bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small molecule dual-inhibitors of TRPV4 and TRPA1 for attenuation of inflammation and pain
Authors: Kanju Patrick , Chen Yong , Lee Whasil , Yeo Michele , Lee Suk Hee , Romac Joelle , Shahid Rafiq , Fan Ping , Gooden David M. , Simon Sidney A. , Spasojevic Ivan , Mook Robert A. , Liddle Rodger A. , Guilak Farshid , Liedtke Wolfgang B.
Published: June 2016

TRPV4 ion channels represent osmo-mechano-TRP channels with pleiotropic function and wide-spread expression. One of the critical functions of TRPV4 in this spectrum is its involvement in pain and inflammation. However, few small-molecule inhibitors of TRPV4 are available. Here we developed TRPV4-inhibitory molecules based on modifications of a known TRPV4-selective tool-compound, GSK205. We not only increased TRPV4-inhibitory potency, but surprisingly also generated two compounds that potently co-inhibit TRPA1, known to function as chemical sensor of noxious and irritant signaling. We demonstrate TRPV4 inhibition by these compounds in primary cells with known TRPV4 expression - articular chondrocytes and astrocytes. Importantly, our novel compounds attenuate pain behavior in a trigeminal irritant pain model that is known to rely on TRPV4 and TRPA1. Furthermore, our novel dual-channel blocker inhibited inflammation and pain-associated behavior in a model of acute pancreatitis – known to also rely on TRPV4 and TRPA1. Our results illustrate proof of a novel concept inherent in our prototype compounds of a drug that targets two functionally-related TRP channels, and thus can be used to combat isoforms of pain and inflammation in-vivo that involve more than one TRP channel. This approach could provide a novel paradigm for treating other relevant health conditions.
Kennicutt-Schmidt Law in the Central Region of NGC 4321 as Seen by ALMA
Authors: Azeez Jazeel H. , Hwang C.-Y. , Abidin Zamri Z. , Ibrahim Zainol A.
Published: June 2016

We present the Atacama Large Millimeter/Sub-millimeter Array (ALMA) cycle-0 science verification data of the CO(1–0) line emission in the central region of NGC 4321 (also known as M100) at the distance of 17.1 Mpc and VLA, L-band data of HI of the same galaxy. We have drawn the center area of M100 in the 12CO(J = 1–0) line with the resolution of (3.87″ × 2.53″) as viewed by ALMA, along with HI and Spitzer 8 and 3.6 μm data. The relationship between the surface density of molecular gas mass ∑H2 and that of star formation rate ∑SFR has been investigated, in addition to the relationship between the surface density of the neutral atomic hydrogen mass and that of ∑SFR (Kennicutt–Schmidt law) in this galaxy with a high spatial resolution. The results indicate that a significant correlation exists between the SFR surface density and the molecular gas mass density in the ~2 kpc region. The power-law index has been determined for three regions: center, upper and lower arms. The value of this index in the center region is 1.13, which follows the traditional (K-S) law and indicates that the molecular gas is affected by star formation.
Polycomb Group Protein Pcgf6 Acts as a Master Regulator to Maintain Embryonic Stem Cell Identity
Authors: Yang Chao-Shun , Chang Kung-Yen , Dang Jason , Rana Tariq M.
Published: June 2016

The polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) is a multi-subunit complex that plays critical roles in the epigenetic modulation of gene expression. Here, we show that the PRC1 component polycomb group ring finger 6 (Pcgf6) is required to maintain embryonic stem cell (ESC) identity. In contrast to canonical PRC1, Pcgf6 acts as a positive regulator of transcription and binds predominantly to promoters bearing active chromatin marks. Pcgf6 is expressed at high levels in ESCs, and knockdown reduces the expression of the core ESC regulators Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog. Conversely, Pcgf6 overexpression prevents downregulation of these factors and impairs differentiation. In addition, Pcgf6 enhanced reprogramming in both mouse and human somatic cells. The genomic binding profile of Pcgf6 is highly similar to that of trithorax group proteins, but not of PRC1 or PRC2 complexes, suggesting that Pcgf6 functions atypically in ESCs. Our data reveal novel roles for Pcgf6 in directly regulating Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and Lin28 expression to maintain ESC identity.
Genetic Variation in the TAS2R38 Bitter Taste Receptor and Gastric Cancer Risk in Koreans
Authors: Choi Jeong-Hwa , Lee Jeonghee , Choi Il Ju , Kim Young-Woo , Ryu Keun Won , Kim Jeongseon
Published: June 2016

The human TAS2R38 gene encodes a bitter taste receptor that regulates the bitterness perception and differentiation of ingested nutritional/poisonous compounds in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. TAS2R38 gene variants are associated with alterations in individual sensitivity to bitter taste and food intake; hence, these genetic variants may modify the risk for diet-related diseases, including cancer. However, little is known about the association between TAS2R38 polymorphisms and gastric cancer susceptibility. The present case-control study examined the influence of TAS2R38 polymorphisms on food intake and determined whether they predict gastric cancer risk in Koreans. A total of 1,580 subjects, including 449 gastric cancer cases, were genotyped for TAS2R38 A49P, V262A, I296V and diplotypes. Dietary data were analysed to determine the total consumption of energy, fibre, vegetables, fruits, sweets, fats, alcohol and cigarettes. TAS2R38 diplotype was not associated with food, alcohol or cigarette consumption, either independent or dependent of gastric cancer phenotype. However, the PAV/AVI diplotype significantly increased gastric cancer risk (adjusted odds ratio: 1.513; 95% confidence interval: 1.148–1.994) independent of dietary intake. Findings suggest that TAS2R38 may be associated with the risk for gastric cancer in Koreans, although the TAS2R38 diplotype did not influence dietary intake.
Cholesterol Depletion from a Ceramide/Cholesterol Mixed Monolayer: A Brewster Angle Microscope Study
Authors: Mandal Pritam , Noutsi Pakiza , Chaieb Sahraoui
Published: June 2016

