and limonene in the absence of hydrogen
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Zhao Chen
Published: September 2015

A new solution using a carbon-chain filling strategy is proposed to convert C10 terpene and lipids to jet fuel ranged hydrocarbons with aromatic hydrocarbon ingredients in the absence of hydrogen.
Diversity-oriented synthesis of tetrathia[8]circulenes by sequential C–H borylation and annulation
Authors: Kato Shohei , Serizawa Yuma , Sakamaki Daisuke , Seki Shu , Miyake Yoshihiro , Shinokubo Hiroshi
Published: September 2015

We have succeeded in the diversity-oriented synthesis of tetrathia[8]circulenes by sequential C–H borylation and annulation from cyclic tetrathiophene.
Interfacial ordering of thermotropic liquid crystals triggered by the secondary structures of oligopeptides
Authors: Wang Xiaoguang , Yang Pei , Mondiot Frederic , Li Yaoxin , Miller Daniel S. , Chen Zhan , Abbott Nicholas L.
Published: September 2015

Ordering at phospholipid-decorated interfaces of liquid crystals is influenced by the secondary structure of oligopeptides.
Dual fluorescent deoxyguanosine mimics for FRET detection of G-quadruplex folding
Authors: Blanchard Darian J. M. , Cservenyi Thomas Z. , Manderville Richard A.
Published: September 2015

Replacement of deoxyguanosine (dG) nucleobases within G-tetrads of G-quadruplex folding oligonucleotides with donor (D)/acceptor (A) fluorescent 8aryldG residues provides diagnostic FRET signalling for G-quadruplex detection.
A one-step co-condensation method for the synthesis of well-defined functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 using trimethallylsilanes as organosilane sources
Authors: Han Ye Ri , Park Jung-Woo , Kim Hanil , Ji Hyejeong , Lim Soo Hyun , Jun Chul-Ho
Published: September 2015

Well-defined functionalized mesoporous SBA-15s are synthesized by a one-step co-condensation method using functional group-impregnated trimethallylsilanes.
Recent advances in the application of total scattering methods to functional materials
Authors: Mancini Alessandro , Malavasi Lorenzo
Published: September 2015

In this Feature Article, we provide a description of some of the most recent results obtained in the field of materials science by means of total scattering methods and PDF analysis.
Tuning the Ising-type anisotropy in trigonal bipyramidal Co(ii) complexes
Authors: Shao Feng , Cahier Benjamin , Guihéry Nathalie , Rivière Eric , Guillot Régis , Barra Anne-Laure , Lan Yanhua , Wernsdorfer Wolfgang , Campbell Victoria E. , Mallah Talal
Published: September 2015

Imposing a trigonal bipyramidal geometry to a central Co(ii) ion with long equatorial Co–S bonds results in a complex that exhibits large Ising-type anisotropy.
Bio-inspired formation of nanostructured arrays on flexible substrates with superoleophobicity
Authors: Meng Xinghua , Deng Da
Published: September 2015

A bio-inspired synthesis of nanoarrays on a flexible substrate using Mn3(PO4)2·3H2O as a model is demonstrated and achieves superoleophobicity.
Quantum chemical protocols for modeling reactions and spectra in astrophysical ice analogs: the challenging case of the C+ + H2O reaction in icy grain mantles
Authors: Woon David E.
Published: September 2015

Icy grain mantles that accrete on refractory dust particles in the very cold interstellar medium or beyond the snow line in protoplanetary disks serve as minute incubators for heterogeneous chemistry.
Two equivalent methyl internal rotations in 2,5-dimethylthiophene investigated by microwave spectroscopy
Authors: Van Vinh , Stahl Wolfgang , Nguyen Ha Vinh Lam
Published: September 2015

The dual-rotor problem of a heterocyclic five-membered ring was studied and an insightful labeling scheme for the molecular symmetry group G36is given.
Uniform Fe3O4 coating on flower-like ZnO nanostructures by atomic layer deposition for electromagnetic wave absorption
Authors: Wan Gengping , Wang Guizhen , Huang Xianqin , Zhao Haonan , Li Xinyue , Wang Kan , Yu Lei , Peng Xiange , Qin Yong
Published: September 2015

A uniform ZnO@Fe3O4 core–shell structure is prepared by an ALD method, which shows great potential for microwave absorption materials.
Curcumin prevents cisplatin-induced decrease in the tight and adherens junctions: relation to oxidative stress
Authors: Trujillo Joyce , Molina-Jijón Eduardo , Medina-Campos Omar Noel , Rodríguez-Muñoz Rafael , Reyes José Luis , Loredo María L. , Barrera-Oviedo Diana , Pinzón Enrique , Rodríguez-Rangel Daniela Saraí , Pedraza-Chaverri José
Published: September 2015

Curcumin decreases cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by decreasing oxidative stress and loss of intercellular junctions.
Hesperetin and its sulfate and glucuronide metabolites inhibit TNF-α induced human aortic endothelial cell migration and decrease plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels
Authors: Giménez-Bastida Juan Antonio , González-Sarrías Antonio , Vallejo Fernando , Espín Juan Carlos , Tomás-Barberán Francisco A.
Published: September 2015

