bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate with beta‐cyclodextrin and its application in wood‐flour/polypropylene composites
Authors: Wang Wen , Peng Yao , Chen Hui , Gao Qiang , Li Jianzhang , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2015

In order to improve the hydrophilicity of ammonium polyphosphate (APP), as well as its compatibility with composite matrix, in this research, beta‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was crosslinked by polydiphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI) and used as clothing to prepare microencapsulated APP (MCAPP) via polymerization in situ. Then, APP and MCAPP were mixed with wood‐flour and polypropylene to manufacture wood‐flour/polypropylene composites (WPCs) by hot pressing. Both APP and MCAPP were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water solubility tests, and water contact angle (WCA) tests. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimetry tests were used to investigate the flame retardancy of WPCs. Moreover, laser Raman spectroscopy and real‐time FTIR (RT‐FTIR) were used to explore the flame retardant mechanism. Results indicated that APP was successfully coated by the crosslinked β‐CD. MCAPP showed lower water solubility and better surface hydrophobicity, and WPC/MCAPP performed better flame retardnacy and mechanical properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2312–2320, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Grafting design: a strategy to increase the performance of radiation‐grafted membranes
Authors: Sproll Véronique , Schmidt Thomas J , Gubler Lorenz
Published: October 2015

The polymer design concept of short versus long side chains was successfully adapted to radiation‐grafted membranes, the fabrication of which is an easy and up‐scalable process. This concept was investigated by the generation of two model membranes based on polystyrene sulfonic acid‐grafted ethylene‐alt‐tetrafluoroethylene, prepared using a low versus high irradiation dose. It was shown to be essential to adjust the grafting parameters of both systems to obtain two membranes with similar composition in through‐plane direction. In particular, the high‐dose system showed pronounced grafting fronts. A structure–property correlation was found regarding the influence of the graft lengths on the performance characteristics of electron beam‐grafted ethylene‐alt‐tetrafluoroethylene‐based proton exchange membranes, e.g. the membrane type associated with a higher number density of short grafted chains showed higher water sorption behaviour as well as increased proton conductivity, especially in the lower relative humidity range. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Nanodiamond‐Mediated Intercellular Transport of Proteins through Membrane Tunneling Nanotubes
Authors: Epperla Chandra Prakash , Mohan Nitin , Chang Che‐Wei , Chen Chia‐Chun , Chang Huan‐Cheng
Published: October 2015

Recently discovered tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are capable of creating intercellular communication pathways through which transport of proteins and other cytoplasmic components occurs. Intercellular transport is related to many diseases and nanotubes are potentially useful as drug‐delivery channels for cancer therapy. Here, we apply fluorescent nanodiamond (FND) as a photostable tracker, as well as a protein carrier, to illustrate the transport events in TNTs of human cells. Proteins, including bovine serum albumin and green fluorescent protein, are first coated on 100‐nm FNDs by physical adsorption and then single‐particle tracking of the bioconjugates in the transient membrane connections is carried out by fluorescence microscopy. Stop‐and‐go and to‐and‐fro motions mediated by molecular motors are found for the active transport of protein‐loaded FNDs trapped in the endosomal vehicles of human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T). Quantitative analysis of the heterotypical transport between HEK293T and SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells by flow cytometry confirm the formation of open‐ended nanotubes between them, despite that their TNTs differ in structural components. Our results demonstrate the promising applications of this novel carbon‐based nanomaterial for intercellular delivery of biomolecular cargo down to the single‐particle level.
Robust principal component analysis‐based coherency identification of generators with missing PMU measurements
Authors: Qing Xiangyun , Wang Shaobo , Jia Tinggang , Niu Yugang
Published: October 2015

This study provides a new algorithm for grouping coherent generators in power systems using robust principal component analysis. In coherency identification of generators based on measurements by a phasor measurement unit (PMU), PMU measurements can become unavailable because of unexpected failure of data acquisition or communication links. However, the proposed algorithm is robust to missing PMU measurements and is demonstrated on an IEEE 16‐generator 68‐bus system. This effective identification of coherent clusters with missing PMU measurements is validated and compared with results obtained using the principal component analysis and independent component analysis methods. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Antenatal pelvic floor biometry is related to levator ani muscle injury
Authors: Chan S. S. C. , Cheung R. Y. K. , Yiu K. W. , Lee L. L. , Chung T. K. H.
Published: October 2015

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between antenatal pelvic floor biometry and levator ani muscle (LAM) injury in Chinese women.

Methods

Three‐dimensional transperineal ultrasound was performed in nulliparous Chinese women with a singleton pregnancy at 9–12 weeks, 26–28 weeks and 36–38 weeks of gestation and again at 12 months after delivery. Hiatal anteroposterior (AP) diameter, transverse diameter and area were measured on the antenatal ultrasound volumes obtained at rest, on Valsalva maneuver and during pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFMC). LAM injury was evaluated using ultrasound volumes obtained during PFMC at 12 months after delivery.

