bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of the probiotic strainBifidobacterium animalissubsp.lactis, BB-12®, on defecation frequency in healthy subjects with low defecation frequency and abdominal discomfort: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial
Authors: Eskesen Dorte , Jespersen Lillian , Michelsen Birgit , Whorwell Peter J. , Müller-Lissner Stefan , Morberg Cathrine M.
Published: September 2015

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect ofBifidobacterium animalissubsp.lactis, BB-12®, on two primary end points – defecation frequency and gastrointestinal (GI) well-being – in healthy adults with low defecation frequency and abdominal discomfort. A total of 1248 subjects were included in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. After a 2-week run-in period, subjects were randomised to 1 or 10 billion colony-forming units/d of the probiotic strain BB-12®or a matching placebo capsule once daily for 4 weeks. Subjects completed a diary on bowel habits, relief of abdominal discomfort and symptoms. GI well-being, defined as global relief of abdominal discomfort, did not show significant differences. The OR for having a defecation frequency above baseline for ≥50 % of the time was 1·31 (95 % CI 0·98, 1·75),P=0·071, for probiotic treatment overall. Tightening the criteria for being a responder to an increase of ≥1 d/week for ≥50 % of the time resulted in an OR of 1·55 (95 % CI 1·22, 1·96),P=0·0003, for treatment overall. A treatment effect on average defecation frequency was found (P=0·0065), with the frequency being significantly higher compared with placebo at all weeks for probiotic treatment overall (allP<0·05). Effects on defecation frequency were similar for the two doses tested, suggesting that a ceiling effect was reached with the one billion dose. Overall, 4 weeks’ supplementation with the probiotic strain BB-12®resulted in a clinically relevant benefit on defecation frequency. The results suggest that consumption of BB-12®improves the GI health of individuals whose symptoms are not sufficiently severe to consult a doctor (ISRCTN18128385).
Modulation of the regression of atherosclerosis in the hamster by dietary lipids: comparison of coconut oil and olive oil
Authors: Mangiapane E. Heather , McAteer Martina A. , Benson G. Martin , White David A. , Salter Andrew M.
Published: September 2015

The Golden Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) has been shown to be a useful model of both human lipoprotein metabolism and the development of atherosclerosis. We report the effects of dietary lipids on the progression and regression of atherosclerosis in this model. In the first study, hamsters fed on coconut oil (150 g/kg diet) and cholesterol (30 g/kg diet) developed lipid-rich lesions in the ascending aorta (0·28 (sd 0·14) mm2) and aortic arch (0·01 (sd 0·01) mm2) after 4 weeks that continued to progress over the next 8 weeks (0·75 (sd 0·41) mm2 and 0·12 (sd 0·11) mm2 for the ascending aorta and aortic arch respectively). Removal of cholesterol from the diet halted this progression. Furthermore, in animals fed on olive oil in the absence of added cholesterol, plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations were lower (P < 0·05) and the extent of atherosclerotic lesions was reduced (P < 0·001 for both regions of the aorta) compared with animals fed on coconut oil (with no added cholesterol). In a second study, animals were fed on the atherogenic diet for 10 weeks, transferred to diets containing either coconut oil (150 g/kg diet) or olive oil (150 g/kg diet) without added cholesterol and monitored for up to 16 weeks. In the ascending aorta, lesion size doubled in animals fed on coconut oil but stabilized in those fed on olive oil. In the aortic arch, lesion size decreased linearly (P < 0·05, P < 0·001 for coconut oil and olive oil respectively) with the greatest reduction being seen in the olive-oil-fed animals (P < 0·05). Again, progression and regression of atherosclerosis appeared to reflect the relative concentrations of LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in the plasma. We conclude that the male Golden Syrian hamster represents a useful model of dietary induced regression as well as progression of atherosclerosis.
‘A new species of mony’: British Exchequer bills, 1701-1711
Authors: Kleer Richard A.
Published: September 2015

This article studies the relationship between Bank and Treasury during the War of the Spanish Succession. It examines two new series of Exchequer bills implemented in 1707 and 1709. Far from being loans-for-rents contracts, the principal aim was to accommodate war-related pressures on the nation's monetary system by manufacturing a substitute for scarce specie. The article also shows there was a covert struggle within the financial community for access to the specie flows associated with the nation's system of public finance.
Effect of Focused Ion Beam Imaging on the Crystallinity of InAs
Authors: Chen Wei-Chieh , Huang Tien-Hao , Chen Kuan-Chao , Lin Hao-Hsiung
Published: September 2015

We investigated the effect of focused ion beam (FIB) imaging on the crystallinity of InAs using Raman scattering. A spatial correlation model was used to fit the broad band induced by FIB imaging. The fitting gives a correlation length of ~42 Å for the noisiest image condition (with an ion fluence of 7.4×1010 cm−2), implying severe damage in the surface layer of InAs. However, further increasing the fluence by several orders of magnitude only decreases the correlation length from 42 to 35 Å. We attribute the severe damage to the high beam current density and the low scanning speed of the FIB imaging process. These process conditions, along with low InAs thermal conductivity, also leads to a high local temperature in the exposed region that largely annihilated the defects and resulted in the nearly fluence-independent behavior.
A new model of clientelism: political parties, public resources, and private contributors
Authors: Gherghina Sergiu , Volintiru Clara
Published: September 2015

