bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural product derived insecticides: discovery and development of spinetoram
Authors: Galm Ute , Sparks Thomas C
Published: November 2015

This review highlights the importance of natural product research and industrial microbiology for product development in the agricultural industry, based on examples from Dow AgroSciences. It provides an overview of the discovery and development of spinetoram, a semisynthetic insecticide derived by a combination of a genetic block in a specific O-methylation of the rhamnose moiety of spinosad coupled with neural network-based QSAR and synthetic chemistry. It also emphasizes the key role that new technologies and multidisciplinary approaches play in the development of current spinetoram production strains.
Mineral Mapping of Lunar Highland Region using Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) Hyperspectral Data
Authors: Sivakumar V. , Neelakantan R.
Published: November 2015

Mineral mapping of lunar surface is significant to understand the origin, crustal evolution, geological history and stratigraphy of the Moon. Advancements in orbital satellite sensor technology has allowed discriminating the minerals on lunar surface using hyperspectral data. The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) onboard Chandrayaan-1 provides unprecedented data of lunar surface to study about the Moon. In this paper, the minerals in and around Wegener crater on the lunar highland region was investigated using M3 data. For this purpose, we used spectral similarity mapping (SSM) and band shape methods to discriminate minerals in this region. In SSM, dimensionality of M3 data is reduced using Maximum Noise Fraction (MNF) and spectral end-members are extracted through Pixel Purity Index (PPI) algorithm. The mineralogical diversity is classified using Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) algorithm. In addition, different band shape algorithms such as band curvature (bc), band strength (bs), band tilt (bt) and band ratio (br) at crucial wavelengths are applied to recognise the minerals. Low-Ca pyroxene (LCP) minerals are identified in and around this region. The presence of LCP minerals may be attributed to magmatic differentiation or later stage layered mafic intrusions.
Laterite Covered Mafic-ultramafic Rocks: Potential Target for Chromite Exploration – A Case Study from Southern Part of Tangarparha, Odisha
Authors: Mandal Animesh , Mohanty William K. , Sharma Shashi Prakash , Gupta Saibal
Published: November 2015

Exposed chromite deposits in the Sukinda belt, Odisha, India, have already been identified and exploited; but a large part of the area is covered by laterite and remains unexplored. As a case study to establish the feasibility of chromite exploration under laterite rocks, an integrated ground-based gravity, magnetic and very low frequency (VLF) - electromagnetic study was performed over a laterite-covered area at Tangarparha within the belt. North of the present laterite-covered area, a quartzofeldspathic gneiss contains proved chromite pods within ultramafic complexes. The gneiss-laterite contact is depicted by a transition from low to high in both gravity and magnetic anomaly maps at the northern part of the present study area. High Bouguer and residual anomalies (> 10 mGal and > 1 mGal, respectively) within the laterite-covered area indicates the existence of a high density rock in the sub-surface. The 2D models of the residual gravity anomaly depict the presence of high density (> 3570 kg/m3) layer under the laterite cover. The 2D magnetic models mostly reveal shallow surface effects of laterite covers. However, along profiles P2 and P3 high magnetic susceptibilities are detected at depths ≥20 m, and are likely to be caused by sub-surface chromite mineralization, as the locations are coincident with gravity highs. High current densities in VLF profiles are also recorded at the same locations confirming the presence of conducting sub-surface layer. Thus, the zone with high density, magnetic susceptibility and conductivity is most likely to be a chromitite-bearing sub-surface layer. The targeted chromite ore is distributed in east-west direction in the form of discontinuous pods of variable vertical thickness and strike lengths at the central-eastern part of profiles P2 and P3. The present study demonstrates that integrated use of ground gravity, magnetic and VLF techniques can effectively identify the target chromite deposits even under lateritic cover.
Can Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic Survey Detect Graphite Deposits in the Subsurface? Initial Results from Daltanganj, Jharkhand
Authors: Biswas Arkoprovo , Sharma Shashi Prakash
Published: November 2015

Very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) survey has been carried out near an open cast mine of graphite deposit in Daltanganj, India. The area has a small mineable open cast mine where mining companies are digging randomly to excavate graphite deposits. The miners fail to find a good amount of graphite deposit as they do not have any prior knowledge about the actual structure and deposition. Since graphite is a non-metallic mineral but holds high conductivity contrast with its neighboring host rocks (Granite gneiss/schist), electromagnetic survey is suitable to map the area. Therefore VLF-EM survey was conducted near the open cast mine to determine the sub-surface graphite deposit and their structural control. The present study shows that there are thick conducting zones associated mainly with graphite mineralization located near to the old mine with a depth of around 40 m and width of ~ 80m. VLF-EM effectively utilized to target the sub-surface graphite mineralization and associated structures in reducing the cost and time for further geophysical surveys. However, other geoelectrical methods can be used to validate the graphite deposits.
Thermally Altered Coals from Bore Core EBM-1, East Bokaro Coal Field, Damodar Valley, India: A Petrographic Inference
Authors: Mahesh S. , Murthy Srikanta , Singh Vikram Partap , Roy Jyoti Shankar
Published: November 2015