Results

In total, 328 women completed the study. At 12 months after delivery, 38 (14.8% of those who delivered vaginally) women had LAM injury; 28 were unilateral (14 right‐ and 14 left‐sided) and 10 were bilateral. In all three trimesters there was smaller hiatal AP diameter and hiatal area in women with LAM injury when compared with women without injury. On multivariable analysis of the three factors, hiatal AP diameter at rest, hiatal area at rest and operative vaginal delivery, only hiatal AP diameter at rest in all three trimesters was an independent factor of LAM injury. A larger hiatal AP diameter at rest in the first, second and third trimesters reduced the likelihood of LAM injury with odds ratios of 0.21, 0.15 and 0.21, respectively.

Conclusions

A smaller antenatal hiatal AP diameter at rest is a risk factor for LAM injury. The hiatal AP diameter is relatively simple to measure and the error in measurement is relatively small. A prospective study to confirm this relationship and to explore whether this measurement, performed in the midsagittal plane, is repeatable should be performed. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Tuning Cadmium Coordination Architectures by Phenylenediacetate Position Isomers and 1,4‐Bis(benzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene
Authors: Yu Min , Zhou Hong , Liu Guang‐Xiang
Published: October 2015

Three position isomers 1,2‐, 1,3‐, 1,4‐phenylenediacetate and 1,4‐bis(benzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (bmb) were used to assembly cadmium(II) coordination polymers, [Cd(bmb)(1,2‐phda)]n (1), {Cd(bmb)(1,3‐phda)]·0.5(bmb)}n (2), and [Cd(bmb)0.5(1,4‐phda)]n (3), which are characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectra (IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Single crystal structure analysis shows that complex 1 is a two‐dimensional wave‐like layer network. Complex 2 features a (3,5)‐connected three‐dimensional frameworks with (42.6)(42.65.83) topology, whereas complex 3 shows a (4,4)‐connected three‐dimensional (4.64.7)(42.62.82) topology. The structural versatility reveals that a significant structure‐directing effect of the position of the acetate groups during self‐assembly of these coordination polymers. Moreover, luminescent properties and thermal stabilities of three complexes were discussed in detail.
Sharing Power: The Case for Public Consultations on Trade
Authors: al Attar Mohsen , Clouthier Miriam
Published: October 2015

Since the 1960s, public consultation has emerged as an important democratic tool, allowing governments to inform, debate, and learn from the general public. Since the 1980s, international trade agreements have wielded significant influence over domestic law making, as an ever more ‘comprehensive’ set of topics is regulated via treaty. In Canada, these two trends have yet to meet. Neither the public nor Parliament is involved in trade policy making, raising concerns about the democratic legitimacy of expansive trade agreements. Through the lens of the recent Canada and European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), this article examines whether trade law’s consultation practices can be aligned with those of other federal government departments. We identify five key values that make consultations successful—diversity, education, commitment, accountability, and transparency—and consider the viability of their inclusion in trade consultations.
Managing Community Resilience to Climate Extremes, Rapid Unsustainable Urbanization, Emergencies of Scarcity, and Biodiversity Crises by Use of a Disaster Risk Reduction Bank
Authors: Canyon Deon V. , Burkle Frederick M. , Speare Rick
Published: October 2015

Earth’s climate is changing and national and international decision-makers are recognizing that global health security requires urgent attention and a significant investment to protect the future. In most locations, current data are inadequate to conduct a full assessment of the direct and indirect health impacts of climate change. All states require this information to evaluate community-level resilience to climate extremes and climate change. A model that is being used successfully in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand is recommended to generate rapid information to assist decision-makers in the event of a disaster. The model overcomes barriers to success inherent in the traditional ‘‘top-down’’ approach to managing crises and recognizes the capacity of capable citizens and community organizers to facilitate response and recovery if provided the opportunity and resources. Local information is a prerequisite for strategic and tactical statewide planning. Time and resources are required to analyze risks within each community and what is required to prevent (mitigate), prepare, respond, recover (rehabilitate), anticipate, and assess any threatening events. Specific requirements at all levels from state to community must emphasize community roles by focusing on how best to maintain, respond, and recover public health protections and the infrastructure necessary for health security. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:619–624)
Evaluation of the Work Safety and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Disability Support Workers
Authors: Harries Julia , Ng Ka Yiu Yoyo , Wilson Leah , Kirby Neil , Ford Jerry
Published: October 2015

This study investigated organisational factors impacting disability support worker (DSW) psychosocial wellbeing and work safety to understand the relationship between wellbeing, using measures of burnout and job satisfaction, and work conditions and safety performance. This study also investigated factors predicting wellbeing using the Job Demand-Control-Support (JDCS) model. A sample of 87 DSWs completed normed measures of burnout, work conditions, and safety climate. Results showed DSWs experienced significantly higher personal and work-related burnout but significantly lower client-related burnout. Although the JDCS model components did not all predict any single wellbeing measure, they each predicted aspects of burnout and job satisfaction, with these wellbeing measures associated with safety performance. Findings highlighted the importance of monitoring worker job demands, support availability, and job control to improve safety performance. Compared to normative data, DSWs were experiencing significantly higher role conflict, the negative impact of which was effectively moderated by support for personal and work-related burnout and job satisfaction. Findings suggest the need to consider DSW work conditions, and particularly work practices contributing to role conflict, as well as increasing support for DSWs to prevent the development of personal and work-related burnout. Findings suggest further research associated with client-related burnout is required.
Using 10-K Text to Gauge Financial Constraints
Authors: Bodnaruk Andriy , Loughran Tim , McDonald Bill
Published: October 2015