The study of clientelism has pointed in the direction of a pyramid structure in which selective benefits are distributed with the help of brokers to individuals or groups in exchange for political support. This approach treats the resources aimed to enhance electoral mobilization as endogenous and fails to explain what happens when brokers have very low capacity. To address these problems this article proposes a bi-dimensional model of clientelism that emphasizes the role of exogenous resources. Accordingly, the vertical linkage between political parties and the electorate is complemented by a horizontal nexus between parties and private contributors. In an environment characterized by low internal resources, parties involve external actors to get the necessary money. To illustrate how this mechanism works we focus on Romania between 2008 and 2012, a crucial case for the study of clientelism.
Current situation and diversity of indigenous cattle breeds of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Atiyat R.M. , Aljumaah R.S. , Abudabos A.M. , Alghamdi A.A. , Alharthi A.S. , AlJooan H.S. , Alotybi M.N.
Published: September 2015

This study aims to evaluate the current situation and diversity of indigenous cattle breeds in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A survey was executed in five regions of the KSA. We recorded population sizes, phenotypes and rearing conditions. TaurineBos taurusand zebuBos indicuspopulations were found. The zebu cattle include two breeds; the Hassawi and the Janobi. The Hassawi breed was found in the eastern region and it is in decreasing number. It may become extinct soon in the absence of conservation plan. Janobi remains common with thousand animals in the south-western part of the country. Only one indigenous taurine cow, showing no phenotypic evidence of zebu introgression, was found in the Central region of KSA (Najd Plateau). This cow might be the last pure indigenous Saudi Arabia taurine animal and therefore, the breed is now close to extinction. We advocate the urgency to design conservation plan for the indigenous livestock of the KSA and to complement these with phenotypic as well as genotypic information.
eIF6 coordinates insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism by coupling translation to transcription
Authors: Brina Daniela , Miluzio Annarita , Ricciardi Sara , Clarke Kim , Davidsen Peter K. , Viero Gabriella , Tebaldi Toma , Offenhäuser Nina , Rozman Jan , Rathkolb Birgit , Neschen Susanne , Klingenspor Martin , Wolf Eckhard , Gailus-Durner Valerie , Fuchs Helmut , Hrabe de Angelis Martin , Quattrone Alessandro , Falciani Francesco , Biffo Stefano
Published: September 2015

Insulin regulates glycaemia, lipogenesis and increases mRNA translation. Cells with reduced eukaryotic initiation factor 6 (eIF6) do not increase translation in response to insulin. The role of insulin-regulated translation is unknown. Here we show that reduction of insulin-regulated translation in mice heterozygous for eIF6 results in normal glycaemia, but less blood cholesterol and triglycerides. eIF6 controls fatty acid synthesis and glycolysis in a cell autonomous fashion. eIF6 acts by exerting translational control of adipogenic transcription factors like C/EBPβ, C/EBPδ and ATF4 that have G/C rich or uORF sequences in their 5′ UTR. The outcome of the translational activation by eIF6 is a reshaping of gene expression with increased levels of lipogenic and glycolytic enzymes. Finally, eIF6 levels modulate histone acetylation and amounts of rate-limiting fatty acid synthase (Fasn) mRNA. Since obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer require a Fasn-driven lipogenic state, we propose that eIF6 could be a therapeutic target for these diseases.
Intrinsic homogeneous linewidth and broadening mechanisms of excitons in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Moody Galan , Kavir Dass Chandriker , Hao Kai , Chen Chang-Hsiao , Li Lain-Jong , Singh Akshay , Tran Kha , Clark Genevieve , Xu Xiaodong , Berghäuser Gunnar , Malic Ermin , Knorr Andreas , Li Xiaoqin
Published: September 2015

The band-edge optical response of transition metal dichalcogenides, an emerging class of atomically thin semiconductors, is dominated by tightly bound excitons localized at the corners of the Brillouin zone (valley excitons). A fundamental yet unknown property of valley excitons in these materials is the intrinsic homogeneous linewidth, which reflects irreversible quantum dissipation arising from system (exciton) and bath (vacuum and other quasiparticles) interactions and determines the timescale during which excitons can be coherently manipulated. Here we use optical two-dimensional Fourier transform spectroscopy to measure the exciton homogeneous linewidth in monolayer tungsten diselenide (WSe2). The homogeneous linewidth is found to be nearly two orders of magnitude narrower than the inhomogeneous width at low temperatures. We evaluate quantitatively the role of exciton–exciton and exciton–phonon interactions and population relaxation as linewidth broadening mechanisms. The key insights reported here—strong many-body effects and intrinsically rapid radiative recombination—are expected to be ubiquitous in atomically thin semiconductors.
Correction: Corrigendum: Ionic liquid flow along the carbon nanotube with DC electric field
Authors: Hwal Shin Jung , Hwee Kim Geon , Kim Intae , Jeon Hyungkook , An Taechang , Lim Geunbae
Published: September 2015