Petrographic analysis of the coals from bore core EBM-1 of East Bokaro Coalfield revealed characteristic changes as a result of thermal alteration by an intrusive body. The enhancement of ‘rank’ (increase in the VRr% values) is observed in the heat affected coal in the lower part of the bore core. The vitrinite in the coal at a depth of 984.95 m showed devolatilization vacuoles and initiation of mosaic structure due to heat alteration, dessication cracks and micropores. Meta-liptinite having reflectance value higher (1.67%) than that of the host vitrinite (1.09% - 1.36%) was also recorded. Bi-reflectance values of the un-altered coals were normal in the range of 0.06% - 0.09% where as the altered coal at a depth of 984.95 m showed an abnormal increase in the values (0.23%). Presence of secondary injected mineral matter and char particles further indicate the effect of thermal alteration. Palynological investigation of both altered and un-altered coal reveals that the palynomorphs recovered from the altered coal are dark and opaque due to the charring effect while the palynomorphs from un-altered coals exhibit a clear internal structure and can be easily identified.
Rainfall and Anthropogenically Accelerated Mass Movement in the Outer Himalaya, North of Dharamshala Town, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh: A Cause of Concern
Authors: Sharma Rajwant , Sharma Umesh Kumar , Mahajan A.K.
Published: November 2015

The present study has been done to evaluate the lithotectonic, geomorphic, hydrological and climatic factors responsible for the Tirah Line landslide, as well as, the anthropogenic factors that have augmented the damage potential of the slide. The town of Dharamsala and its suburbs in the Kangra valley provide a type example where unplanned development and urbanization has added to the hazard from landslides beside other factors. A devastating landslide occurred on 7th August, 2013 near Tirah Line locality of Dharamsala cantonment area, district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, and damaged more than 25 houses completely. An estimated 0.1 sq.km of area of unconsolidated mass slid SSE down the terminal part of a thick alluvial fan on the left bank of the local drainage. The slide occurred after continuous heavy to very heavy rainfall for 4 days in August 2013 in the region when all the drainage remained in bankful position. Factors involved in slide were steep slope, continuous infiltration of water soak pits (sewage system) located up slopes, continuous heavy to very heavy rainfall and toe erosion by local drainage. The slide was moved in multiple phases due to continuous rainfall in the area.
A Review on ‘Geo-ecological Studies’ - An Interdisciplinary Approach for Evaluation and Sustainable Management of ‘Geo-ecosystems’
Authors: Kumar Amit , Deshmukh Benidhar
Published: November 2015

Review of literature on relevance and utility of geo-ecological studies revealed that these were applied to deal with various issues of geo-ecosystem such as natural resources management, characterization of ecosystems, characterization of landscapes, soil, environment, climate change, and vegetation modeling. It was observed that the period from 1970 to 1990 was the conceptual phase of geo-ecological studies and its applications gained momentum after 1990. Though reported from limited regions worldwide, geo-ecological applications have yielded significant results, however, their potential is not fully utilized. There is a need to adopt and popularize geo-ecology to deal with complex geo-ecosystem issues using modern geospatial tools like remote sensing and geographic information system. These tools are capable of multilayered analyses of voluminous baseline data required for geo-ecological investigations. A comprehensive geo-ecological information system (GEIS) may also be created for a region, which will act as decision support system for planners and administrators.
Governance and policy capacity in health development and implementation in Australia
Authors: Hughes A , Gleeson D , Legge D , Lin V
Published: November 2015

This article examines policy capacity in the context of Australian health authorities in relation to the challenges confronting policy workers and senior managers in these agencies. The article reports the challenges identified by our informants in relation to political structures, roles and responsibilities of other portfolios and governments, interactions between policy officials and with the minister and the minister's office, whole of government policy approaches, stakeholder and public demands and expectations, and media pressures. The experience of these senior managers and policy workers is then reinterpreted in terms of a nodal governance model. The findings from the Australian study on policy capacity, interpreted in the context of nodal governance, is then used to discuss the features of “governance capacity” as articulated in the matrix model of policy capacity developed by Wu, Ramesh and Howlett (2015).
Historia Verdadera de la Conquista de la Nueva España
Authors: Díaz del Castillo Bernal
Published: November 2015

Bernal Díaz del Castillo (1492–1584) was a foot soldier in the army of Mexico's conqueror Hernán Cortés. The first edition of his True History of the Conquest of New Spain (as it was entitled in a later English translation) was published in Madrid in 1632 from a manuscript copy sent to Spain shortly after the author's death. Written in a highly accessible style, and describing the experiences of the troops themselves rather than seeing events from an officer's perspective, the work became even more successful than the official accounts and went through many editions and translations. The two-volume edition reissued here was first published in 1904 and is considered a more reliable text, as it was based on the original manuscript preserved in Guatemala City. Volume 2 contains chapters 140–214 and the index to both volumes.
Annals of the Reformation and Establishment of Religion
Authors: Strype John
Published: November 2015

The ecclesiastical historian John Strype (1643–1737) published the third volume of his monumental Elizabethan religious history Annals of the Reformation in 1728. For over two and a half centuries it remained one of the most important Protestant histories of the period and has been reprinted in numerous editions. Volume 3 Part 1 covers the years 1581 to 1587. It focuses on diplomacy with Spain and the build up to the attack of the Spanish Armada; relations with Scotland and the trial and execution of Mary Queen of Scots; friendship with the Low Countries and other Protestant allies in Europe; and works of religious polemic and the death of John Fox in 1587. Strype's thorough use of sources and the enormous scope and detail of his history has ensured its place as an outstanding work of eighteenth-century scholarship. It should be read by every student of Elizabethan religious history.
Modification
Authors: Morzycki Marcin
Published: November 2015