Measuring the extent to which a firm is financially constrained is critical in assessing capital structure. Extant measures of financial constraints focus on macro firm characteristics such as age and size, variables highly correlated with other firm attributes. We parse 10-K disclosures filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) using a unique lexicon based on constraining words. We find that the frequency of constraining words exhibits very low correlation with traditional measures of financial constraints and predicts subsequent liquidity events, such as dividend omissions or increases, equity recycling, and underfunded pensions, better than widely used financial constraint indexes.
Theinto-causativeconstruction in English: a construction-based perspective
Authors: KIM JONG-BOK , DAVIES MARK A.
Published: October 2015

The so-calledinto-causativeconstruction, involving the pattern ‘V NPintoV-ing’, raises intriguing questions in terms of lexical creativity as well as variation. This article, based on nearly 20,000 tokens from more than 1.3 billion words of text, from both British and American English, carries out a comprehensive corpus-based investigation of the construction. The article supports past research on certain types of variation in the use of the construction in British and American English, but sheds new light on how these may relate to diachronic shifts as well as to synchronic variation. The article also sketches a construction-based analysis to account for the grammatical properties of theinto-causativeconstruction. In particular, it shows that the construction, as an extension of the caused-motion construction, shares grammatical properties with its family constructions including the resultative andwayconstructions, but is distinctive from these in several respects. By allowing close interactions between the matrix verb and the grammatical constructions, the constructional view can also account for innovative uses of the construction.
A DEFINABLE -ADIC ANALOGUE OF KIRSZBRAUN’S THEOREM ON EXTENSIONS OF LIPSCHITZ MAPS
Authors: Cluckers Raf , Martin Florent
Published: October 2015

A direct application of Zorn’s lemma gives that every Lipschitz map $f:X\subset \mathbb{Q}_{p}^{n}\rightarrow \mathbb{Q}_{p}^{\ell }$ has an extension to a Lipschitz map $\widetilde{f}:\mathbb{Q}_{p}^{n}\rightarrow \mathbb{Q}_{p}^{\ell }$. This is analogous to, but easier than, Kirszbraun’s theorem about the existence of Lipschitz extensions of Lipschitz maps $S\subset \mathbb{R}^{n}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{\ell }$. Recently, Fischer and Aschenbrenner obtained a definable version of Kirszbraun’s theorem. In this paper, we prove in the $p$-adic context that $\widetilde{f}$ can be taken definable when $f$ is definable, where definable means semi-algebraic or subanalytic (or some intermediary notion). We proceed by proving the existence of definable Lipschitz retractions of $\mathbb{Q}_{p}^{n}$ to the topological closure of $X$ when $X$ is definable.
Quantifying randomness in real networks
Authors: Orsini Chiara , Dankulov Marija M. , Colomer-de-Simón Pol , Jamakovic Almerima , Mahadevan Priya , Vahdat Amin , Bassler Kevin E. , Toroczkai Zoltán , Boguñá Marián , Caldarelli Guido , Fortunato Santo , Krioukov Dmitri
Published: October 2015

Represented as graphs, real networks are intricate combinations of order and disorder. Fixing some of the structural properties of network models to their values observed in real networks, many other properties appear as statistical consequences of these fixed observables, plus randomness in other respects. Here we employ the dk-series, a complete set of basic characteristics of the network structure, to study the statistical dependencies between different network properties. We consider six real networks—the Internet, US airport network, human protein interactions, technosocial web of trust, English word network, and an fMRI map of the human brain—and find that many important local and global structural properties of these networks are closely reproduced by dk-random graphs whose degree distributions, degree correlations and clustering are as in the corresponding real network. We discuss important conceptual, methodological, and practical implications of this evaluation of network randomness, and release software to generate dk-random graphs.
αB-crystallin expression in breast cancer is associated with brain metastasis
Authors: Voduc K David , Nielsen Torsten O , Perou Charles M , Harrell J Chuck , Fan Cheng , Kennecke Hagen , Minn Andy J , Cryns Vincent L , Cheang Maggie C U
Published: October 2015

Background/objectives:

The molecular chaperone αB-crystallin is expressed in estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 ‘triple-negative’ breast carcinomas and promotes brain and lung metastasis. We examined αB-crystallin expression in primary breast carcinomas with metastatic data to evaluate its association with prognosis and site-specific metastases.

Methods:

αB-crystallin gene (CRYAB) expression was examined using publically available global-gene expression data (n=855 breast tumors) with first site of distant metastasis information (‘855Met’). αB-crystallin protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry using the clinically annotated British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA) tissue microarray (n=3,987 breast tumors). Kaplan–Meier and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the prognostic value of αB-crystallin. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate risks of αB-crystallin and other markers for site of metastasis.