Liquid pumping can occur along the outer surface of an electrode under a DC electric field. For biological applications, a better understanding of the ionic solution pumping mechanism is required. Here, we fabricated CNT wire electrodes (CWEs) and tungsten wire electrodes (TWEs) of various diameters to assess an ionic solution pumping. A DC electric field created by a bias of several volts pumped the ionic solution in the direction of the negatively biased electrode. The resulting electro-osmotic flow was attributed to the movement of an electric double layer near the electrode, and the flow rates along the CWEs were on the order of picoliters per minute. According to electric field analysis, the z-directional electric field around the meniscus of the small electrode was more concentrated than that of the larger electrode. Thus, the pumping effect increased as the electrode diameter decreased. Interestingly in CWEs, the initiating voltage for liquid pumping did not change with increasing diameter, up to 20 μm. We classified into three pumping zones, according to the initiating voltage and faradaic reaction. Liquid pumping using the CWEs could provide a new method for biological studies with adoptable flow rates and a larger ‘Recommended pumping zone’.
In vivo Monitoring of Transcriptional Dynamics After Lower-Limb Muscle Injury Enables Quantitative Classification of Healing
Authors: Aguilar Carlos A. , Shcherbina Anna , Ricke Darrell O. , Pop Ramona , Carrigan Christopher T. , Gifford Casey A. , Urso Maria L. , Kottke Melissa A. , Meissner Alexander
Published: September 2015

Traumatic lower-limb musculoskeletal injuries are pervasive amongst athletes and the military and typically an individual returns to activity prior to fully healing, increasing a predisposition for additional injuries and chronic pain. Monitoring healing progression after a musculoskeletal injury typically involves different types of imaging but these approaches suffer from several disadvantages. Isolating and profiling transcripts from the injured site would abrogate these shortcomings and provide enumerative insights into the regenerative potential of an individual’s muscle after injury. In this study, a traumatic injury was administered to a mouse model and healing progression was examined from 3 hours to 1 month using high-throughput RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq). Comprehensive dissection of the genome-wide datasets revealed the injured site to be a dynamic, heterogeneous environment composed of multiple cell types and thousands of genes undergoing significant expression changes in highly regulated networks. Four independent approaches were used to determine the set of genes, isoforms and genetic pathways most characteristic of different time points post-injury and two novel approaches were developed to classify injured tissues at different time points. These results highlight the possibility to quantitatively track healing progression in situ via transcript profiling using high- throughput sequencing.
Correction: Corrigendum: Toll-like receptor-2 deficiency induces schizophrenia-like behaviors in mice
Authors: Jin Park Se , Youn Lee Jee , Jeong Kim Sang , Choi Se-Young , Young Yune Tae , Hoon Ryu Jong
Published: September 2015

Dysregulation of the immune system contributes to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. Here, we demonstrated that toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, a family of pattern-recognition receptors, is involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia-like symptoms. Psychotic symptoms such as hyperlocomotion, anxiolytic-like behaviors, prepulse inhibition deficits, social withdrawal, and cognitive impairments were observed in TLR-2 knock-out (KO) mice. Ventricle enlargement, a hallmark of schizophrenia, was also observed in TLR-2 KO mouse brains. Levels of p-Akt and p-GSK-3α/β were markedly higher in the brain of TLR-2 KO than wild-type (WT) mice. Antipsychotic drugs such as haloperidol or clozapine reversed behavioral and biochemical alterations in TLR-2 KO mice. Furthermore, p-Akt and p-GSK-3α/β were decreased by treatment with a TLR-2 ligand, lipoteichoic acid, in WT mice. Thus, our data suggest that the dysregulation of the innate immune system by a TLR-2 deficiency may contribute to the development and/or pathophysiology of schizophrenia-like behaviors via Akt-GSK-3α/β signaling.
Vacancy and Doping States in Monolayer and bulk Black Phosphorus
Authors: Guo Yuzheng , Robertson John
Published: September 2015

The atomic geometries and transition levels of point defects and substitutional dopants in few-layer and bulk black phosphorus are calculated. The vacancy is found to reconstruct in monolayer P to leave a single dangling bond, giving a negative U defect with a +/− transition level at 0.24 eV above the valence band edge. The V−state forms an unusual 4-fold coordinated site. In few-layer and bulk black P, the defect becomes a positive U site. The divacancy is much more stable than the monovacancy and it reconstructs to give no deep gap states. Substitutional dopants such as C, Si, O or S do not give rise to shallow donor or acceptor states but instead reconstruct to form non-doping sites analogous to DX or AX centers in GaAs. Impurities on black P adopt the 8-N rule of bonding, as in amorphous semiconductors, rather than simple substitutional geometries seen in tetrahedral semiconductors.
Dynamic and social behaviors of human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Phadnis Smruti M. , Loewke Nathan O. , Dimov Ivan K. , Pai Sunil , Amwake Christine E. , Solgaard Olav , Baer Thomas M. , Chen Bertha , Pera Renee A. Reijo
Published: September 2015

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can self-renew or differentiate to diverse cell types, thus providing a platform for basic and clinical applications. However, pluripotent stem cell populations are heterogeneous and functional properties at the single cell level are poorly documented leading to inefficiencies in differentiation and concerns regarding reproducibility and safety. Here, we use non-invasive time-lapse imaging to continuously examine hPSC maintenance and differentiation and to predict cell viability and fate. We document dynamic behaviors and social interactions that prospectively distinguish hPSC survival, self-renewal and differentiation. Results highlight the molecular role of E-cadherin not only for cell-cell contact but also for clonal propagation of hPSCs. Results indicate that use of continuous time-lapse imaging can distinguish cellular heterogeneity with respect to pluripotency as well as a subset of karyotypic abnormalities whose dynamic properties were monitored.
Sensitive western blotting for detection of endogenous Ser129-phosphorylated α-synuclein in intracellular and extracellular spaces
Authors: Sasaki Asuka , Arawaka Shigeki , Sato Hiroyasu , Kato Takeo
Published: September 2015