Cholesterol is crucial to the mechanical properties of cell membranes that are important to cells’ behavior. Its depletion from the cell membranes could be dramatic. Among cyclodextrins (CDs), methyl beta cyclodextrin (MβCD) is the most efficient to deplete cholesterol (Chol) from biomembranes. Here, we focus on the depletion of cholesterol from a C16 ceramide/cholesterol (C16-Cer/Chol) mixed monolayer using MβCD. While the removal of cholesterol by MβCD depends on the cholesterol concentration in most mixed lipid monolayers, it does not depend very much on the concentration of cholesterol in C16-Cer/Chol monolayers. The surface pressure decay during depletion were described by a stretched exponential that suggested that the cholesterol molecules are unable to diffuse laterally and behave like static traps for the MβCD molecules. Cholesterol depletion causes morphology changes of domains but these disrupted monolayers domains seem to reform even when cholesterol level was low.
Multi-model attribution of upper-ocean temperature changes using an isothermal approach
Authors: Weller Evan , Min Seung-Ki , Palmer Matthew D. , Lee Donghyun , Yim Bo Young , Yeh Sang-Wook
Published: June 2016

Both air-sea heat exchanges and changes in ocean advection have contributed to observed upper-ocean warming most evident in the late-twentieth century. However, it is predominantly via changes in air-sea heat fluxes that human-induced climate forcings, such as increasing greenhouse gases, and other natural factors such as volcanic aerosols, have influenced global ocean heat content. The present study builds on previous work using two different indicators of upper-ocean temperature changes for the detection of both anthropogenic and natural external climate forcings. Using simulations from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, we compare mean temperatures above a fixed isotherm with the more widely adopted approach of using a fixed depth. We present the first multi-model ensemble detection and attribution analysis using the fixed isotherm approach to robustly detect both anthropogenic and natural external influences on upper-ocean temperatures. Although contributions from multidecadal natural variability cannot be fully removed, both the large multi-model ensemble size and properties of the isotherm analysis reduce internal variability of the ocean, resulting in better observation-model comparison of temperature changes since the 1950s. We further show that the high temporal resolution afforded by the isotherm analysis is required to detect natural external influences such as volcanic cooling events in the upper-ocean because the radiative effect of volcanic forcings is short-lived.
SERS detection of Biomolecules at Physiological pH via aggregation of Gold Nanorods mediated by Optical Forces and Plasmonic Heating
Authors: Fazio Barbara , D’Andrea Cristiano , Foti Antonino , Messina Elena , Irrera Alessia , Donato Maria Grazia , Villari Valentina , Micali Norberto , Maragò Onofrio M. , Gucciardi Pietro G.
Published: June 2016

Strategies for in-liquid molecular detection via Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) are currently based on chemically-driven aggregation or optical trapping of metal nanoparticles in presence of the target molecules. Such strategies allow the formation of SERS-active clusters that efficiently embed the molecule at the “hot spots” of the nanoparticles and enhance its Raman scattering by orders of magnitude. Here we report on a novel scheme that exploits the radiation pressure to locally push gold nanorods and induce their aggregation in buffered solutions of biomolecules, achieving biomolecular SERS detection at almost neutral pH. The sensor is applied to detect non-resonant amino acids and proteins, namely Phenylalanine (Phe), Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and Lysozyme (Lys), reaching detection limits in the μg/mL range. Being a chemical free and contactless technique, our methodology is easy to implement, fast to operate, needs small sample volumes and has potential for integration in microfluidic circuits for biomarkers detection.
Predicting postoperative vomiting among orthopedic patients receiving patient-controlled epidural analgesia using SVM and LR
Authors: Wu Hsin-Yun , Gong Cihun-Siyong Alex , Lin Shih-Pin , Chang Kuang-Yi , Tsou Mei-Yung , Ting Chien-Kun
Published: June 2016

Patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) has been applied to reduce postoperative pain in orthopedic surgical patients. Unfortunately, PCEA is occasionally accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The logistic regression (LR) model is widely used to predict vomiting, and recently support vector machines (SVM), a supervised machine learning method, has been used for classification and prediction. Unlike our previous work which compared Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) with LR, this study uses a SVM-based predictive model to identify patients with high risk of vomiting during PCEA and comparing results with those derived from the LR-based model. From January to March 2007, data from 195 patients undergoing PCEA following orthopedic surgery were applied to develop two predictive models. 75% of the data were randomly selected for training, while the remainder was used for testing to validate predictive performance. The area under curve (AUC) was measured using the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC). The area under ROC curves of LR and SVM models were 0.734 and 0.929, respectively. A computer-based predictive model can be used to identify those who are at high risk for vomiting after PCEA, allowing for patient-specific therapeutic intervention or the use of alternative analgesic methods.
Effective Topological Charge Cancelation Mechanism
Authors: Mesarec Luka , Góźdź Wojciech , Iglič Aleš , Kralj Samo
Published: June 2016