Modifiers and modification have been a major focus of inquiry for as long as the formal study of semantics has existed, and remain at the heart of major theoretical debates in the field. Modification offers comprehensive coverage of a wide range of topics, including vagueness and gradability, comparatives and degree constructions, the lexical semantics of adjectives and adverbs, crosscategorial regularities, and the relation between meaning and syntactic category. Morzycki guides the reader through the varied and sometimes mysterious phenomena surrounding modification and the ideas that have been proposed to account for them. Presenting disparate approaches in a consistent analytical framework, this accessibly written work, which includes an extensive glossary of technical terms, is essential reading for researchers and students of all levels in linguistics, the philosophy of language and psycholinguistics.
Why Switzerland?
Authors: Steinberg Jonathan
Published: November 2015

Revised and completely updated edition of Jonathan Steinberg's classic account of Switzerland's unique political and economic system. Why Switzerland? examines the complicated voting system that allows citizens to add, strike out, or vote more than once for candidates, with extremely complicated systems of proportional representation; a collective and consensual executive leadership in both state and church; and the creation of the Swiss idea of citizenship, with tolerance of differences of language and religion, and a perfectionist bureaucracy which regulates the well-ordered society. This third edition tries to test the flexibility of the Swiss way of politics in the globalized world, social media, the huge expansion of money in world circulation and the vast tsunamis of capital which threaten to swamp it. Can the complex machinery that has maintained Swiss institutions for centuries survive globalization, neo-liberalism and mass migration from poor countries to rich ones?
FABRICS OF LOYALTY: THE POLITICS OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY WAX PRINT CLOTH IN CAMEROON
Authors: Pommerolle Marie-Emmanuelle , Ngaméni Nadine Machikou
Published: November 2015

Based on a study of the International Women's Day (8 March), a truly popular event in Cameroon, this article attempts to understand the dynamics of state mobilization in this long-lasting regime. By observing the production and use of one of its symbolic objects, thepagne du 8 mars(a dedicated wax print), it sheds significant light on the social fabric of loyalty and the articulation of loyalist and disruptive popular mobilizations and allows us to move beyond ready-made, state-centred explanations. As an object of exchange and social distinction, thepagneprovides women with a variety of ways of interacting (or not interacting) with the state and with men. Although, on the face of it, the act of dressing in the day's cloth may be seen as an expression of collective loyalty to the regime, one cannot assume that it represents a single, undifferentiated approach to authority. Licentious behaviour while wearing thispagnemay even represent a real condemnation of moral and political power imposed on women. For the moment, however, this ritual and its popular mobilization are sufficient for the government's purposes: it is able to point to the event as an example of its capacity to mobilize its female citizens, thereby showing that its claims to legitimacy are well-founded.
A paper-based microfluidic biosensor integrating zinc oxide nanowires for electrochemical glucose detection
Authors: Li Xiao , Zhao Chen , Liu Xinyu
Published: November 2015

This paper reports an electrochemical microfluidic paper-based analytical device (EμPAD) for glucose detection, featuring a highly sensitive working electrode (WE) decorated with zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs). In addition to the common features of μPADs, such as their low costs, high portability/disposability, and ease of operation, the reported EμPAD has three further advantages. (i) It provides higher sensitivity and a lower limit of detection (LOD) than previously reported μPADs because of the high surface-to-volume ratio and high enzyme-capturing efficiency of the ZnO NWs. (ii) It does not need any light-sensitive electron mediator (as is usually required in enzymatic glucose sensing), which leads to enhanced biosensing stability. (iii) The ZnO NWs are directly synthesized on the paper substrate via low-temperature hydrothermal growth, representing a simple, low-cost, consistent, and mass-producible process. To achieve superior analytical performance, the on-chip stored enzyme (glucose oxidase) dose and the assay incubation time are tuned. More importantly, the critical design parameters of the EμPAD, including the WE area and the ZnO-NW growth level, are adjusted to yield tunable ranges for the assay sensitivity and LOD. The highest sensitivity that we have achieved is 8.24 μA·mM−1·cm−2, with a corresponding LOD of 59.5 μM. By choosing the right combination of design parameters, we constructed EμPADs that cover the range of clinically relevant glucose concentrations (0−15 mM) and fully calibrated these devices using spiked phosphate-buffered saline and human serum. We believe that the reported approach for integrating ZnO NWs on EμPADs could be well utilized in many other designs of EμPADs and provides a facile and inexpensive paradigm for further enhancing the device performance.
Transcriptional regulation of PIN genes by FOUR LIPS and MYB88 during Arabidopsis root gravitropism
Authors: Wang Hong-Zhe , Yang Ke-Zhen , Zou Jun-Jie , Zhu Ling-Ling , Xie Zi Dian , Morita Miyo Terao , Tasaka Masao , Friml Jiří , Grotewold Erich , Beeckman Tom , Vanneste Steffen , Sack Fred , Le Jie
Published: November 2015