α-Synuclein deposited in Lewy bodies, a pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD), is highly phosphorylated at serine 129 (Ser129). In contrast, there is very little Ser129-phosphorylated α-synuclein in the normal brains. This difference suggests that Ser129-phosphorylation is involved in neurodegenerative processes of PD. However, the role of this modification remains unclear. One limiting factor for relevant biochemical analyses is that it is difficult to detect endogenous Ser129-phosphoryated α-synuclein by western blotting, because α-synuclein monomers detached from the transferred membrane during incubation. Here, we reported that combination fixation of the transferred membrane with 4% paraformaldehyde and 0.01 ~ 0.1% glutaraldehyde produced an approximately 10-fold increase in the sensitivity for Ser129-phosphorylated α-synuclein monomers, allowing detection of endogenous proteins even in conditioned medium, human cerebrospinal fluid and extracts from cell lines and human brain. This method may enable more detailed biochemical analyses for α-synuclein transmission between intra and extracellular spaces under physiological and pathological conditions.
Circulating cell death biomarker: good candidates of prognostic indicator for patients with hepatitis B virus related acute-on-chronic liver failure
Authors: Cao Zhujun , Li Fengdi , Xiang Xiaogang , Liu Kehui , Liu Yuhan , Tang Weiliang , Lin Lanyi , Guo Qing , Bao Shisan , Xie Qing , Wang Hui
Published: September 2015

Investigations on survival of patients with hepatitis B virus related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) are sparse and urgently needed. The current study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of circulating cell death biomarkers (M30-anigen, M65-antigen and HMGB1) for HBV ACLF. In this prospective study (2/2013–8/2014), 94 patients including 54 HBV-ACLF and 40 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients were recruited. 40 healthy controls (HC) were also recruited. HBV-ACLF were followed up for 3 months for short-term mortality. All three biomarkers were significantly elevated in HBV-ACLF compared with CHB or HC. M30- and M65-antigens could significantly discriminate between non-survivors and survivors in HBV-ACLF. However, HMGB1 showed no prognostic value. By Cox regression analysis, M30- and M65-antigens and MELD were identified as independent predictors for short-term mortality. A novel prognostic model, MELD-CD (MELD-cell death) was established based on the multivariate results. The adjusted Harrell’s C-index of MELD-CD was 0.86 (P < 0.001) and was significantly higher (P < 0.001 for all) than the currently used models, MELD (C-index, 0.71, P < 0.001), MELD-NA (0.67, P < 0.001), CTPs (0.61, P < 0.05). Dynamic analyses further confirmed the prognostic utility of M30- and M65-antigen. Future studies are warranted to validate the results.
Green synthesis of carbon-supported nanoparticle catalysts by physical vapor deposition on soluble powder substrates
Authors: Park Hee-Young , Jang Injoon , Jung Namgee , Chung Young-Hoon , Ryu Jaeyune , Cha In Young , Kim Hyoung-Juhn , Jang Jong Hyun , Yoo Sung Jong
Published: September 2015

Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) supported on high surface area carbon (NP/Cs) were prepared by the physical vapor deposition of bulk materials on an α-D-glucose (Glu) substrate, followed by the deposition of the NPs on carbon supports. Using Glu as a carrier for the transport of NPs from the bulk materials to the carbon support surfaces, ultrafine NPs were obtained, exhibiting a stabilizing effect through OH moieties on the Glu surfaces. This stabilizing effect was strong enough to stabilize the NPs, but weak enough to not significantly block the metal surfaces. As only the target materials and Glu are required in our procedure, it can be considered environmentally friendly, with the NPs being devoid of hazardous chemicals. Furthermore, the resulting NP/Cs exhibited an improvement in activity for various electrochemical reactions, mainly attributed to their high surface area.
Discovery of small molecule inhibitors of MyD88-dependent signaling pathways using a computational screen
Authors: Olson Mark A. , Lee Michael S. , Kissner Teri L. , Alam Shahabuddin , Waugh David S. , Saikh Kamal U.
Published: September 2015

In this study, we used high-throughput computational screening to discover drug-like inhibitors of the host MyD88 protein-protein signaling interaction implicated in the potentially lethal immune response associated with Staphylococcal enterotoxins. We built a protein-protein dimeric docking model of the Toll-interleukin receptor (TIR)-domain of MyD88 and identified a binding site for docking small molecules. Computational screening of 5 million drug-like compounds led to testing of 30 small molecules; one of these molecules inhibits the TIR-TIR domain interaction and attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokine production in human primary cell cultures. Compounds chemically similar to this hit from the PubChem database were observed to be more potent with improved drug-like properties. Most of these 2nd generation compounds inhibit Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB)-induced TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-1β production at 2–10 μM in human primary cells. Biochemical analysis and a cell-based reporter assay revealed that the most promising compound, T6167923, disrupts MyD88 homodimeric formation, which is critical for its signaling function. Furthermore, we observed that administration of a single dose of T6167923 completely protects mice from lethal SEB-induced toxic shock. In summary, our in silico approach has identified anti-inflammatory inhibitors against in vitro and in vivo toxin exposure with promise to treat other MyD88-related pro-inflammatory diseases.
Au nanoflower–Ag nanoparticle assembled SERS-active substrates for sensitive MC-LR detection
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Yang Xuan , Li Hao , Luo Yaodong , Yu Ruipeng , Zhang Lingling , Yang Yaxin , Song Qijun
Published: September 2015