Results:

In the 855Met data set, αB-crystallin gene (CRYAB) expression was an independent predictor of brain as the first distant site of relapse (hazards ratio, HR=1.2, (95% confidence interval, CI 1.0–1.4), P=0.021). In the BCCA series, αB-crystallin protein expression was an independent prognostic marker of poor breast cancer-specific survival (HR=1.3, (95% CI 1.1–1.6), P=0.014). Among patients with metastases, αB-crystallin was the strongest independent predictor of brain metastasis (odds ratio, OR=2.99 (95% CI 1.83–4.89), P<0.0001) and the only independent predictor of brain as the first site of distant metastasis (OR=3.15 (95% CI 1.43–6.95), P=0.005). αB-crystallin was also associated with worse survival (3.0 versus 4.7 months, P=0.007).

Conclusions:

αB-crystallin is a promising biomarker to identify breast cancer patients at high risk for early relapse in the brain, independent of estrogen receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 status.
Dental calculus evidence of Taï Forest Chimpanzee plant consumption and life history transitions
Authors: Power Robert C. , Salazar-García Domingo C. , Wittig Roman M. , Freiberg Martin , Henry Amanda G.
Published: October 2015

Dental calculus (calcified dental plaque) is a source of multiple types of data on life history. Recent research has targeted the plant microremains preserved in this mineralised deposit as a source of dietary and health information for recent and past populations. However, it is unclear to what extent we can interpret behaviour from microremains. Few studies to date have directly compared the microremain record from dental calculus to dietary records and none with long-term observation dietary records, thus limiting how we can interpret diet, food acquisition and behaviour. Here we present a high-resolution analysis of calculus microremains from wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) of Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. We test microremain assemblages against more than two decades of field behavioural observations to establish the ability of calculus to capture the composition of diet. Our results show that some microremain classes accumulate as long-lived dietary markers. Phytolith abundance in calculus can reflect the proportions of plants in the diet, yet this pattern is not true for starches. We also report microremains can record information about other dietary behaviours, such as the age of weaning and learned food processing techniques like nut-cracking.
The cell competition-based high-throughput screening identifies small compounds that promote the elimination of RasV12-transformed cells from epithelia
Authors: Yamauchi Hajime , Matsumaru Takanori , Morita Tomoko , Ishikawa Susumu , Maenaka Katsumi , Takigawa Ichigaku , Semba Kentaro , Kon Shunsuke , Fujita Yasuyuki
Published: October 2015

Recent studies have revealed that cell competition can occur between normal and transformed epithelial cells; normal epithelial cells recognize the presence of the neighboring transformed cells and actively eliminate them from epithelial tissues. Here, we have established a brand-new high-throughput screening platform that targets cell competition. By using this platform, we have identified Rebeccamycin as a hit compound that specifically promotes elimination of RasV12-transformed cells from the epithelium, though after longer treatment it shows substantial cytotoxic effect against normal epithelial cells. Among several Rebeccamycin-derivative compounds, we have found that VC1-8 has least cytotoxicity against normal cells but shows the comparable effect on the elimination of transformed cells. This cell competition-promoting activity of VC1-8 is observed both in vitro and ex vivo. These data demonstrate that the cell competition-based screening is a promising tool for the establishment of a novel type of cancer preventive medicine.
Random Plant Viral Variants Attain Temporal Advantages During Systemic Infections and in Turn Resist other Variants of the Same Virus
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Feng , Guo Jiangbo , Zhang Xiuchun , Meulia Tea , Paul Pierce , Madden Laurence V. , Li Dawei , Qu Feng
Published: October 2015

Infection of plants with viruses containing multiple variants frequently leads to dominance by a few random variants in the systemically infected leaves (SLs), for which a plausible explanation is lacking. We show here that SL dominance by a given viral variant is adequately explained by its fortuitous lead in systemic spread, coupled with its resistance to superinfection by other variants. We analyzed the fate of a multi-variant turnip crinkle virus (TCV) population in Arabidopsis and N. benthamiana plants. Both wild-type and RNA silencing-defective plants displayed a similar pattern of random dominance by a few variant genotypes, thus discounting a prominent role for RNA silencing. When introduced to plants sequentially as two subpopulations, a twelve-hour head-start was sufficient for the first set to dominate. Finally, SLs of TCV-infected plants became highly resistant to secondary invasions of another TCV variant. We propose that random distribution of variant foci on inoculated leaves allows different variants to lead systemic movement in different plants. The leading variants then colonize large areas of SLs and resist the superinfection of lagging variants in the same areas. In conclusion, superinfection resistance is the primary driver of random enrichment of viral variants in systemically infected plants.
'Visual’ parsing can be taught quickly without visual experience during critical periods
Authors: Reich Lior , Amedi Amir
Published: October 2015