PIN proteins are auxin export carriers that direct intercellular auxin flow and in turn regulate many aspects of plant growth and development including responses to environmental changes. The Arabidopsis R2R3-MYB transcription factor FOUR LIPS (FLP) and its paralogue MYB88 regulate terminal divisions during stomatal development, as well as female reproductive development and stress responses. Here we show that FLP and MYB88 act redundantly but differentially in regulating the transcription of PIN3 and PIN7 in gravity-sensing cells of primary and lateral roots. On the one hand, FLP is involved in responses to gravity stimulation in primary roots, whereas on the other, FLP and MYB88 function complementarily in establishing the gravitropic set-point angles of lateral roots. Our results support a model in which FLP and MYB88 expression specifically determines the temporal-spatial patterns of PIN3 and PIN7 transcription that are closely associated with their preferential functions during root responses to gravity.
GRPR-targeted Protein Contrast Agents for Molecular Imaging of Receptor Expression in Cancers by MRI
Authors: Pu Fan , Qiao Jingjuan , Xue Shenghui , Yang Hua , Patel Anvi , Wei Lixia , Hekmatyar Khan , Salarian Mani , Grossniklaus Hans E. , Liu Zhi-Ren , Yang Jenny J.
Published: November 2015

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is differentially expressed on the surfaces of various diseased cells, including prostate and lung cancer. However, monitoring temporal and spatial expression of GRPR in vivo by clinical MRI is severely hampered by the lack of contrast agents with high relaxivity, targeting capability and tumor penetration. Here, we report the development of a GRPR-targeted MRI contrast agent by grafting the GRPR targeting moiety into a scaffold protein with a designed Gd3+ binding site (ProCA1.GRPR). In addition to its strong binding affinity for GRPR (Kd = 2.7 nM), ProCA1.GRPR has high relaxivity (r1 = 42.0 mM−1s−1 at 1.5 T and 25 °C) and strong Gd3+ selectivity over physiological metal ions. ProCA1.GRPR enables in vivo detection of GRPR expression and spatial distribution in both PC3 and H441 tumors in mice using MRI. ProCA1.GRPR is expected to have important preclinical and clinical implications for the early detection of cancer and for monitoring treatment effects.
Visible-Light Actinometry and Intermittent Illumination as Convenient Tools to Study Ru(bpy)3Cl2 Mediated Photoredox Transformations
Authors: Pitre Spencer P. , McTiernan Christopher D. , Vine Wyatt , DiPucchio Rebecca , Grenier Michel , Scaiano Juan C.
Published: November 2015

Photoredox catalysis provides many green opportunities for radical-mediated synthetic transformations. However, the determination of the underlying mechanisms has been challenging due to lack of quantitative methods that can be easily implemented in synthetic labs, where this research tends to be centered. We report here on the development, characterization and calibration of a novel actinometer based on the photocatalyst tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) chloride (Ru(bpy)3Cl2). By using the same molecule as the photocatalyst and the actinometer, we eliminate problems associated with matching sample spectral distribution, lamp-sample spectral overlap and other problems intrinsic to doing quantitative photochemistry in a laboratory that has little expertise in this area. In order to validate our actinometer system in determining the quantum yield of a Ru(bpy)3Cl2 photosensitized reaction, we test the Ru(bpy)3Cl2 catalyzed oxidation of benzhydrol to benzophenone as a model chain reaction. We also revive the rotating sector method by updating the technique for modern LED technologies and demonstrate how intermittent illumination on the timescale of milliseconds to seconds can help probe a chain reaction, using the benzhydrol to benzophenone oxidation to validate the technique. We envision these methods to have great implications in the field of photoredox catalysis, providing researchers with valuable research tools.
Structural insights into HetR−PatS interaction involved in cyanobacterial pattern formation
Authors: Hu Hai-Xi , Jiang Yong-Liang , Zhao Meng-Xi , Cai Kun , Liu Sanling , Wen Bin , Lv Pei , Zhang Yonghui , Peng Junhui , Zhong Hui , Yu Hong-Mei , Ren Yan-Min , Zhang Zhiyong , Tian Changlin , Wu Qingfa , Oliveberg Mikael , Zhang Cheng-Cai , Chen Yuxing , Zhou Cong-Zhao
Published: November 2015

The one-dimensional pattern of heterocyst in the model cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 is coordinated by the transcription factor HetR and PatS peptide. Here we report the complex structures of HetR binding to DNA and its hood domain (HetRHood) binding to a PatS-derived hexapeptide (PatS6) at 2.80 and 2.10 Å, respectively. The intertwined HetR dimer possesses a couple of novel HTH motifs, each of which consists of two canonical α-helices in the DNA-binding domain and an auxiliary α-helix from the flap domain of the neighboring subunit. Two PatS6 peptides bind to the lateral clefts of HetRHood and trigger significant conformational changes of the flap domain, resulting in dissociation of the auxiliary α-helix and eventually release of HetR from the DNA major grove. These findings provide the structural insights into a prokaryotic example of Turing model.
Histone deacetylase 3 inhibition re-establishes synaptic tagging and capture in aging through the activation of nuclear factor kappa B
Authors: Sharma Mahima , Shivarama Shetty Mahesh , Arumugam Thiruma Valavan , Sajikumar Sreedharan
Published: November 2015