Topological defects (TDs) appear almost unavoidably in continuous symmetry breaking phase transitions. The topological origin makes their key features independent of systems’ microscopic details; therefore TDs display many universalities. Because of their strong impact on numerous material properties and their significant role in several technological applications it is of strong interest to find simple and robust mechanisms controlling the positioning and local number of TDs. We present a numerical study of TDs within effectively two dimensional closed soft films exhibiting in-plane orientational ordering. Popular examples of such class of systems are liquid crystalline shells and various biological membranes. We introduce the Effective Topological Charge Cancellation mechanism controlling localised positional assembling tendency of TDs and the formation of pairs {defect, antidefect} on curved surfaces and/or presence of relevant “impurities” (e.g. nanoparticles). For this purpose, we define an effective topological charge Δmeff consisting of real, virtual and smeared curvature topological charges within a surface patch Δς identified by the typical spatially averaged local Gaussian curvature K. We demonstrate a strong tendency enforcing Δmeff → 0 on surfaces composed of Δς exhibiting significantly different values of spatially averaged K. For Δmeff ≠ 0 we estimate a critical depinning threshold to form pairs {defect, antidefect} using the electrostatic analogy.
The Association between Ambient Temperature and Childhood Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Chengdu, China: A Distributed Lag Non-linear Analysis
Authors: Yin Fei , Zhang Tao , Liu Lei , Lv Qiang , Li Xiaosong
Published: June 2016

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) has recently been recognized as a critical challenge to disease control and public health response in China. This study aimed to quantify the association between temperature and HFMD in Chengdu. Daily HFMD cases and meteorological variables in Chengdu between January 2010 and December 2013 were obtained to construct the time series. A distributed lag non-linear model was performed to investigate the temporal lagged association of daily temperature with age- and gender-specific HFMD. A total of 76,403 HFMD cases aged 0–14 years were reported in Chengdu during the study period and a bimodal seasonal pattern was observed. The temperature-HFMD relationships were non-linear in all age and gender groups, with the first peak at 14.0–14.1 °C and the second peak at 23.1–23.2 °C. The high temperatures had acute and short-term effects and declined quickly over time, while the effects in low temperature ranges were persistent over longer lag periods. Males and children aged <1 year were more vulnerable to temperature variations. Temperature played an important role in HFMD incidence with non-linear and delayed effects. The success of HFMD intervention strategies could benefit from giving more consideration to local climatic conditions.
A novel laser-collider used to produce monoenergetic 13.3 MeV 7Li (d, n) neutrons
Authors: Zhao J. R. , Zhang X. P. , Yuan D. W. , Li Y. T. , Li D. Z. , Rhee Y. J. , Zhang Z. , Li F. , Zhu B. J. , Li Yan F. , Han B. , Liu C. , Ma Y. , Li Yi F. , Tao M. Z. , Li M. H. , Guo X. , Huang X. G. , Fu S. Z. , Zhu J. Q. , Zhao G. , Chen L. M. , Fu C. B. , Zhang J.
Published: June 2016

Neutron energy is directly correlated with the energy of the incident ions in experiments involving laser-driven nuclear reactions. Using high-energy incident ions reduces the energy concentration of the generated neutrons. A novel “laser-collider” method was used at the Shenguang II laser facility to produce monoenergetic neutrons via 7Li (d, n) nuclear reactions. The specially designed K-shaped target significantly increased the numbers of incident d and Li ions at the keV level. Ultimately, 13.3 MeV neutrons were obtained. Considering the time resolution of the neutron detector, we demonstrated that the produced neutrons were monoenergetic. Interferometry and a Multi hydro-dynamics simulation confirmed the monoenergetic nature of these neutrons.
Design of broadband SERS substrates by the laser-induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Naumenko Denys , Stolzer Lukas , Quick Alexander S. , Abt Doris , Wegener Martin , Barner-Kowollik Christopher , Zilio Simone Dal , Marmiroli Benedetta , Amenitsch Heinz , Fruk Ljiljana , Lazzarino Marco
Published: June 2016

Direct laser writing has been used to produce substrates for multi-wavelength SERS analysis.
Colorimetric detection of cysteine and homocysteine based on an oligonucleotide-stabilized Pd nanozyme
Authors: Li Wei , Zhi Xing , Yang Jingjing , Zhang Jinli , Fu Yan
Published: June 2016

Pd-based peroxidase nanomimetic materials were templated using cytosine-rich oligonucleotides, and were employed in the colorimetric detection of biothiols including cysteine and homocysteine.
Effect of monoglycerides and fatty acids on a ceramide bilayer
Authors: Akinshina Anna , Das Chinmay , Noro Massimo G.
Published: June 2016

A systematic study of the effect of saturated and unsaturated oil additives on a ceramide bilayer (skin lipids) using MD simulations.
The importance of polarizability: comparison of models of carbon disulphide in the ionic liquids [C1C1im][NTf2] and [C4C1im][NTf2]
Authors: Lynden-Bell Ruth M. , Quitevis Edward L.
Published: June 2016

Three dimensional distribution of CS2 around a [C1C1im]+ ion showing the difference in behaviour of polarizable (red) and unpolarizable (blue) models of CS2.
Manipulating the charge state of Au clusters on rutile TiO2(110) single crystal surfaces through molecular reactions probed by infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Cao Yunjun , Hu Shujun , Yu Min , Wang Tingting , Huang Shiming , Yan Shishen , Xu Mingchun
Published: June 2016

The charge state of Au clusters on TiO2(110) is manipulated through (NO)2→ N2O + Oareactions: (1) interfacial Au atoms by intensely direct charge transfer; (2) top Au atoms by weakly indirect charge transfer.
Hägg carbide surfaces induced Pt morphological changes: a theoretical insight
Authors: He Yurong , Zhao Peng , Guo Wenping , Yang Yong , Huo Chun-Fang , Li Yong-Wang , Wen Xiao-Dong
Published: June 2016