Cases of invasive sight-restoration in congenital blind adults demonstrated that acquiring visual abilities is extremely challenging, presumably because visual-experience during critical-periods is crucial for learning visual-unique concepts (e.g. size constancy). Visual rehabilitation can also be achieved using sensory-substitution-devices (SSDs) which convey visual information non-invasively through sounds. We tested whether one critical concept – visual parsing, which is highly-impaired in sight-restored patients – can be learned using SSD. To this end, congenitally blind adults participated in a unique, relatively short (~70 hours), SSD-‘vision’ training. Following this, participants successfully parsed 2D and 3D visual objects. Control individuals naïve to SSDs demonstrated that while some aspects of parsing with SSD are intuitive, the blind’s success could not be attributed to auditory processing alone. Furthermore, we had a unique opportunity to compare the SSD-users’ abilities to those reported for sight-restored patients who performed similar tasks visually and who had months of eyesight. Intriguingly, the SSD-users outperformed the patients on most criteria tested. These suggest that with adequate training and technologies, key high-order visual features can be quickly acquired in adulthood and lack of visual-experience during critical-periods can be somewhat compensated for. Practically, these highlight the potential of SSDs as standalone-aids or combined with invasive restoration approaches.
Visualizing chemical states and defects induced magnetism of graphene oxide by spatially-resolved-X-ray microscopy and spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Y. F. , Singh Shashi B. , Limaye Mukta V. , Shao Y. C. , Hsieh S. H. , Chen L. Y. , Hsueh H. C. , Wang H. T. , Chiou J. W. , Yeh Y. C. , Chen C. W. , Chen C. H. , Ray Sekhar C. , Wang J. , Pong W. F. , Takagi Y. , Ohigashi T. , Yokoyama T. , Kosugi N.
Published: October 2015

This investigation studies the various magnetic behaviors of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxides (rGOs) and elucidates the relationship between the chemical states that involve defects therein and their magnetic behaviors in GO sheets. Magnetic hysteresis loop reveals that the GO is ferromagnetic whereas photo-thermal moderately reduced graphene oxide (M-rGO) and heavily reduced graphene oxide (H-rGO) gradually become paramagnetic behavior at room temperature. Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy and corresponding X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy were utilized to investigate thoroughly the variation of the C 2p(π*) states that are bound with oxygen-containing and hydroxyl groups, as well as the C 2p(σ*)-derived states in flat and wrinkle regions to clarify the relationship between the spatially-resolved chemical states and the magnetism of GO, M-rGO and H-rGO. The results of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism further support the finding that C 2p(σ*)-derived states are the main origin of the magnetism of GO. Based on experimental results and first-principles calculations, the variation in magnetic behavior from GO to M-rGO and to H-rGO is interpreted and the origin of ferromagnetism is identified as the C 2p(σ*)-derived states that involve defects/vacancies rather than the C 2p(π*) states that are bound with oxygen-containing and hydroxyl groups on GO sheets.
Species extinction thresholds in the face of spatially correlated periodic disturbance
Authors: Liao Jinbao , Ying Zhixia , Hiebeler David E. , Wang Yeqiao , Takada Takenori , Nijs Ivan
Published: October 2015

The spatial correlation of disturbance is gaining attention in landscape ecology, but knowledge is still lacking on how species traits determine extinction thresholds under spatially correlated disturbance regimes. Here we develop a pair approximation model to explore species extinction risk in a lattice-structured landscape subject to aggregated periodic disturbance. Increasing disturbance extent and frequency accelerated population extinction irrespective of whether dispersal was local or global. Spatial correlation of disturbance likewise increased species extinction risk, but only for local dispersers. This indicates that models based on randomly simulated disturbances (e.g., mean-field or non-spatial models) may underestimate real extinction rates. Compared to local dispersal, species with global dispersal tolerated more severe disturbance, suggesting that the spatial correlation of disturbance favors long-range dispersal from an evolutionary perspective. Following disturbance, intraspecific competition greatly enhanced the extinction risk of distance-limited dispersers, while it surprisingly did not influence the extinction thresholds of global dispersers, apart from decreasing population density to some degree. As species respond differently to disturbance regimes with different spatiotemporal properties, different regimes may accommodate different species.
A potential mechanism underlying atypical antipsychotics-induced lipid disturbances
Authors: Cai H L , Tan Q Y , Jiang P , Dang R L , Xue Y , Tang M M , Xu P , Deng Y , Li H D , Yao J K
Published: October 2015

Previous findings suggested that a four-protein complex, including sterol-regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP), SREBP-cleavage-activating protein (SCAP), insulin-induced gene (INSIG) and progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1), within the endoplasmic reticulum appears to be an important regulator responsible for atypical antipsychotic drug (AAPD)-induced lipid disturbances. In the present study, effects of typical antipsychotic drug and AAPDs as well as treatment outcome of steroid antagonist mifepristone (MIF) on the PGRMC1/INSIG/SCAP/SREBP pathway were investigated in rat liver using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analysis. In addition, serum triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, free fatty acids and various hormones including progesterone, corticosterone and insulin were measured simultaneously. Following treatment with clozapine or risperidone, both lipogenesis and cholesterogenesis were enhanced via inhibition of PGRMC1/INSIG-2 and activation of SCAP/SREBP expressions. Such metabolic disturbances, however, were not demonstrated in rats treated with aripiprazole (ARI) or haloperidol (HAL). Moreover, the add-on treatment of MIF was effective in reversing the AAPD-induced lipid disturbances by upregulating the expression of PGRMC1/INSIG-2 and subsequent downregulation of SCAP/SREBP. Taken together, our findings suggest that disturbances in lipid metabolism can occur at an early stage of AAPD treatment before the presence of weight gain. Such metabolic defects can be modified by an add-on treatment of steroid antagonist MIF enhancing the PGRMC1 pathway. Thus, it is likely that PGRMC1/INSIG-2 signaling may be a therapeutic target for AAPD-induced weight gain.
Utilising inorganic nanocarriers for gene delivery
Authors: Loh Xian Jun , Lee Tung-Chun , Dou Qingqing , Deen G. Roshan
Published: October 2015