Aging is associated with impaired plasticity and memory. Altered epigenetic mechanisms are implicated in the impairment of memory with advanced aging. Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) is an important negative regulator of memory. However, the role of HDAC3 in aged neural networks is not well established. Late long-term potentiation (late-LTP), a cellular correlate of memory and its associative mechanisms such as synaptic tagging and capture (STC) were studied in the CA1 area of hippocampal slices from 82–84 week old rats. Our findings demonstrate that aging is associated with deficits in the magnitude of LTP and impaired STC. Inhibition of HDAC3 augments the late-LTP and re-establishes STC. The augmentation of late-LTP and restoration of STC is mediated by the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) pathway. We provide evidence for the promotion of associative plasticity in aged neural networks by HDAC3 inhibition and hence propose HDAC3 and NFκB as the possible therapeutic targets for treating age -related cognitive decline.
Genetic Associations of Interleukin-related Genes with Graves’ Ophthalmopathy: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Wong Kah Hie , Rong Shi Song , Chong Kelvin K. L. , Young Alvin L. , Pang Chi Pui , Chen Li Jia
Published: November 2015

Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) is the commonest extra-thyroidal manifestation of Graves’ disease (GD). Associations between interleukin-related (IL) gene polymorphisms and GO have been reported in different populations. We aim to confirm such associations by conducting a meta-analysis. Totally 382 publications were retrieved in MEDLINE and EMBASE up to 25/2/2015. After removing the duplicates and assessing the studies, we retrieved 16 studies that met the selection criteria for meta-analysis, involving 12 polymorphisms in 8 IL-related genes and 1650 GO cases and 2909 GD controls. The summary odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. We found one polymorphism in IL1A (rs1800587, c.-889C>T) showing a suggestive association with GO in the meta-analysis (allelic model [T vs. C]: OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.00–2.62, P = 0.050, I2 = 53.7%; recessive model [TT vs. TC + CC]: OR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.07–5.37, P = 0.039, I2 = 23.6%; heterozygous model [TC vs. CC]: OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.04–2.22, P = 0.034, I2 = 37.0%). No association with GO was detected for the other 7 genes (IL1B, IL1RA, IL4, IL6, IL12B, IL13 and IL23R). Our results thus indicate that IL1A is likely to be a genetic biomarker for GO. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm the associations of IL1A and other IL-related genes with GO.
Diffractive Optical Analysis for Refractive Index Sensing using Transparent Phase Gratings
Authors: Kumawat Nityanand , Pal Parama , Varma Manoj
Published: November 2015

We report the implementation of a micro-patterned, glass-based photonic sensing element that is capable of label-free biosensing. The diffractive optical analyzer is based on the differential response of diffracted orders to bulk as well as surface refractive index changes. The differential read-out suppresses signal drifts and enables time-resolved determination of refractive index changes in the sample cell. A remarkable feature of this device is that under appropriate conditions, the measurement sensitivity of the sensor can be enhanced by more than two orders of magnitude due to interference between multiply reflected diffracted orders. A noise-equivalent limit of detection (LoD) of 6 × 10−7 was achieved with this technique with scope for further improvement.
Spontaneous brain activity following fear reminder of fear conditioning by using resting-state functional MRI
Authors: Feng Pan , Zheng Yong , Feng Tingyong
Published: November 2015

Although disrupting reconsolidation may be a promising approach to attenuate or erase the expression of fear memory, it is not clear how the neural state following fear reminder contribute to the following fear extinction. To address this question, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to measure spontaneous neuronal activity and functional connectivity (RSFC) following fear reminder. Some brain regions such as dorsal anterior cingulate (dACC) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) showed increased amplitude of LFF (ALFF) in the fear reminder group than the no reminder group following fear reminder. More importantly, there was much stronger functional connectivity between the amygdala and vmPFC in the fear reminder group than those in the no reminder group. These findings suggest that the strong functional connectivity between vmPFC and amygdala following a fear reminder could serve as a key role in the followed-up fear extinction stages, which may contribute to the erasing of fear memory.
Electrostatic-Force-Assisted Dispensing Printing to Construct High-Aspect-Ratio of 0.79 Electrodes on a Textured Surface with Improved Adhesion and Contact Resistivity
Authors: Shin Dong-Youn , Yoo Sung-Soo , Song Hee-eun , Tak Hyowon , Byun Doyoung
Published: November 2015

As a novel route to construct fine and abnormally high-aspect-ratio electrodes with excellent adhesion and reduced contact resistivity on a textured surface, an electrostatic-force-assisted dispensing printing technique is reported and compared with conventional dispensing and electrohydrodynamic jet printing techniques. The electrostatic force applied between a silver paste and the textured surface of a crystalline silicon solar cell wafer significantly improves the physical adhesion of the electrodes, whereas those fabricated using a conventional dispensing printing technique peel off with a silver paste containing 2 wt% of a fluorosurfactant. Moreover, the contact resistivity and dimensionless deviation of total resistance are significantly reduced from 2.19 ± 1.53 mΩ·cm2 to 0.98 ± 0.92 mΩ·cm2 and from 0.10 to 0.03, respectively. By utilizing electrodes with an abnormally high-aspect-ratio of 0.79 (the measured thickness and width are 30.4 μm and 38.3 μm, respectively), the cell efficiency is 17.2% on a polycrystalline silicon solar cell with an emitter sheet resistance of 60 Ω/sq. This cell efficiency is considerably higher than previously reported values obtained using a conventional electrohydrodynamic jet printing technique, by +0.48–3.5%p.
Five-aza-2′-deoxycytidine-induced hypomethylation of cholesterol 25-hydroxylase gene is responsible for cell death of myelodysplasia/leukemia cells
Authors: Tsujioka Takayuki , Yokoi Akira , Itano Yoshitaro , Takahashi Kentaro , Ouchida Mamoru , Okamoto Shuichiro , Kondo Toshinori , Suemori Shin-ichiro , Tohyama Yumi , Tohyama Kaoru
Published: November 2015

DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMT inhibitors) are administered for high-risk MDS, but their action mechanisms are not fully understood. Hence, we performed a genome-wide DNA methylation assay and focused on cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H) among the genes whose expression was up-regulated and whose promoter region was hypomethylated after decitabine (DAC) treatment in vitro. CH25H catalyzes hydroxylation of cholesterol and produces 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC). Although CH25H mRNA expression level was originally low in MDS/leukemia cell lines, exposure to DNMT inhibitors enhanced CH25H mRNA expression. The promoter region of CH25H was originally hypermethylated in HL-60 and MDS-L cells, but DAC treatment induced their hypomethylation together with increased CH25H mRNA expression, activation of CH25H-oxysterol pathway, 25-OHC production and apoptotic cell death. We further confirmed that normal CD34-positive cells revealed hypomethylated status of the promoter region of CH25H gene. CH25H-knockdown by transfection of shRNA lentiviral vector into the cell lines partially protected the cells from DAC-induced cell death. Exogenous addition of 25-OHC suppressed leukemic cell growth. The present study raises a possibility that DNMT inhibitors activate CH25H-oxysterol pathway by their hypomethylating mechanism and induce leukemic cell death. Further investigations of the promoter analysis of CH25H gene and therapeutic effects of DNMT inhibitors on MDS/leukemia will be warranted.
Upregulation of Ih expressed in IB4-negative Aδ nociceptive DRG neurons contributes to mechanical hypersensitivity associated with cervical radiculopathic pain
Authors: Liu Da-Lu , Lu Na , Han Wen-Juan , Chen Rong-Gui , Cong Rui , Xie Rou-Gang , Zhang Yu-Fei , Kong Wei-Wei , Hu San-Jue , Luo Ceng
Published: November 2015

Cervical radiculopathy represents aberrant mechanical hypersensitivity. Primary sensory neuron’s ability to sense mechanical force forms mechanotransduction. However, whether this property undergoes activity-dependent plastic changes and underlies mechanical hypersensitivity associated with cervical radiculopathic pain (CRP) is not clear. Here we show a new CRP model producing stable mechanical compression of dorsal root ganglion (DRG), which induces dramatic behavioral mechanical hypersensitivity. Amongst nociceptive DRG neurons, a mechanically sensitive neuron, isolectin B4 negative Aδ-type (IB4− Aδ) DRG neuron displays spontaneous activity with hyperexcitability after chronic compression of cervical DRGs. Focal mechanical stimulation on somata of IB4- Aδ neuron induces abnormal hypersensitivity. Upregulated HCN1 and HCN3 channels and increased Ih current on this subset of primary nociceptors underlies the spontaneous activity together with neuronal mechanical hypersensitivity, which further contributes to the behavioral mechanical hypersensitivity associated with CRP. This study sheds new light on the functional plasticity of a specific subset of nociceptive DRG neurons to mechanical stimulation and reveals a novel mechanism that could underlie the mechanical hypersensitivity associated with cervical radiculopathy.
Molecular basis of canalization in an ascidian species complex adapted to different thermal conditions
Authors: Sato Atsuko , Kawashima Takeshi , Fujie Manabu , Hughes Samantha , Satoh Noriyuki , Shimeld Sebastian M.
Published: November 2015

Canalization is a result of intrinsic developmental buffering that ensures phenotypic robustness under genetic variation and environmental perturbation. As a consequence, animal phenotypes are remarkably consistent within a species under a wide range of conditions, a property that seems contradictory to evolutionary change. Study of laboratory model species has uncovered several possible canalization mechanisms, however, we still do not understand how the level of buffering is controlled in natural populations. We exploit wild populations of the marine chordate Ciona intestinalis to show that levels of buffering are maternally inherited. Comparative transcriptomics show expression levels of genes encoding canonical chaperones such as Hsp70 and Hsp90 do not correlate with buffering. However the expression of genes encoding endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones does correlate. We also show that ER chaperone genes are widely conserved amongst animals. Contrary to previous beliefs that expression level of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) can be used as a measurement of buffering levels, we propose that ER associated chaperones comprise a cellular basis for canalization. ER chaperones have been neglected by the fields of development, evolution and ecology, but their study will enhance understanding of both our evolutionary past and the impact of global environmental change.
Macroscopic CNT fibres inducing non-epitaxial nucleation and orientation of semicrystalline polymers
Authors: Yue Hangbo , Monreal-Bernal Alfonso , Fernández-Blázquez Juan P. , Llorca Javier , Vilatela Juan J.
Published: November 2015

In the presence of macroscopic fibres of carbon nanotubes (CNT), various semicrystalline polymers are shown to present accelerated crystallisation through the formation of a transcrystalline (TC) layer perpendicular to the fibre axis. From differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction we establish this to be due to much faster nucleation rates at the fibre surface. The formation of a TC layers is demonstrated for polyvinyldene fluoride, isotactic polypropylene and poly(lactic acid) in spite of the large differences in their chemistry and structure unit cells, suggesting that epitaxy in terms of lattice type or size matching is not a prerequisite. For the three polymers as well as poly(ether ether ketone), the TC layer is identically oriented with the chain axis in the lamella parallel to the CNTs, as observed by wide and small angle X-ray scattering. These results point to polymer chain orientation at the point of adsorption and the formation of a mesomorphic layer as possible steps in the fast nucleation of oriented lamella, with wetting of the CNT fibre surface by the molten semi-crystalline polymer a key condition for heterogeneous nucleation to take place.
Role of the clock gene Bmal1 and the gastric ghrelin-secreting cell in the circadian regulation of the ghrelin-GOAT system
Authors: Laermans J. , Vancleef L. , Tack J. , Depoortere I.
Published: November 2015