Comprehensive spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) combined with ab initio molecular dynamic (AIMD) simulations have been performed to explore the structures, energies, and diffusion behavior of platinum on Fe5C2 surfaces with importance in Fischer–Tropsch (F–T) catalysis.
Hypo-electronic triple-decker sandwich complexes: synthesis and structural characterization of [(Cp*Mo)2{μ–η6:η6-B4H4E-Ru(CO)3}] (E = S, Se, Te or Ru(CO)3 and Cp* = η5-C5Me5)
Authors: Mondal Bijan , Bhattacharyya Moulika , Varghese Babu , Ghosh Sundargopal
Published: June 2016

Electron-poor triple-decker complexes, [(Cp*Mo)2{μ–η6:η6-B4H4ERu(CO)3}] (E = S, Se, Te, Ru(CO)3) with hexagonal bridging ring composed of boron, ruthenium and chalcogen atoms.
Enhanced bactericidal toxicity of silver nanoparticles by the antibiotic gentamicin
Authors: Wang Yan-Wen , Tang Huan , Wu Di , Liu Dong , Liu Yuanfang , Cao Aoneng , Wang Haifang
Published: June 2016

The alteration of properties of nanomaterials in the environment may change the interaction of the nano–bio interface and the corresponding bio-responses.
Decoherence, control and attosecond probing of XUV-induced charge migration in biomolecules. A theoretical outlook
Authors: Lara-Astiaso Manuel , Ayuso David , Tavernelli Ivano , Decleva Piero , Palacios Alicia , Martín Fernando
Published: June 2016

The sudden ionization of a molecule by an attosecond pulse is followed by charge redistribution on a time scale from a few femtoseconds down to hundreds of attoseconds. This ultrafast redistribution is the result of the coherent superposition of electronic continua associated with the ionization thresholds that are reached by the broadband attosecond pulse. Thus, a correct theoretical description of the time evolution of the ensuing wave packet requires the knowledge of the actual ionization amplitudes associated with all open ionization channels, a real challenge for large and medium-size molecules. Recently, the first calculation of this kind has come to light, allowing for interpretation of ultrafast electron dynamics observed in attosecond pump–probe experiments performed on the amino acid phenylalanine [Calegari et al., Science 2014, 346, 336]. However, as in most previous theoretical works, the interpretation was based on various simplifying assumptions, namely, the ionized electron was not included in the description of the cation dynamics, the nuclei were fixed at their initial position during the hole migration process, and the effect of the IR probe pulse was ignored. Here we go a step further and discuss the consequences of including these effects in the photoionization of the glycine molecule. We show that (i) the ionized electron does not affect hole dynamics beyond the first femtosecond, and (ii) nuclear dynamics has only a significant effect after approximately 8 fs, but does not destroy the coherent motion of the electronic wave packet during at least few additional tens of fs. As a first step towards understanding the role of the probe pulse, we have considered an XUV probe pulse, instead of a strong IR one, and show that such an XUV probe does not introduce significant distortions in the pump-induced dynamics, suggesting that pump–probe strategies are suitable for imaging and manipulating charge migration in complex molecules. Furthermore, we show that hole dynamics can be changed by shaping the attosecond pump pulse, thus opening the door to the control of charge dynamics in biomolecules.
Changes in fatty acid composition of human milk over lactation stages and relationship with dietary intake in Chinese women
Authors: Jiang Jiajing , Wu Kejian , Yu Zuxun , Ren Yiping , Zhao Yiming , Jiang Yuan , Xu Xingfang , Li Wei , Jin Yongxin , Yuan Jihong , Li Duo
Published: June 2016

Human milk is considered as an optimal nutrition source for neonates, and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have a key function in neurodevelopment for infants.
Synthesis, structure and properties of thiophene-fused BODIPYs and azaBODIPYs as near-infrared agents
Authors: Wang Jun , Li Jin , Chen Na , Wu Yayang , Hao Erhong , Wei Yun , Mu Xiaolong , Jiao Lijuan
Published: June 2016

Annulation of thiophene to the BODIPY/aza-BODIPY core showed a significant impact on the spectral properties of the resulting scaffolds.
An efficient approach to construct benzisothiazol-3(2H)-ones via copper-catalyzed consecutive reaction of 2-halobenzamides and carbon disulfide
Authors: Li Ting , Yang Lei , Ni Kaidong , Shi Zhenyu , Li Fei , Chen Dongyin
Published: June 2016

An efficient copper-catalyzed reaction for the synthesis of benzisothiazol-3(2H)-ones has been developed, starting from easily available 2-halobenzamides and carbon disulfide. The reaction proceeds via a consecutive process with S–C bond and S–N bond formation.
Alkyl substituted [2.2]paracyclophane-1,9-dienes
Authors: Lidster Benjamin J. , Kumar Dharam R. , Spring Andrew M. , Yu Chin-Yang , Helliwell Madeleine , Raftery James , Turner Michael L.
Published: June 2016

Highly strained alkyl-substituted [2.2]paracyclophane-1,9-dienes, suitable for ring opening metathesis polymerization to poly(phenylene vinylenes), have been prepared in excellent yields.
Graphene–CNT hetero-structure for next generation interconnects
Authors: Ghosh K. , Ranjan N. , Verma Y. K. , Tan C. S.
Published: June 2016

A novel growth and fabrication technique has been demonstrated for the heterostructure of CNT/graphene materials for replacing horizontal metal lines and metals in vertical interconnects.
Aluminum substituted nickel ferrite (Ni–Al–Fe): a ternary metal oxide adsorbent for arsenic adsorption in aqueous medium
Authors: Penke Yaswanth K. , Anantharaman Ganapathi , Ramkumar Janakarajan , Kar Kamal K.
Published: June 2016