The delivery of genetic materials into cells to elicit cellular response has been extensively studied by biomaterials scientists globally.
Synthesis, DNA binding, cellular DNA lesion and cytotoxicity of a series of new benzimidazole-based Schiff base copper(ii) complexes
Authors: Paul Anup , Anbu Sellamuthu , Sharma Gunjan , Kuznetsov Maxim L. , Koch Biplob , Guedes da Silva M. Fátima C. , Pombeiro Armando J. L.
Published: October 2015

The synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of a series of new benzimidazole-based Schiff base copper(ii) complexes.
Cyclometalated Ir(iii) complexes of deprotonated N-methylbipyridinium ligands: effects of quaternised N centre position on luminescence
Authors: Coe Benjamin J. , Helliwell Madeleine , Raftery James , Sánchez Sergio , Peers Martyn K. , Scrutton Nigel S.
Published: October 2015

The optical emission behaviour of tricationic IrIII complexes depends markedly on the position of the N-methyl unit in cyclometalating ligands.
The image charge effect and vibron-assisted processes in Coulomb blockade transport: a first principles approach
Authors: Souza A. M. , Rungger I. , Schwingenschlögl U. , Sanvito S.
Published: October 2015

We present a combination of density functional theory and of both non-equilibrium Green's function formalism and a Master equation approach to accurately describe quantum transport in molecular junctions in the Coulomb blockade regime.
Enhanced visible light and photocatalytic performance of TiO2 nanotubes by hydrogenation at lower temperature
Authors: Han Lijuan , Ma Zheng , Luo Zhihe , Liu Gang , Ma Jiantai , An Xingcai
Published: October 2015

The precursor with nanotubes structure can be hydrogenated easily in lower temperature comparing with nanobelts. The light absorption and photocatalytic activity of hydrogenated TiO2 nanotubes were enhanced drastically.
Well-dispersed graphene-polydopamine-Pd hybrid with enhanced catalytic performance
Authors: Ma Jian-Xin , Yang Honglei , Li Shuwen , Ren Ren , Li Jing , Zhang Xueyao , Ma Jiantai
Published: October 2015

A graphene-polydopamine hybrid was prepared and decorated with ultrafine Pd nanoparticles to give a stable catalyst that disperses well in polar solvents. Its catalytic activity was investigated in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol, K3[Fe(CN)6], methylene blue and rhodamine B.
Formation of defects in the graphite oxidization process: a positron study
Authors: Gong Wei , He Dongning , Tao Jinlong , Zhao Pengfei , Kong Lingxue , Luo Yongyue , Peng Zheng , Wang Hao
Published: October 2015

A difference in 2D-DBAR-ratio curves reveals different vacancy-like defects observed by positron measurements in unexfoliated graphite oxide and exfoliated graphene oxide samples.
Enhancement of thermal and pH stability of an alkaline metalloprotease by nano-hydroxyapatite and its potential applications
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Arka , Chakrabarti Krishanu
Published: October 2015

Protease stabilization using nanotechnology.
Biologically synthesized silver nanoparticle-based colorimetric sensor for the selective detection of Zn2+
Authors: Ihsan Muhammad , Niaz Abdul , Rahim Abdur , Zaman Muhammad Iqbal , Arain Muhammad Balal , Sirajuddin  , Sharif Tehmina , Najeeb Memoona
Published: October 2015

Schematic illustration for the colorimetric detection of Zn2+.
Improvement of the Ar/N2 binary plasma-treated carbon passivation layer deposited on Li4Ti5O12 electrodes for stable high-rate lithium ion batteries
Authors: Lan Chun-Kai , Chang Chun-Chi , Wu Cheng-Yu , Chen Bing-Hong , Duh Jenq-Gong
Published: October 2015

Improvement of the Ar/N2 binary plasma-treated carbon passivation layer deposited on Li4Ti5O12 electrodes for stable high-rate lithium ion battery.
An all solution-based process for the fabrication of superstrate-type configuration CuInS2 thin film solar cells
Authors: Cheshmekhavar Amir Hossein , Mahjoub Ali Reza , Fakhri Hanieh , Dehghani Mehdi
Published: October 2015

CuInS2 (CIS) thin films have proven to be promising candidates for photovoltaic technology but still the cost and safety of their fabrication processes remain challenging topics for research and development.
Enhanced catalytic hydrodechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol over Pd catalysts supported on nitrogen-doped graphene
Authors: Zhou Juan , Chen Quanyuan , Han Yuxiang , Zheng Shourong
Published: October 2015

Pd catalysts supported on graphene and N-doped graphene (GN-1, GN-2 and GN-3) with varied N-doping amounts were prepared, and liquid phase catalytic hydrodechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol was investigated over these catalysts.
Iron oxide/graphene composites as negative-electrode materials for lithium ion batteries – optimum particle size for stable performance
Authors: Sun Qian , Liu Xiang , Djurišić Aleksandra B. , Leung Tik Lun , Xie Maohai , Ng Alan M. C. , Li Hang Kong , Deng Zhaofeng , Shih Kaimin
Published: October 2015