As adequate food intake is crucial to survival, organisms have evolved endogenous circadian clocks to generate optimal temporal patterns of food-related behavior and physiology. The gastric ghrelin-secreting cell is thought to be part of this network of peripheral food-entrainable oscillators (FEOs), regulating the circadian release of this orexigenic peptide. This study aimed to determine the role of the core clock gene Bmal1 and the gastric ghrelin-secreting cell as an FEO in the circadian rhythmicity of ghrelin expression and secretion in vivo and in vitro. Bmal1-deficient mice not only lacked circadian rhythmicity in plasma ghrelin levels and food intake, but also showed decreased gastric mRNA expression of ghrelin and ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT), the ghrelin activating enzyme. Furthermore, in the absence of the hypothalamic master clock, food-related stimuli entrained the molecular clock of gastric ghrelinoma cells to regulate the rhythmic release of ghrelin. Divergent responses in octanoyl and total ghrelin release towards different food cues were observed, suggesting that the FEO also regulates the circadian rhythmicity of GOAT. Collectively, these findings indicate that circadian rhythmicity of ghrelin signaling requires Bmal1 and is driven by a food-responsive clock in the gastric ghrelin-secreting cell that not only regulates ghrelin, but also GOAT activity.
Effectiveness and safety of Glucosamine, chondroitin, the two in combination, or celecoxib in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee
Authors: Zeng Chao , Wei Jie , Li Hui , Wang Yi-lun , Xie Dong-xing , Yang Tuo , Gao Shu-guang , Li Yu-sheng , Luo Wei , Lei Guang-hua
Published: November 2015

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin, the two in combination, or celecoxib in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched through from inception to February 2015. A total of 54 studies covering 16427 patients were included. Glucosamine plus chondroitin, glucosamine alone and celecoxib were all more effective than placebo in pain relief and function improvement. Specifically, celecoxib is most likely to be the best treatment option, followed by the combination group. All treatment options showed clinically significant improvement from baseline pain, but only glucosamine plus chondroitin showed clinically significant improvement from baseline function. In terms of the structure-modifying effect, both glucosamine alone and chondroitin alone achieved a statistically significant reduction in joint space narrowing. Although no significant difference was observed among the five options with respect to the three major adverse effects (withdrawal due to adverse events, serious adverse events and the number of patients with adverse events), the additional classical meta-analysis showed that celecoxib exhibited a higher rate of gastrointestinal adverse effect comparing with the placebo group. The present study provided evidence for the symptomatic efficacy of glucosamine plus chondroitin in the treatment of knee OA.
Magnetic interactions in the Zn-Co-O system: tuning local structure, valence and carrier type from extremely Co doped ZnO to ZnCo2O4
Authors: Henne Bastian , Ney Verena , Ollefs Katharina , Wilhelm Fabrice , Rogalev Andrei , Ney Andreas
Published: November 2015

We have investigated the relation between local structure, valence and carrier type with magnetism in the Zn-Co-O system. Thin films ranging from wurtzite Zn1−xCoxO (Co:ZnO) to ZnCo2O4 spinel were grown on c-sapphire substrates. On the one hand, the unprecedented doping of x = 0.6 Co in ZnO enables to study the structural and magnetic properties well-above the coalescence limit. On the other hand, the ZnCo2O4 spinel provides a p-type environment. We find a strong correlation between local structure, valence and carrier type throughout the Zn-Co-O system. In contrast to earlier publications neither 60% Co:ZnO nor ZnCo2O4 exhibit any sign of ferromagnetic order despite of the high concentration of magnetic ions and a p-type carrier background. Instead, antiferromagnetic exchange is found to be the predominant magnetic interaction in the Zn-Co-O system.
Novel morphology changes from 3D ordered macroporous structure to V2O5 nanofiber grassland and its application in electrochromism
Authors: Tong Zhongqiu , Lv Haiming , Zhang Xiang , Yang Haowei , Tian Yanlong , Li Na , Zhao Jiupeng , Li Yao
Published: November 2015

Because vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) is the only oxide that shows both anodic and cathodic coloration electrochromism, the reversible lithium ion insertion/extraction processes in V2O5 lead to not only reversible optical parameter changes but also multicolor changes for esthetics. Because of the outstanding electrochemical properties of V2O5 nanofibers, they show great potential to enhance V2O5 electrochromism. However, the development and practical application of V2O5 nanofibers are still lacking, because traditional preparation approaches have several drawbacks, such as multiple processing steps, unsatisfactory electrical contact with the substrate, expensive equipment and rigorous experimental conditions. Herein, we first report a novel and convenient strategy to prepare grass-like nanofiber-stacked V2O5 films by a simple annealing treatment of an amorphous, three-dimensionally ordered macroporous vanadia film. The V2O5 nanofiber grassland exhibits promising transmittance modulation, fast switching responses and high color contrast because of the outstanding electrochemical properties of V2O5 nanofibers as well as the high Li-ion diffusion coefficients and good electrical contact with the substrate. Moreover, the morphology transformation mechanism is investigated in detail.
p53/PUMA expression in human pulmonary fibroblasts mediates cell activation and migration in silicosis
Authors: Wang Wei , Liu Haijun , Dai Xiaoniu , Fang Shencun , Wang Xingang , Zhang Yingming , Yao Honghong , Zhang Xilong , Chao Jie
Published: November 2015