In this article synthesis and characterization of ternary metal oxide of aluminum substituted nickel ferrite and its adsorption capability for arsenic [(As(iii)) and (As(v))] species have been reported.
Palladium catalyzed C–H bond acetoxylation: isoxazolinyl as a directing group
Authors: Geng Caiwei , Jiang Minghui , Feng Lifei , Jiao Peng
Published: June 2016

Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed acetoxylations of 3-aryl or 3-alkyl groups mounted on a 2-isoxazoline ring were studied. Substituent effect on reactivity and regioselectivity was examined. The acetoxylation was applied to the synthesis of useful intermediates.
Trapping oxygen in hierarchically porous carbon nano-nets: graphitic nitrogen dopants boost the electrocatalytic activity
Authors: Han Li-Na , Wei Xiao , Zhang Bing , Li Xin-Hao , Zhu Qian-Cheng , Wang Kai-Xue , Chen Jie-Sheng
Published: June 2016

Graphitic-nitrogen doped hierarchically porous carbon nano-nets exhibited excellent ORR and OER activities for constructing rechargeable two-electrode Zn–air batteries.
Self-assembled collagen-like-peptide implants as alternatives to human donor corneal transplantation
Authors: Islam M. Mirazul , Ravichandran R. , Olsen D. , Ljunggren M. K. , Fagerholm Per , Lee C. J. , Griffith M. , Phopase J.
Published: June 2016

PEG-conjugated collagen-like peptides promote corneal regeneration in a pig cornea.
Facile preparation of N,S-doped hierarchical porous carbons based on 3-aminophenol-3-mercaptophenol co-resins for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Shen Honglong , Zhou Jin , Zhao Yongteng , Zhang Shuai , Bi Xu , Zhuo Shuping , Cui Hongyou
Published: June 2016

N,S-doped hierarchical porous carbon materials were facilely prepared via a one-step carbonization of potassium salts of 3-aminophenol-3-mecaptophenol co-resin for high performance supercapacitor applications.
Adsorption of naphthalene onto high-surface-area nanoparticle loaded activated carbon by high performance liquid chromatography: response surface methodology, isotherm and kinetic study
Authors: Ghaedi Mehrorang , Daneshyar Anahita , Asfaram Arash , Purkait Mihir Kumar
Published: June 2016

Naphthalene removal from aqueous solution was investigated using zinc sulfide nanoparticle loaded activated carbon (ZnS-NPs-AC).
Ultrathin nanosheets of palladium in boosting its cocatalyst role and plasmonic effect towards enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Zhu Yuzhen , Xu Zaixiang , Jiang Wenya , Yin Wenjie , Zhong Shuxian , Gong Peijun , Qiao Ru , Li Zhengquan , Bai Song
Published: June 2016

Large surface area for catalytic reaction/light absorption and large interfacial area with semiconductor for charge transfer highlight the ultrathin metal nanosheets as ideal cocatalyst and plasmonic agent in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
In situ encapsulation of Pd crystals inside foam-like carbon films continuously filled with α-Fe: investigating the nucleation of FePd3 alloys
Authors: Boi Filippo S. , Guo Jian , Lan Mu , Xiang Gang , He Yi , Wang Shanling , Chen Hongmei
Published: June 2016

A key challenge in the fabrication and encapsulation of FePd alloys inside carbon materials is the achievement of continuous FexPdx filling rates.
Protective effects of phyllanthin, a lignan from Phyllanthus amarus, against progression of high fat diet induced metabolic disturbances in mice
Authors: Jagtap Sneha , Khare Pragyanshu , Mangal Priyanka , Kondepudi Kanthi Kiran , Bishnoi Mahendra , Bhutani Kamlesh Kumar
Published: June 2016

Phyllanthin delayed the progression of high fat diet induced changes affecting lipid and glucose metabolism such as adiposity, hypertriglyceridemia, fatty liver, inflammation, lipid peroxidation and insulin resistance.
Biosynthesis, isolation, and structural characterization of ε-poly-l-lysine produced by Streptomyces sp. DES20
Authors: Gao Hongliu , Luo Shi-Zhong
Published: June 2016

ε-Poly-l-lysine (ε-PL) is an unusual, naturally occurring homo-polyamide made of 25–35l-lysines with antimicrobial activities.
Reaction of sodium 2-(2-(2,4-dioxopentan-3-ylidene)hydrazinyl) benzenesulfonate with ethylenediamine on Cu(ii) and Ni(ii) centres: efficient Cu(ii) homogeneous catalysts for cyanosilylation of aldehydes
Authors: Mahmoud Abdallah G. , Mahmudov Kamran T. , Guedes da Silva M. Fátima C. , Pombeiro Armando J. L.
Published: June 2016

Reaction of sodium 2-(2-(2,4-dioxopentan-3-ylidene)hydrazinyl)benzenesulfonate with ethylenediamine on Cu(ii) and Ni(ii) centres lead to variety of metal complexes which effectively catalyse the cyanosilylation of aldehydes with trimethylsilyl cyanide.
Synthesis and characterization of alkali metal molybdates with high catalytic activity for dye degradation
Authors: Zhang Yili , Zhang Zhang , Zhou Tuantuan , Lu Peng , Gao Yanshan , Yu Feng , Umar Ahmad , Wang Qiang
Published: June 2016

In this contribution, the synthesis and catalytic activity of alkali metal molybdates for the degradation of cationic dyes under ambient conditions were systematically studied.
Nano-antacids enhance pH neutralization beyond their bulk counterparts: synthesis and characterization
Authors: Raliya Ramesh , Som Avik , Shetty Nishit , Reed Nathan , Achilefu Samuel , Biswas Pratim
Published: June 2016