We synthesized Fe2O3/graphene composites by a hydrothermal method.
Electrochemical buckling microfabrication
Authors: Zhang Jie , Dong Bo-Ya , Jia Jingchun , Han Lianhuan , Wang Fangfang , Liu Chuan , Tian Zhong-Qun , Tian Zhao-Wu , Wang Dongdong , Zhan Dongping
Published: October 2015

Isotropic wet chemical etching can be controlled with a spatial resolution at the nanometer scale, especially for the repetitive microfabrication of hierarchical 3D μ-nanostructures on the continuously curved surface of functional materials.
Magnesium-catalysed nitrile hydroboration
Authors: Weetman Catherine , Anker Mathew D. , Arrowsmith Merle , Hill Michael S. , Kociok-Köhn Gabriele , Liptrot David J. , Mahon Mary F.
Published: October 2015

A β-diketiminaton-butylmagnesium complex is presented as a selective precatalyst for the reductive hydroboration of organic nitriles with pinacolborane (HBpin).
Hollow and porous palladium nanocrystals: synthesis and electrocatalytic application
Authors: Fu Gengtao , Gong Mingxing , Tang Yawen , Xu Lin , Sun Dongmei , Lee Jong-Min
Published: October 2015

Porous Pd nanobowls are synthesizedviaa facile bubble soft-template method, showing the outstanding electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation reaction.
Glycosaminoglycan functionalization of mechanically and topologically defined collagen I matrices
Authors: Kalbitzer Liv , Franke Katja , Möller Stephanie , Schnabelrauch Matthias , Pompe Tilo
Published: October 2015

A sequential preparation approach provides the option to functionalize collagen I networks with glycosaminoglycans independently of network topology and mechanics.
Transport coefficients of helium-argon mixture based on ab initio potential
Authors: Sharipov Felix , Benites Victor J.
Published: October 2015

The viscosity, thermal conductivity, diffusion coefficient, and thermal diffusion factor of helium-argon mixtures are calculated for a wide range of temperature and for various mole fractions up to the 12th order of the Sonine polynomial expansion with an ab initio intermolecular potential. The calculated values for these transport coefficients are compared with other data available in the open literature. The comparison shows that the obtained transport coefficients of helium-argon mixture have the best accuracy for the moment.
Convergence of shock waves generated by underwater electrical explosion of cylindrical wire arrays between different boundary geometries
Authors: Yanuka D. , Kozlov M. , Zinowits H. E. , Krasik Ya. E.
Published: October 2015

The results of experiments and numerical simulations of a shock wave propagating between either conical or parabolic bounding walls are presented. The shock wave was generated by a microsecond timescale underwater electrical explosion of a cylindrical wire array supplied by a current pulse having an amplitude of ∼230 kA and a rise time of ∼1 μs. It is shown that with the same energy density deposition into the exploding wire array, the shock wave converges faster between parabolic walls, and as a result, the pressure in the vicinity of convergence is ∼2.3 times higher than in the case of conical walls. The results obtained are compared to those of earlier experiments [Antonov et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 124104 (2013)] with explosions of spherical wire arrays. It is shown that at a distance of ∼400 μm from the implosion origin the pressure obtained in the current experiments is higher than for the case of spherical wire arrays.
Defects in alpha and gamma crystalline nylon6: A computational study
Authors: Arabnejad Saeid , Manzhos Sergei
Published: October 2015

We present a comparative Density Functional Tight Binding study of structures, energetics, and vibrational properties of α and γ crystalline phases of nylon6 with different types of defects: single and double chain vacancies and interstitials. The defect formation energies are: for a single vacancy 0.66 and 0.64 kcal/mol per monomer, and for an interstitial strand 1.35 and 2.45 kcal/mol per monomer in the α and γ phases, respectively. The presence of defects does not materially influence the relative stability of the two phases, within the accuracy of the method. The inclusion of phononic contributions has a negligible effect. The calculations show that even if it were possible to synthesize the pure phases of nylon6, the defects will be easily induced at room temperature, because vacancy formation energies in both phases are of the order of kT at room temperature. The formation of interstitial defects, on the contrary, requires the energy equivalent to multiple kT values and is much less likely; it is also much less probable in the γ phase than in α. The vibration spectra do not show significant sensitivity to the presence of these defects.
Entire male pig production in Europe
Authors: Bee G. , Chevillon P. , Bonneau M.
Published: October 2015