Au nanoflower–Ag nanoparticle core–satellite assembly engineered Raman aptasensors achieved the sensitive detection of microcystin-LR in Tai lake water.
Investigation on YF3:Eu3+ architectures and their luminescence properties
Authors: Yan Longxiang , Gao Wei , Han Qinyan , Li Xiaoyi , Wang Ruibo , Zhang Chengyun , Zhang Mingdi , Wang Linxiao , Zheng Hairong
Published: September 2015

The changeable matrix under different calcination temperatures leads to tunable luminescence properties.
Selective CO production by Au coupled ZnTe/ZnO in the photoelectrochemical CO2reduction system
Authors: Jang Youn Jeong , Jang Ji-Wook , Lee Jaehyuk , Kim Ju Hun , Kumagai Hiromu , Lee Jinwoo , Minegishi Tsutomu , Kubota Jun , Domen Kazunari , Lee Jae Sung
Published: September 2015

Au coupled ZnTe/ZnO-NW array is a new photocathode for selective CO production from CO2. The remarkable effects of an Au are to form of a Schottky junction with ZnTe to improve band bending and provide the reaction center for CO2reduction suppressing water reduction.
Nitrogen-doped graphene network supported copper nanoparticles encapsulated with graphene shells for surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Shi Chunsheng , Liu Enzuo , Li Jiajun , Zhao Naiqin , He Chunnian
Published: September 2015

Nitrogen-doped graphene network supported graphene shell encapsulated Cu nanoparticles for surface-enhanced Raman scattering were constructed by in situ chemical vapor deposition.
A CsxWO3/ZnO nanocomposite as a smart coating for photocatalytic environmental cleanup and heat insulation
Authors: Wu Xiaoyong , Yin Shu , Xue Dongfeng , Komarneni Sridhar , Sato Tsugio
Published: September 2015

Novel CsxWO3/ZnO nanocomposites were developed to achieve the multifunction of heat insulation, toxic gas photodecomposition and harmful UV light blocking.
Structure and energetics of graphene oxide isomers: ab initio thermodynamic analysis
Authors: Chaban Vitaly V. , Prezhdo Oleg V.
Published: September 2015

Graphene oxide (GO) holds significant promise for electronic devices and nanocomposite materials.
Towards defect-free 1-D GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures based on GaAs nanomembranes
Authors: Tutuncuoglu G. , de la Mata M. , Deiana D. , Potts H. , Matteini F. , Arbiol J. , Fontcuberta i Morral A.
Published: September 2015

HAADF-STEM view of the GaAs membrane with a quantum well, along with a false color zoom.
Interfacial rheology and aggregation behaviour of amphiphilic CBABC-type pentablock copolymers at the air–water interface: effects of block ratio and chain length
Authors: Li Zhiguang , Ma Xiaoyan , Zang Duyang , Guan Xinghua , Zhu Lin , Liu Jinshu , Chen Fang
Published: September 2015

The interfacial rheology, aggregation behaviour and packing model of the structure evolution of three amphiphilic CBABC-type pentablock copolymers were investigated at the air–water interface.
A molecular dynamics study on thermal and mechanical properties of graphene–paraffin nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Yu , Yang Chunhui , Cheng Yuan , Zhang Yingyan
Published: September 2015

Hydrogenation enhances thermal transport across graphene–paraffin interfaces, but it deteriorates the Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the composites.
Construction of CuInS2/Ag sensitized ZnO nanowire arrays for efficient hydrogen generation
Authors: Cheng Zhongzhou , Zhan Xueying , Wang Fengmei , Wang Qisheng , Xu Kai , Liu Quanlin , Jiang Chao , Wang Zhenxing , He Jun
Published: September 2015

Due to its smaller and tunable band gap, CuInS2 has attracted much attention for clean energy applications. With the synergistic effect of Ag and CuInS2 NPs, the PEC performance and hydrogen evolution rate of ZnO NWs are significantly enhanced.
Fabrication of monodispersed hollow flower-like porous In2O3nanostructures and their application as gas sensors
Authors: Xu Wei , Li Jinwei , Sun Jianbo
Published: September 2015

The solvothermal method usingl-lysine as a surfactant and ethylene glycol as an efficient auxiliary was used to prepare mono-dispersed, hollow, flower-like porous (HFP) In2O3.
Structure-activity investigations on amphiphilic cationic copolymers of vinyl N,N-dimethylethylglycinate with vinyl alkanoate esters as highly effective antibacterial agents
Authors: Punia Ashish , Yang Nan-Loh
Published: September 2015

Amphiphilic poly(vinyl esters) with structural control function as antibacterial agents.
Direct hydrothermal reduction of graphene oxide based papers obtained from tape casting for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Jia Zheng , Li Chengyuan , Liu Daoqing , Jiang Lixiang
Published: September 2015