Phagocytosis of SiO2 into the lung causes an inflammatory cascade that results in fibroblast proliferation and migration, followed by fibrosis. Clinical evidence has indicated that the activation of alveolar macrophages by SiO2 produces rapid and sustained inflammation characterized by the generation of monocyte chemotactic protein 1, which, in turn, induces fibrosis. However, the details of events downstream of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 activity in pulmonary fibroblasts remain unclear. Here, to elucidate the role of p53 in fibrosis induced by silica, both the upstream molecular mechanisms and the functional effects on cell proliferation and migration were investigated. Experiments using primary cultured adult human pulmonary fibroblasts led to the following results: 1) SiO2 treatment resulted in a rapid and sustained increase in p53 and PUMA protein levels; 2) the MAPK and PI3K pathways were involved in the SiO2-induced alteration of p53 and PUMA expression; and 3) RNA interference targeting p53 and PUMA prevented the SiO2-induced increases in fibroblast activation and migration. Our study elucidated a link between SiO2-induced p53/PUMA expression in fibroblasts and cell migration, thereby providing novel insight into the potential use of p53/PUMA in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for silicosis treatment.
Particle size measurement from infrared laser ablation of tissue
Authors: Cao Fan , Donnarumma Fabrizio , Murray Kermit K.
Published: November 2015

The concentration and size distribution were measured for particles ablated from tissue sections using an infrared optical parametric oscillator laser system.
A highly sensitive strategy for base excision repair enzyme activity detection based on graphene oxide mediated fluorescence quenching and hybridization chain reaction
Authors: Xi Qiang , Li Jun-Jie , Du Wen-Fang , Yu Ru-Qin , Jiang Jian-Hui
Published: November 2015

We report a highly sensitive strategy for UDG activity detection by combining HCR amplification and a GO-based fluorescence quenching platform.
Nanostructures for protein drug delivery
Authors: Pachioni-Vasconcelos Juliana de Almeida , Lopes André Moreni , Apolinário Alexsandra Conceição , Valenzuela-Oses Johanna Karina , Costa Juliana Souza Ribeiro , Nascimento Laura de Oliveira , Pessoa Adalberto , Barbosa Leandro Ramos Souza , Rangel-Yagui Carlota de Oliveira
Published: November 2015

Nanostructured systems, such as nanoemulsions and polymersomes, are important tools to develop safe and effective therapeutic protein preparations.
Carbamoyl anion-initiated cascade reaction for stereoselective synthesis of substituted α-hydroxy-β-amino amides
Authors: Lin Chao-Yang , Ma Peng-Ju , Sun Zhao , Lu Chong-Dao , Xu Yan-Jun
Published: November 2015

A carbamoyl anion-initiated cascade reaction with acylsilanes and imines allows rapid construction of substituted α-hydroxy-β-amino amides in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities.
Atomic/molecular layer deposition: a direct gas-phase route to crystalline metal–organic framework thin films
Authors: Ahvenniemi E. , Karppinen M.
Published: November 2015

Atomic/molecular layer deposition offers us an elegant way of fabricating crystalline copper(ii)terephthalate metal–organic framework (MOF) thin films on various substrate surfaces.
Affinity-based release of polymer-binding peptides from hydrogels with the target segments of peptides
Authors: Serizawa Takeshi , Fukuta Hiroki , Date Takaaki , Sawada Toshiki
Published: November 2015

Peptides with affinities for the target segments of polymer hydrogels were identified by phage display methods and exhibited affinity-based release capability from the hydrogels. The sustained anticancer effects of the drug-conjugated peptides were also demonstrated by their release from the hydrogels.
Enantioselective [4+4] photodimerization of anthracene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid mediated by a C2-symmetric chiral template
Authors: Maturi Mark M. , Fukuhara Gaku , Tanaka Koichiro , Kawanami Yuko , Mori Tadashi , Inoue Yoshihisa , Bach Thorsten
Published: November 2015

A chiral template was shown to bind the title compound by hydrogen bonding resulting in enantioselectivities of up to 55% enantiomeric excess (ee) in the [4+4] anthracene photodimerization.
A simple analytical model for signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) process
Authors: Barskiy Danila A. , Pravdivtsev Andrey N. , Ivanov Konstantin L. , Kovtunov Kirill V. , Koptyug Igor V.
Published: November 2015

An analytical model was derived for signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) process based on the combined analysis of chemical kinetics and the evolution of a nuclear spin ensemble.
A new medium for triplet–triplet annihilated upconversion and photocatalytic application
Authors: Ye Changqing , Wang Jingjing , Wang Xiaomei , Ding Ping , Liang Zuoqin , Tao Xutang
Published: November 2015

The effect of an OH-containing medium on low power upconversion with high efficiency (about 36%) was determined in alcohol solvent containing beta-cyclodextrin.