Antacids are crucial in the treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcers.
All-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors based on ZnO quantum dots/carbon/CNT and porous N-doped carbon/CNT electrodes derived from a single ZIF-8/CNT template
Authors: Zhang Yidong , Lin Baoping , Wang Junchuan , Tian Jiahui , Sun Ying , Zhang Xueqin , Yang Hong
Published: June 2016

Selectively converting a single MOF/CNT template into ZnO quantum dots/carbon/CNTs and porous N-doped carbon/CNTs for all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors.
A novel fluorescent chemosensor based on tetra-peptides for detecting zinc ions in aqueous solutions and live cells
Authors: Wang Peng , Wu Jiang , Su Pingru , Shan Changfu , Zhou Panpan , Ge Yushu , Liu Dan , Liu Weisheng , Tang Yu
Published: June 2016

A novel fluorescent chemosensor (HL) based on tetra-peptides conjugated with dansyl groups has been designed and synthesized, which is a promising analytical tool for detecting Zn2+ in aqueous solutions and live cells.
A pH-responsive nanocontainer based on hydrazone-bearing hollow silica nanoparticles for targeted tumor therapy
Authors: Dai Liangliang , Zhang Qingfeng , Shen Xinkun , Sun Qiang , Mu Caiyun , Gu Hao , Cai Kaiyong
Published: June 2016

pH-responsive hollow silica nanoparticles blocked with hyaluronic acid molecules for targeted tumor therapy with high efficiency and good biocompatibility.
Rational design of novel near-infrared fluorescent DCM derivatives and their application in bioimaging
Authors: Wang Xiaohang , Guo Zhiqian , Zhu Shiqin , Liu Yajing , Shi Ping , Tian He , Zhu Wei-Hong
Published: June 2016

Tailoring the wavelength to NIR emission was realized by replacing the strong electron-withdrawing groups or extending the π-conjugated system based on the DCM chromophore, along with beneficial characteristics such as bright NIR fluorescence, large Stokes shift and low photo-bleaching.
Irreversible destruction of amyloid fibril plaques by conjugated polymer based fluorogenic nanogrenades
Authors: Dou Wei-Tao , Lv Ying , Tan Chunyan , Chen Guo-Rong , He Xiao-Peng
Published: June 2016

Supramolecular assembly between conjugated polymers and fluorescent dyes produces a unique class of fluorogenic “nanogrenades” with the ability to image as well as irreversibly destruct amyloid β fibril plaques by simple white-light irradiation.
A phosphorescent Ir(iii) complex with formamide for the luminescence determination of low-level water content in organic solvents
Authors: Guo Song , Ma Yun , Liu Shujuan , Yu Qi , Xu Aqiang , Han Jianmei , Wei Liuwei , Zhao Qiang , Huang Wei
Published: June 2016

A novel formamide-containing Ir(iii) complex was designed and synthesized for the determination of water content with low LOD and LOQ by a time-resolved luminescence technique.
Cytotoxicity and autophagy dysfunction induced by different sizes of silica particles in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells
Authors: Li Qiuling , Hu Hejing , Jiang Lizhen , Zou Yang , Duan Junchao , Sun Zhiwei
Published: June 2016

Two size of nano-scale (40 nm, 60 nm) and one size of micro-scale (200 nm) silica particles were studied to investigate the possible mechanism of cytotoxicity and autophagy dysfunction in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells.
Measurement of effective sheath width around the cutoff probe based on electromagnetic simulation
Authors: Kim D. W. , You S. J. , Kim J. H. , Chang H. Y. , Yoon J.-S. , Oh W. Y.
Published: June 2016

We inferred the effective sheath width using the cutoff probe and incorporating a full-wave three-dimensional electromagnetic (EM) simulation. The EM simulation reproduced the experimentally obtained plasma-sheath resonance (PSR) on the microwave transmission (S21) spectrum well. The PSR frequency has a one-to-one correspondence with the width of the vacuum layer assumed to be the effective sheath in the EM simulation model. The sheath width was estimated by matching the S21 spectra of the experiment and the EM simulation for different widths of the sheath. We found that the inferred sheath widths quantitatively and qualitatively agree with the sheath width measured by incorporating an equivalent circuit model. These results demonstrate the excellent potential of the cutoff probe for inferring the effective sheath width from its experimental spectrum data.
Impedance of an intense plasma-cathode electron source for tokamak startup
Authors: Hinson E. T. , Barr J. L. , Bongard M. W. , Burke M. G. , Fonck R. J. , Perry J. M.
Published: June 2016

An impedance model is formulated and tested for the ∼1 kV, 1 kA/cm2, arc-plasma cathode electron source used for local helicity injection tokamak startup. A double layer sheath is established between the high-density arc plasma (narc≈1021 m−3) within the electron source, and the less dense external tokamak edge plasma (nedge≈1018 m−3) into which current is injected at the applied injector voltage, Vinj. Experiments on the Pegasus spherical tokamak show that the injected current, Iinj, increases with Vinj according to the standard double layer scaling Iinj∼Vinj3/2 at low current and transitions to Iinj∼Vinj1/2 at high currents. In this high current regime, sheath expansion and/or space charge neutralization impose limits on the beam density nb∼Iinj/Vinj1/2. For low tokamak edge density nedge and high Iinj, the inferred beam density nb is consistent with the requirement nb≤nedge imposed by space-charge neutralization of the beam in the tokamak edge plasma. At sufficient edge density, nb∼narc is observed, consistent with a limit to nb imposed by expansion of the double layer sheath. These results suggest that narc is a viable control actuator for the source impedance.
Academic community responds to harassment cases
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: June 2016