Flexible graphene based papers with excellent supercapacitive performances were produced through direct hydrothermal reduction of GO based papers.
Monitoring the stability of organometallic perovskite thin films
Authors: Ndione P. F. , Yin W.-J. , Zhu K. , Wei S.-H. , Berry J. J.
Published: September 2015

Monitoring the stability of organometallic perovskite thin films.
Sustained small molecule delivery from injectable hyaluronic acid hydrogels through host–guest mediated retention
Authors: Mealy Joshua E. , Rodell Christopher B. , Burdick Jason A.
Published: September 2015

Shear-thinning hyaluronic acid hydrogels based on modifications of β-cyclodextrin and adamantane were developed for the tunable, sustained release of small molecules, through regulation of cyclodextrin content and affinity for cyclodextrin.
Correction: Flexible BaTiO3/PVDF gradated multilayer nanocomposite film with enhanced dielectric strength and high energy density
Authors: Hao Y. N. , Wang X. H. , O'Brien S. , Lombardi J. , Li L. T.
Published: September 2015

Correction for ‘Flexible BaTiO3/PVDF gradated multilayer nanocomposite film with enhanced dielectric strength and high energy density’ by Y. N. Hao et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2015, 3, 9740–9747.
The Relationship Between Hearing Aid Self-Efficacy and Hearing Aid Satisfaction
Authors: Kelly-Campbell Rebecca J. , McMillan Anna
Published: September 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy for hearing aids (HAs) and satisfaction with HAs in a group of adult HA owners.

Method

Forty-seven adults acquiring HAs (new and experienced owners) completed a demographic questionnaire, the Hearing Handicap Questionnaire (Gatehouse & Noble, 2004), and received an audiometric evaluation prior to HA fitting. Twelve weeks following the completion of the HA fitting, they completed the Measure of Audiologic Rehabilitation Self-Efficacy for Hearing Aids (Smith & West, 2006) and the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (Cox & Alexander, 1999) questionnaires.

Results

There were no significant differences between experienced and new HA owners in terms of self-efficacy or HA satisfaction. The majority of participants had adequate self-efficacy for basic HA handling and adjustment to HAs. Fewer participants had adequate self-efficacy for aided listening and advanced handling of HAs. HA self-efficacy was related to HA satisfaction in three domains: positive effect and negative features of HAs and service and cost.

Conclusion

Many HA owners do not have adequate self-efficacy in important HA-related domains. Clinical intervention to improve self-efficacy for HAs may help improve HA satisfaction.
A free boundary problem for the Stokes
equations
Authors: Bouchon François , Peichl Gunther H. , Sayeh Mohamed , Touzani Rachid
Published: September 2015

A free boundary problem for the Stokes equations governing a viscous flow with
over-determined condition on the free boundary is investigated. This free boundary problem
is transformed into a shape optimization one which consists in minimizing a Kohn–Vogelius
energy cost functional. Existence of the material derivatives of the states is proven and
the corresponding variational problems are derived. Existence of the shape derivative of
the cost functional is also proven and the analytic expression of the shape derivative is
given in the Hadamard structure form.
New Products
Authors: Mandelis Andreas
Published: September 2015

In order to supplement manufacturers’ information, this Department will welcome the submission by our readers of brief communications reporting measurements on the physical properties of materials which supersede earlier data or suggest new research applications.
Solvent Effect on the Photoinduced Electron Transfer Reaction Between Thioxanthen-9-one and Diphenylamine
Authors: Chen Lin , Zhou Qiao-hui , Liu Xiang , Zhou Xiao-guo , Liu Shi-lin
Published: September 2015

Photoinduced chemical reaction between thioxanthen-9-one (TX) and diphenylamine (DPA) were investigated by the nanosecond laser flash photolysis. With photolysis at 355 nm, the triplet TX (3TX*) is produced via a Franck-Condon excitation and intersystem crossing. In the transient absorption spectra of the reduction of 3TX* by DPA in pure and aqueous CH3CN, four bands are clearly observed and assigned to absorption of 3TX*, TXH·, TX·− and DPA·+, respectively. With the increase of solvent polarity, the blue-shift was observed for all absorption bands of the intermediates. With the aid of dynamic decay curves, an electron transfer followed by a protonation process is confirmed for the reduction of 3TX* by DPA. The quenching rate constants of 3TX* by DPA very slightly decrease from 9.7×109 L/(mol·s) in pure CH3CN, to 8.7×109 L/(mol·s) in CH3CN:H2O (9:1), 8.0×109 L/(mol·s) in CH3CN:H2O (4:1) and 7.5×109 L/(mol·s) in CH3CN:H2O (1:1). Therefore water plays a minor role in the title reaction, and moreover no obvious medium effect of solvent polarity is observed for the electron transfer between 3TX* and DPA, indicating that the 3nπ* and 3ππ* states of TX have the approximate ability to attract an electron from DPA.
Converting Molecular Vibration to Mechanical Wave for Bond-Selective Imaging of Deep Tissue
Authors: Hui Jie , Cheng Ji-xin
Published: September 2015

As an emerging label-free imaging modality with chemical selectivity and millimeter-depth resolvability, vibrational photoacoustic imaging provides a new avenue to map chemical content in biological tissue. It heralds the potential for detection of white matter loss and regeneration, assessment of breast tumor margin, and clinical diagnosis of vulnerable plaques in atherosclerosis. In this work, we provide an overview of the development of bond-selective photoacoustic imaging and various biomedical applications enabled by this new technology.
Active Sites for Adsorption and Reaction of Molecules on Rutile TiO2(110) and Anatase TiO2(001) Surfaces
Authors: Tan Shi-jing , Wang Bing
Published: September 2015