In Europe the proportion of male pigs that are left ‘entire’ has been high for many years in the British Isles and Iberian Peninsula, and has recently increased in The Netherlands and to a lesser extent in Germany and France. Various European Union partners agreed in 2010 on a road map to abandon piglet castration by 1 January 2018. Despite significant commercial in-confidence research on instrumental methods for detecting boar-tainted carcasses at slaughter plants, nothing is currently being adopted at an industrial scale. A few abattoirs sort out the most heavily tainted carcasses, using human nose methods. However, there are major concerns with their accuracy, which is currently not documented in any publicly available technical report. The importance of androstenone and skatole for boar taint is still debated but a recent study (CAMPIG; G Backus, H Snoek, MA Oliver, M Font i Furnols, M Aluwé, F Tuyttens, M Bonneau, P Chevillon, MD Aaslyng, D Moerlein, L Meier-Dinkel, J Trautmann, J-E Haugen, unpubl. data) has established preliminary equations relating consumer dissatisfaction to androstenone and skatole levels. These equations still need further consolidation to integrate the impact of very high and very low androstenone levels on consumer acceptability. Reducing the incidence of boar taint at a production level and at the same time overcoming possible greater aggressive behaviour of entire male pigs are also critical for abandoning castration. Genetic selection is the most efficient way to reduce androstenone, but the selection of boar-taint-free genetic lines without any adverse consequence on the reproductive and growth performance will take time. Skatole levels can be efficiently reduced via feeding specific feedstuffs and good control of the animals’ environment. Provided that the incidence of boar taint can be reduced to an acceptable level and the residual tainted carcasses can be sorted out at a reasonable price by mutually recognised methods, the abandonment of castration will result in high benefits, up to one-billion euros for both the pork industry, via a drastic reduction of production costs, and society at large, through improved animal welfare and reduced impact on the environment.
Bonaventure and the Franciscan Tradition
Authors: Canty Aaron
Published: October 2015

This chapter considers the thirteenth-century Franciscan and theologian St Bonaventure. After outlining his life, the chapter explores Bonaventure’s theology through an exploration of his Breviloquium. Placing all in the context of Bonaventure’s Trinitarianism, the heart of the chapter explores Bonaventure’s conception of salvation history and the role of Christ at the centre of that history. A detailed account of Bonaventure’s account of the graceful and sacramental elevation of humanity follows. Particular attention is paid to the interrelated roles of Christ and the Spirit in this process. The final section of the chapter comments briefly on Bonaventure’s influence, referring especially to those figures who have found his work an important resource in the modern context.
Text Summarization
Authors: Hovy Eduard
Published: October 2015

Automated text summarization systems seek to provide the most important content contained in their (single or multiple document, and static or streaming over time) input. Extractive summarizers use various methods to assign an importance score to each fragment of the input and return the highest-scoring fragments, while abstractive summarizers attempt to compress and reformulate the extracted fragments and regenerate them in original and more elegant and coherent form. Numerous methods of scoring, combination, and compression have been developed. Evaluating the linguistic quality of a summary is much easier than evaluating the adequacy of its content. Various methods have been developed to compare system summary contents to the summaries of humans.
The Swiss Reformations
Authors: Head Randolph C.
Published: October 2015

This chapter analyzes Reformation events in the Swiss Confederation as local manifestations of pan-European movements of religious change. After setting the early emergence of strong evangelical and radical movements for reform in the political and cultural context of the Confederation—a distinctive polity within the Holy Roman Empire—the article traces a trajectory from early reform movements triggered by Ulrich Zwingli’s preaching through a period of political and social settlements from the 1530s to 1560s. The specific settlements reached in Switzerland, notably the Second Religious Peace of Kappel (1531) in turn required the region’s inhabitants to re-imagine their social, cultural and political lives for a world with multiple rival Christian confessions.
The Mazalim in Historiography
Authors: Tillier Mathieu
Published: October 2015

This article traces the origins of mazalim, a term that refers to a specific institution, also called wilayat al-mazalim or al-nazar fi al-mazalim, which was expected to adjudicate complaints regarding “injustices.” The mazalim are usually regarded as the expression of the sovereign’s direct justice in Medieval Islam. The concept of the mazalim institution does not fall into any modern legal category, and has no equivalent in Occidental languages. This article begins by discussing problems of terminology and definition associated with mazalim, with particular emphasis on whether it is a judicial court and the extent to which the mazalim, when regarded as a judicial institution, can be compared to an appellate court. It then examines mazalim in theory and practice, along with its nature according to modern classifications. Finally, it considers the symbolic and political uses of mazalim and how it is related to ordinary justice dispensed by the qadis.
Origins of and Influences on Islamic law
Authors: Jokisch Benjamin
Published: October 2015

This article examines the origins and evolution of Islamic law as well as its influences. In particular, it considers four major issues of Islamic law discussed by the shari‘a experts, namely: the general conception of Islamic law; the role of pre-Islamic tribal law; Islamic substantive law and the question of interaction with non-Islamic legal systems; and the early development of Islamic legal institutions such as judgeship, market inspection, law schools, and colleges. It also discusses the relationship between state and law and the factors that contributed to the institutionalization of the Islamic judiciary. Finally, it traces the origins and evolution of Islamic law according to the approaches of the traditionalists and skeptics, along with the most important objections to each approach.
Anthropology and Islamic Law
Authors: Bowen John R.
Published: October 2015

The anthropology of Islamic law is concerned centrally with observing and analyzing practices governed by explicit norms that are given Islamic justification, from commercial transactions to marriage and divorce to rituals of worship. This article traces the work of anthropologists in courtrooms and in informal social settings, and the process of developing collaborative relationships with text-based scholars. It highlights two recurrent tensions: one between “law” and the Islamic categories of shari‘a/fiqh/hukm, the other between emphasizing cultural distinctiveness and emphasizing cross-societal processes of interpreting and applying Islamic texts and tradition. Included in the treatment are shari‘a councils, fatwa bodies, mahr and marriage contracts, medical ethics, and realms of ‘ibadat.