Updated guidelines for professional behavior aim to improve the culture of science—and even the science that gets done.
Substituted Carbazoles – A New Class of Anthelmintic Agent
Authors: Rennison David , Gueret Stephanie M. , Laita Olivia , Bland Ross J. , Sutherland Ian A. , Boddy Ian K. , Brimble Margaret A.
Published: May 2016

A series of novel carbazoles were synthesized based on structural modifications to lead carbazole 1 (EC100 = 2.5 μM against Haemonchus contortus in vitro), which was revealed in a small molecule screening program as a potentially promising platform for the development of new anthelmintic drugs. Subsequently, analogues 19, 21, 41, 42 (EC100 = 1.25 μM, all), and 39 (EC100 = 0.625 μM) were demonstrated to exhibit enhanced in vitro anthelmintic activity over the lead structure, with compound 39 also being shown to be active in vivo against Heligmosomoides polygyrus.
Mechanisms underlying the social enhancement of vocal learning in songbirds
Authors: Chen Yining , Matheson Laura E. , Sakata Jon T.
Published: June 2016

Significance

Social interactions are fundamental to the acquisition of speech and language; therefore, it is critical to reveal mechanisms of social influences to understand general mechanisms of vocal learning. Like humans, songbirds learn their vocalizations during development. We demonstrate that social interactions rapidly enhance vocal learning, attention to song, and the activity of catecholamine-synthesizing neurons in juvenile zebra finches. We also reveal that adult finches alter the structure of their vocalizations when interacting with juveniles in ways that resemble how humans alter their speech when interacting with infants, and that could enhance learning. Our data suggest that social influences on attention, acoustic structure, and catecholaminergic activity represent evolutionarily important mechanisms mediating the social enhancement of vocal learning across humans and songbirds.
Ancient crops provide first archaeological signature of the westward Austronesian expansion
Authors: Crowther Alison , Lucas Leilani , Helm Richard , Horton Mark , Shipton Ceri , Wright Henry T. , Walshaw Sarah , Pawlowicz Matthew , Radimilahy Chantal , Douka Katerina , Picornell-Gelabert Llorenç , Fuller Dorian Q. , Boivin Nicole L.
Published: June 2016

Significance

The prehistoric settlement of Madagascar by people from distant Southeast Asia has long captured both scholarly and public imagination, but on the ground evidence for this colonization has eluded archaeologists for decades. Our study provides the first, to our knowledge, archaeological evidence for an early Southeast Asian presence in Madagascar and reveals that this settlement extended to the Comoros. Our findings point to a complex Malagasy settlement history and open new research avenues for linguists, geneticists, and archaeologists to further study the timing and process of this population movement. They also provide insight into early processes of Indian Ocean biological exchange and in particular, Madagascar’s floral introductions, which account for one-tenth of its current vascular plant species diversity.
Lateral transport of soil carbon and land−atmosphere CO
2
flux induced by water erosion in China
Authors: Yue Yao , Ni Jinren , Ciais Philippe , Piao Shilong , Wang Tao , Huang Mengtian , Borthwick Alistair G. L. , Li Tianhong , Wang Yichu , Chappell Adrian , Van Oost Kristof
Published: June 2016

Significance

The role of soil erosion as a net sink or source of atmospheric CO
2
remains highly debated. This work quantifies national-scale land−atmosphere CO
2
fluxes induced by soil erosion. Severe water erosion in China has caused displacement of 180 ± 80 Mt C⋅y
-1
of soil organic carbon during the last two decades, and the consequent land−atmosphere CO
2
flux from water erosion is a net CO
2
sink of 45 ± 25 Mt C⋅y
-1
, equivalent to 8–37% of the terrestrial carbon sink previously assessed in China. This closes an important gap concerning large-scale estimation of lateral and vertical CO
2
fluxes from water erosion and highlights the importance of reducing uncertainty in assessing terrestrial carbon balance.
Assortative mating and differential fertility by phenotype and genotype across the 20th century
Authors: Conley Dalton , Laidley Thomas , Belsky Daniel W. , Fletcher Jason M. , Boardman Jason D. , Domingue Benjamin W.
Published: June 2016

Significance

We describe dynamics in assortative mating and fertility patterns by polygenic scores associated with anthropometric traits, depression, and educational attainment across birth cohorts from 1920 to 1955. We find that, for example, increases in assortative mating at the phenotypic level for education are not matched at the genotypic level. We also show that genes related to height are positively associated with fertility and that, despite a widening gap between the more and less educated with respect to fertility, there is no evidence that this trend is associated with genes. These findings are important to our understanding of the roots of shifting distributions of health and behavior across generations in US society.
Oncogenic mutations in the FBXW7 gene of adult T-cell leukemia patients
Authors: Yeh Chien-Hung , Bellon Marcia , Pancewicz-Wojtkiewicz Joanna , Nicot Christophe
Published: June 2016

Significance

This study, to our knowledge for the first time, describes cooperative oncogenic activities of mutated F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7 (FBXW7; D510E and D527G) with the viral oncogene human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 Tax, mutated p53, or c-Myc. Given the high rate of mutation of both p53 and c-Myc in human cancers, our study suggests that the selective loss of FBXW7 functions may play a more active role than previously thought in tumorigenesis.
Sphingomyelin is sorted at the
trans
Golgi network into a distinct class of secretory vesicle
Authors: Deng Yongqiang , Rivera-Molina Felix E. , Toomre Derek K. , Burd Christopher G.
Published: June 2016