The reactivity of specific sites on rutile TiO2(110)−(1×1) surface and anatase TiO2(001)−(1×4) surface has been comparably studied by means of high resolution scanning tunneling microscopy. At the rutile TiO2(110)−(1×1) surface, we find the defects of oxygen vacancy provide distinct reactivity for O2 and CO2 adsorption, while the terminal fivefold-coordinated Ti sites dominate the photocatalytic reactivity for H2O and CH3OH dissociation. At the anatase TiO2(001)−(1×4) surface, the sixfold-coordinated terminal Ti sites at the oxidized surface seem to be inert in both O2 and H2O reactions, but the Ti-rich defects which introduce the Ti3+ state into the reduced surface are found to provide high reactivity for the reactions of O2 and H2O. By comparing the reactions on both rutile and anatase surfaces under similar experimental conditions, we find the reactivity of anatase TiO2(001) is actually lower than rutile TiO2(110), which challenges the conventional knowledge that the anatase (001) is the most reactive TiO2 surface. Our findings could provide atomic level insights into the mechanisms of TiO2 based catalytic and photocatalytic chemical reactions.
Executive control in spoken noun-phrase production: Contributions of updating, inhibiting, and shifting
Authors: Sikora Katarzyna , Roelofs Ardi , Hermans Daan , Knoors Harry
Published: September 2015

The present study examined how the updating, inhibiting, and shifting abilities underlying executive control influence spoken noun-phrase production. Previous studies provided evidence that updating and inhibiting, but not shifting, influence picture-naming response time (RT). However, little is known about the role of executive control in more complex forms of language production like generating phrases. We assessed noun-phrase production using picture description and a picture–word interference procedure. We measured picture description RT to assess length, distractor, and switch effects, which were assumed to reflect, respectively, the updating, inhibiting, and shifting abilities of adult participants. Moreover, for each participant we obtained scores on executive control tasks that measured verbal and nonverbal updating, nonverbal inhibiting, and nonverbal shifting. We found that both verbal and nonverbal updating scores correlated with the overall mean picture description RTs. Furthermore, the length effect in the RTs correlated with verbal but not nonverbal updating scores, while the distractor effect correlated with inhibiting scores. We did not find a correlation between the switch effect in the mean RTs and the shifting scores. However, the shifting scores correlated with the switch effect in the normal part of the underlying RT distribution. These results suggest that updating, inhibiting, and shifting each influence the speed of phrase production, thereby demonstrating a contribution of all three executive control abilities to language production.
Mandeville and France: The Reception of
The Fable of the Bees
in France and its Influence on the French Enlightenment
Authors: Muceni Elena
Published: September 2015

This article explores how
The Fable of the Bees
was received in France, and provides a broad outline of its influence on the philosophers of the French Enlightenment. Reference to Bernard Mandeville's work in French periodicals (between 1720 and 1750), together with a series of disapproving critiques that appeared after the French translation of the
Fable
, indicate keen interest in this author on the part of French intellectuals. Mandeville's reputation both on the Continent and in England as an immoral philosopher and champion of paradoxical theses, had earned him a degree of fame in France even before the publication of the French translation of the
Fable
in 1740. Even if considerably closer to the original than the unpublished translation by Émilie Du Châtelet, this translation reveals a number of discrepancies with respect to Mandeville's text, which — along with the accompanying Introduction — suggest an attempt by the editors to adjust the philosophy and to tone down the shocking ramifications of some of the author's theses. Despite the numerous adverse critiques prompted by the book, the
Fable
had a strong influence on several French authors, such as Voltaire and Jean-François Melon. In particular, Mandeville's reflections on luxury and economics had a major impact on French philosophers, fuelling a heated dispute over luxury, and pointing to the centrality of economic analysis in the study of human society.
Biocompatibility, degradability, bioactivity and osteogenesis of mesoporous/macroporous scaffolds of mesoporous diopside/poly(
l
-lactide) composite
Authors: Liu Zhulin , Ji Jiajin , Tang Songchao , Qian Jun , Yan Yonggang , Yu Baoqing , Su Jiacan , Wei Jie
Published: September 2015

Bioactive mesoporous diopside (m-DP) and poly(
l
-lactide) (PLLA) composite scaffolds with mesoporous/macroporous structure were prepared by the solution-casting and particulate-leaching method. The results demonstrated that the degradability and bioactivity of the mesoporous/macroporous scaffolds were significantly improved by incorporating m-DP into PLLA, and that the improvement was m-DP content-dependent. In addition, the scaffolds containing m-DP showed the ability to neutralize acidic degradation products and prevent the pH from dropping in the solution during the soaking period. Moreover, the scaffolds containing m-DP enhanced attachment, proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity of MC3T3-E1 cells, which were also m-DP content-dependent. Furthermore, the histological and immunohistochemical analysis results showed that the scaffolds with m-DP significantly promoted new bone formation and improved the materials degraded
in vivo
, indicating good biocompatibility. The results suggested that the mesoporous/macroporous scaffolds of the m-DP/PLLA composite with osteogenesis had a potential for bone regeneration.
DNA-hydrolysing activity of IgG antibodies from the sera of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Ermakov Evgeny A. , Smirnova Ludmila P. , Parkhomenko Taisiya A. , Dmitrenok Pavel S. , Krotenko Nina M. , Fattakhov Nikolai S. , Bokhan Nikolay A. , Semke Arkadiy V. , Ivanova Svetlana A. , Buneva Valentina N. , Nevinsky Georgy A.
Published: September 2015