Hesperetin and its derived metabolites, at physiologically relevant concentrations, significantly attenuated TNF-α-induced cell migration.
“Clickable” thiol-functionalized nanoporous polymers: from their synthesis to further adsorption of gold nanoparticles and subsequent use as efficient catalytic supports
Authors: Le Droumaguet Benjamin , Poupart Romain , Grande Daniel
Published: September 2015

Thiol-coated nanoporous materials are engineered from polystyrene-block-poly(d,l-lactide) precursors having a disulfide junction. Further adsorption of GNPs on pore surface provides novel supported catalysts.
A microfluidic capacitive immunosensor system for human cartilage chitinase-3-like protein 2 (hYKL-39) quantification as an osteoarthritis marker in synovial joint fluid
Authors: Chaocharoen W. , Ranok A. , Suginta W. , Schulte A.
Published: September 2015

Flow-based electrochemical osteoarthritis biomarker quantification in joint synovial fluid has been established as first alternative to optical ELISA assays.
Arylhydrazones of barbituric acid: synthesis, coordination ability and catalytic activity of their CoII, CoII/IIIand CuIIcomplexes toward peroxidative oxidation of alkanes
Authors: Palmucci Jessica , Mahmudov Kamran T. , Guedes da Silva M. Fátima C. , Martins Luísa M. D. R. S. , Marchetti Fabio , Pettinari Claudio , Pombeiro Armando J. L.
Published: September 2015

Arylhydrazones of barbituric acid are valuable ligands for CoII, CoII/IIIand CuIIleading to mononuclear complexes which effectively catalyse the oxidation of cyclohexane.
Predicting the optimum compositions of a parenteral nanoemulsion system loaded with azithromycin antibiotic utilizing the artificial neural network model
Authors: Daood Ghaidaa S. , Basri Hamidon , Stanslas Johnson , Fard Masoumi Hamid Reza , Basri Mahiran
Published: September 2015

For the purpose of brain delivery via intravenous administration, the formulation of an azithromycin-loaded nanoemulsion system was optimized utilizing the artificial neural network (ANN) as a multivariate statistical technique.
Suppressing the skin–core structure in injection-molded HDPE parts via the combination of pre-shear and UHMWPE
Authors: Wang Zhen , Zheng Guoqiang , Wang Bo , Dai Kun , Guo John Zhanhu , Liu Chuntai , Shen Changyu
Published: September 2015

Skin–core structure of a injection-molded high density polyethylene (HDPE) part is largely relieved due to the synergetic effects of pre-shear and UHMWPE, leading to a remarkable increase of tensile strength.
Detection of terahertz radiation from 2.52 THz CO2 laser using a 320 × 240 vanadium oxide microbolometer focal plane array
Authors: Gou Jun , Wang Jun , Zheng Xing , Gu Deen , Yu He , Jiang Yadong
Published: September 2015

Real-time, continuous-wave THz detection and imaging were demonstrated with a 320 × 240 VOx FPA detector with a nanostructured Ti thin film absorber.
New insights into electrolyte-component biased and transfer- and transport-limited charge recombination in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Gao Dong-Li , Wang Yi , Zhang Ping , Fu Li-Min , Ai Xi-Cheng , Zhang Jian-Ping
Published: September 2015

Charge recombination takes place, respectively, within the frameworks of transfer- and transport-limited recombination mechanisms, at low and high electron density.
Cost-effective aqueous-phase synthesis of long copper nanowires
Authors: Tang Zengmin , Shahzad Aasim , Kim Woo-Sik , Yu Taekyung
Published: September 2015

This work describes a simple and cost-effective aqueous-phase synthesis of Cu nanowires with long-term stability. Chloride ions and branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) were found to be of great importance to the formation and stabilization of Cu nanowires.
Strain-induced semimetal-to-semiconductor transition and indirect-to-direct band gap transition in monolayer 1T-TiS2
Authors: Xu Chengyong , Brown Paul A. , Shuford Kevin L.
Published: September 2015

We have investigated the effect of uniform plane strain on the electronic properties of monolayer 1T-TiS2using first-principles calculations. With the appropriate tensile strain, the material properties can be transformed from a semimetal to a direct band gap semiconductor.
Effect of size and oxidation state of platinum nanoparticles on the electrocatalytic performance of graphene-nanoparticle composites
Authors: Mondal Avijit , Jana Nikhil R.
Published: September 2015

Size and oxidation state of Pt nanoparticles significantly influence the electrocatalytic performance of Pt–graphene nanocomposites for methanol oxidation and 2.2 nm Pt with variable oxidation states offers the best catalytic activity and durability.
Pressure-induced phase transition in hydrogen-bonded molecular crystal acetamide: combined Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction study
Authors: Kang Lei , Wang Kai , Li Shourui , Li Xiaodong , Zou Bo
Published: September 2015

Two structural phase transitions are observed at ∼0.9 and ∼3.2 GPa in acetamide usingin situsynchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman scattering techniques.
Photoinduced curcumin derivative-coatings with antibacterial properties
Authors: Condat M. , Mazeran P.-E. , Malval J.-P. , Lalevée J. , Morlet-Savary F. , Renard E. , Langlois V. , Abbad Andalloussi S. , Versace D.-L.
Published: September 2015

Synthesis of antibacterial coatings derived from epoxidized soybean oil and curcumin for the efficient inhibition of bacteria proliferation.