Significance

The biochemical reactions that drive cellular life are housed in distinct membrane enclosed compartments known as organelles. Whereas proteins targeting to different organelles are well developed, little is known regarding how lipids are sorted to different organelles. We engineered a protein from a marine organism into a fluorescent “biosensor” of sphingomyelin (SM), a sphingolipid that is produced in the Golgi apparatus but is a major component of the plasma membrane. By monitoring SM dynamics in live cells, we discovered that SM is transported from its site of synthesis in the Golgi to the plasma membrane in a distinct type of secretory transport carrier. Our findings show that vesicle-based trafficking pathways are specialized to transport distinct types of lipids, in addition to proteins.
Interlocking directorates in Irish companies using a latent space model for bipartite networks
Authors: Friel Nial , Rastelli Riccardo , Wyse Jason , Raftery Adrian E.
Published: June 2016

Significance

We develop a statistical model for the evolution of the network of leading Irish company directorates over 11 years, before and after the financial crisis of 2008. We focus on company interlocks, whereby a director simultaneously sits on more than one company board. Our analysis indicates that the level of director interlockingness increased from 2003, reaching a peak in 2009, and has generally stabilized since then.
Justice and Utility
Authors: Taylor Paul W.
Published: June 2016

That utility is not a sufficient test for a set of social rules to be morally binding upon a group of persons has been argued in a number of recent books and articles. Yet it is generally conceded in these arguments that a group's observance of rules makes possible greater benefits than would accrue if each did not associate himself with others under the rules. It is not denied that the practice of morality is socially advantageous. What is denied is that social advantage is either the sole criterion or a sufficient criterion for the justifiability of any set of rules that could constitute the de facto system of moral requirements in a given society.

What, then, is sufficient? The answer I am interested in defending in this paper is that both utility as an aggregative principle and justice as a distributive principle are each a necessary condition and together provide a sufficient condition for the justification of a moral code. In the first two parts of this paper, I shall explain how the concepts of justice and utility, respectively, are to be construed in the argument of the third part.
The Presumption of Atheism
Authors: Flew Antony
Published: June 2016

At the beginning of Book X of his last work The Laws Plato turns his attention from violent and outrageous actions in general to the particular case of undisciplined and presumptuous behaviour in matters of religion: “We have already stated summarily what the punishment should be for temple-robbing, whether by open force or secretly. But the punishments for the various sorts of insolence in speech or action with regard to the gods, which a man can show in word or deed, have to be proclaimed after we have provided an exordium. Let this be it: ‘No one believing, as the laws prescribe, in the existence of the gods has ever yet performed an impious action willingly, or uttered a lawless word. Anyone acting in such a way is in one of three conditions: either, first, he does not believe the proposition aforesaid; or, second, he believes that though the gods exist they have no concern about men; or, third, he believes that they can easily be won over by the bribery of prayer and sacrifice” (§ 885B).
A Defense of Pacifism
Authors: Regan Tom
Published: June 2016

The title of this paper is misleading. I do not intend to defend pacifism against those who would contend that it is false. In point of fact, I agree that pacifism is false, and profoundly so, if any moral belief is. Yet pacifism’s critics sometimes believe it is false for inadequate reasons, and it is important to make the inadequacy of these reasons apparent whenever possible. Otherwise pacifism’s apologists are apt to suppose that they have overcome their critic’s strongest objections, when, in fact, in exposing the inadequacy of the grounds of certain objections, they have succeeded only in meeting the weaker ones. What I intend to defend, then, is not the truth of pacifism, but the very different claim that pacifism is not necessarily false. This objection to pacifism, which, if sound, would silence the debate over its possible merits, and which, therefore, if sound, would be a strong objection indeed, is set forth by Jan Narveson in his paper on pacifism. I hope to show that this objection is unfounded, and I shall, accordingly, direct my argument principally against Narveson’s. And yet it is with a certain degree of reluctance that I do so, since Narveson, himself, suggests that “most people” whose opinion he has solicited would agree with me that pacifism, although false, is not necessarily so. One runs a risk, in such a situation, of pouring old wine into new bottles.
The Proof of Utility and Equity in Mill's Utilitarianism
Authors: Marshall John
Published: June 2016

This is yet another study of Mill's ‘proof’ of utilitarianism, and since the topic is by now rather shop-worn I should state right off what new form I hope to give to it. Mill argues from the premise that each person desires his own happiness to the conclusion that the general happiness is desirable. To be more precise, he argues that one's own happiness is the only thing that any person desires as an end, and from this he moves to the conclusion that the general happiness is that state of things which should be promoted. It is not necessary at the outset to accept this as the correct rendering of Mill's argument; it is part of my object to show that it is.
Persons, Thoughts and Brains
Authors: Clarke J. J.
Published: June 2016

‘Mental processes are brain processes’ is not a logically necessary truth, but nevertheless certain logical conditions must be fulfilled if it is to be a candidate for the role of contingent truth. Not just anything can, conceivably, be contingently identical with anything else: a play cannot be identical with its copies, nor beauty with a beautiful object. The propagation of light may be electromagnetic radiation, but it cannot conceivably be the tri-section of a right-angle. In this paper I shall be concerned with the general question of whether there are any logical barriers to mind-body identification, and I shall approach this via the more particular question of whether the mental processes of persons can conceivably be identical with the physiological processes of brains. It is my contention that identity theorists, by concentrating their attentions upon what were once called the “lower” parts of the soul rather than upon “higher” parts which are more typical of human persons, have paved a logical way for themselves which is artificially straight.