It is believed that damage to the membranes of brain cells of schizophrenia (SCZ) patients induces the formation of autoantigens and autoantibodies. Nevertheless, the importance of immunological changes leading to the loss of tolerance to self-antigens in the genesis of SCZ has not been established. The MALDI mass spectra of the IgG light chains of 20 healthy donors were relatively homogeneous and characterized by one peak with only one maximum. In contrast to the healthy donors, the MALDI mass spectra of IgG light chains corresponding to 20 SCZ patients demonstrated, similarly to 20 autoimmune systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, two maxima of a comparable intensity. In addition, the MALDI spectra of the IgG light chains of five SLE and four SCZ patients contained a small additional brightly pronounced peak with remarkably lower molecular mass compared with the main one. DNase autoantibodies (abzymes) can be found in the blood of patients with several autoimmune diseases, while the blood of healthy donors or patients with diseases without a significant disturbance of the immune status does not contain DNase abzymes. Here, we present the first analysis of anti-DNA antibodies and DNase abzymes in the sera of SCZ patients. Several strict criteria have been applied to show that the DNase activity is an intrinsic property of IgGs from the sera of SCZ patients. The sera of approximately 30% of SCZ patients displayed a higher content of antibodies (compared with 37% of SLE) interacting with single- and double-stranded DNA compared with healthy donors. Antibodies with DNase activity were revealed in 80% of the patients. These data indicate that some SCZ patients may show signs of typical autoimmune processes to a certain extent.
Gravity-driven horizontal locomotion: theory and experiment
Authors: Kanstad Svein Otto , Kononoff Aulikki
Published: September 2015

Gravity is usually considered not to contribute net energy to horizontal locomotion, the force of gravity being at right angles to the velocity vector. However, when walking or running, humans essentially rotate around the support foot while falling forward during the support phase of the stride. The body thereby acquires angular momentum and rotational energy that are entirely due to the force of gravity, which may be coupled into the forward motion as a source of propulsion upon landing on the other foot. A theory is developed to determine the magnitude and nature of these effects of gravity, showing that more than 10% of the energy needed for running can be obtained from the field of gravity. Likewise, at a particular optimum velocity, walking may become entirely driven by gravity-induced angular momentum without any muscular effort. Experiments with athletes running or walking on a treadmill—after appropriate training—are consistent with the theory: angular momentum-rich locomotion techniques would have applications in sports, competition running and the mechanics of walking, and in the making of leg prostheses and exoskeletons, and might help to explain how humans can outrun larger prey animals to exhaustion during hours of hunting pursuits.
Size structures sensory hierarchy in ocean life
Authors: Martens Erik A. , Wadhwa Navish , Jacobsen Nis S. , Lindemann Christian , Andersen Ken H. , Visser André
Published: September 2015

Survival in aquatic environments requires organisms to have effective means of collecting information from their surroundings through various sensing strategies. In this study, we explore how sensing mode and range depend on body size. We find a hierarchy of sensing modes determined by body size. With increasing body size, a larger battery of modes becomes available (chemosensing, mechanosensing, vision, hearing and echolocation, in that order) while the sensing range also increases. This size-dependent hierarchy and the transitions between primary sensory modes are explained on the grounds of limiting factors set by physiology and the physical laws governing signal generation, transmission and reception. We theoretically predict the body size limits for various sensory modes, which align well with size ranges found in literature. The treatise of all ocean life, from unicellular organisms to whales, demonstrates how body size determines available sensing modes, and thereby acts as a major structuring factor of aquatic life.
Motility defects in Campylobacter jejuni defined gene deletion mutants caused by second-site mutations
Authors: de Vries Stefan P. W. , Gupta Srishti , Baig Abiyad , L'Heureux Joanna , Pont Elsa , Wolanska Dominika P. , Maskell Duncan J. , Grant Andrew J.
Published: September 2015

Genetic variation due to mutation and phase variation has a considerable impact on the commensal and pathogenic behaviours of Campylobacter jejuni. In this study, we provide an example of how second-site mutations can interfere with gene function analysis in C. jejuni. Deletion of the flagellin B gene (flaB) in C. jejuni M1 resulted in mutant clones with inconsistent motility phenotypes. From the flaB mutant clones picked for further analysis, two were motile, one showed intermediate motility and two displayed severely attenuated motility. To determine the molecular basis of this differential motility, a genome resequencing approach was used. Second-site mutations were identified in the severely attenuated and intermediate motility flaB mutant clones: a TA-dinucleotide deletion in fliW and an A deletion in flgD, respectively. Restoration of WT fliW, using a newly developed genetic complementation system, confirmed that the second-site fliW mutation caused the motility defect as opposed to the primary deletion of flaB. This study highlights the importance of (i) screening multiple defined gene deletion mutant clones, (ii) genetic complementation of the gene deletion and ideally (iii) screening for second-site mutations that might interfere with the pathways/mechanisms under study.