bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PACAP38/PAC1 Signaling Induces Bone Marrow-Derived Cells Homing to Ischemic Brain
Authors: Lin Chen-Huan , Chiu Lian , Lee Hsu-Tung , Chiang Chun-Wei , Liu Shih-Ping , Hsu Yung-Hsiang , Lin Shinn-Zong , Hsu Chung Y. , Hsieh Chia-Hung , Shyu Woei-Cherng
Published: December 2014

Understanding stem cell homing, which is governed by environmental signals from the surrounding niche, is important for developing effective stem cell-based repair strategies. The molecular mechanism by which the brain under ischemic stress recruits bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) to the vascular niche remains poorly characterized. Here we report that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) activation upregulates pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide 38 (PACAP38), which in turn activates PACAP type 1 receptor (PAC1) under hypoxia in vitro and cerebral ischemia in vivo. BMDCs homing to endothelial cells in the ischemic brain are mediated by HIF-1α activation of the PACAP38-PAC1 signaling cascade followed by upregulation of cellular prion protein and α6-integrin to enhance the ability of BMDCs to bind laminin in the vascular niche. Exogenous PACAP38 confers a similar effect in facilitating BMDCs homing into the ischemic brain, resulting in reduction of ischemic brain injury. These findings suggest a novel HIF-1α-activated PACAP38-PAC1 signaling process in initiating BMDCs homing into the ischemic brain for reducing brain injury and enhancing functional recovery after ischemic stroke. Stem Cells  2015;33:1153–1172
Concise Review: Cell Therapies for Hereditary Metabolic Liver Diseases—Concepts, Clinical Results, and Future Developments
Authors: Cantz Tobias , Sharma Amar Deep , Ott Michael
Published: December 2014

The concept of cell-based therapies for inherited metabolic liver diseases has been introduced for now more than 40 years in animal experiments, but controlled clinical data in humans are still not available. In the era of dynamic developments in stem cell science, the “right” cell for transplantation is considered as an important key for successful treatment. Do we aim to transplant mature hepatocytes or do we consider the liver as a stem/progenitor-driven organ and replenish the diseased liver with genetically normal stem/progenitor cells? Although conflicting results from cell tracing and transplantation experiments have recently emerged about the existence and role of stem/progenitor cells in the liver, their overall contribution to parenchymal cell homeostasis and tissue repair is limited. Accordingly, engraftment and repopulation efficacies of extrahepatic and liver-derived stem/progenitor cell types are considered to be lower compared to mature hepatocytes. On the basis of these results, we will discuss the current clinical cell transplantation programs for inherited metabolic liver diseases and future developments in liver cell therapy. Stem Cells  2015;33:1055–1062
Inclusion and Exclusion: A Case Study of an English Class for LGBT Learners
Authors: Moore Ashley R.
Published: December 2014

This article presents a case study of an English conversation class organised by a nonpolitical group of lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) people in Japan. The primary aims of this study are to explore what kinds of learning needs these students had and to consider more generally how educators can best meet LGBT students’ needs. Using interview data from six class participants, the author uses an applied thematic analysis to examine their experiences of learning in mainstream, commercial educational contexts as lesbian and gay students. He then contrasts this with their experiences of learning in the LGBT English class. He shows how the LGBT class allowed the necessary space for students to speak honestly as themselves, an affordance increasingly seen as crucial in the development of second language proficiency, which was often not granted to them in commercial conversation schools. However, the inclusivity of the LGBT class was not a given; new members often struggled to establish themselves in the group. Moreover, the content of the LGBT class often restricted learners’ voices in other ways by focusing on issues not relevant to learners’ lived experiences, disadvantaging students who had limited interest in mainstream gay culture, and at times reinforcing heteronormative discourses and essentialised images of gay identities.
Genetic Counselors and Health Literacy: The Role of Genetic Counselors in Developing a Web‐Based Resource About the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Mann Sylvia , Mui Pauline , Boomsma Jennifer , Hasegawa Lianne
Published: December 2014

The Western States Genetic Services Collaborative (WSGSC) recognized the need for clear and understandable information about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for families throughout the life course. The genetic counselors working in the WSGSC developed, tested, and implemented a web resource (http://www.westernstatesgenetics.org/ACA_home.htm) to help families navigate information about the ACA tailored to their life situation. The training and experience of genetic counselors provide the skills needed to translate complicated information, like that of the ACA, into formats that the general public can comprehend. The website went public in October 2013, and it has been positively received. The development of this website is a good case study in how genetic counseling skills can be applied to public health education and improving health literacy.
A Brief Review of Extensor Tendon Injuries Specific to the Pediatric Patient
Authors: Dwyer C. Liam , Ramirez Rey N. , Lubahn John D.
Published: December 2014

Extensor tendon injuries in the pediatric population require careful evaluation and treatment. This article focuses on the differences in injury type and treatment of pediatric versus adult extensor tendon injuries. A detailed history and physical examination is crucial in the management of extensor tendon injuries of the young patient. Treatment of pediatric extensor tendon injuries depends largely on the site of injury. A majority of these injuries may be treated with splinting or primary repair. Treatment methods that require high compliance must be adjusted for the young child.
Quasi-shadowing for partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms
Authors: HU HUYI , ZHOU YUNHUA , ZHU YUJUN
Published: December 2014

A partially hyperbolic diffeomorphism $f$ has the quasi-shadowing property if for any pseudo orbit $\{x_{k}\}_{k\in \mathbb{Z}}$, there is a sequence of points $\{y_{k}\}_{k\in \mathbb{Z}}$ tracing it in which $y_{k+1}$ is obtained from $f(y_{k})$ by a motion ${\it\tau}$ along the center direction. We show that any partially hyperbolic diffeomorphism has the quasi-shadowing property, and if $f$ has a $C^{1}$ center foliation then we can require ${\it\tau}$ to move the points along the center foliation. As applications, we show that any partially hyperbolic diffeomorphism is topologically quasi-stable under $C^{0}$-perturbation. When $f$ has a uniformly compact $C^{1}$ center foliation, we also give partially hyperbolic diffeomorphism versions of some theorems which hold for uniformly hyperbolic systems, such as the Anosov closing lemma, the cloud lemma and the spectral decomposition theorem.
Energy dispersion in turbulent jets. Part 2. A robust model for unsteady jets
Authors: Craske John , van Reeuwijk Maarten
Published: December 2014

In this paper we develop an integral model for an unsteady turbulent jet that incorporates longitudinal dispersion of two distinct types. The model accounts for the difference in the rate at which momentum and energy are advected (type I dispersion) and for the local deformation of velocity profiles that occurs in the vicinity of a sudden change in the momentum flux (type II dispersion). We adapt the description of dispersion in pipe flow by Taylor (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A, vol. 219, 1953, pp. 186–203) to develop a dispersion closure for the longitudinal transportation of energy in unsteady jets. We compare our model’s predictions to results from direct numerical simulation and find a good agreement. The model described in this paper is robust and can be solved numerically using a simple central differencing scheme. Using the assumption that the longitudinal velocity profile in a jet has an approximately Gaussian form, we show that unsteady jets remain approximately straight-sided when their source area is fixed. Straight-sidedness provides an algebraic means of reducing the order of the governing equations and leads to a simple advection–dispersion relation. The physical process responsible for straight-sidedness is type I dispersion, which, in addition to determining the local response of the area of the jet, determines the growth rate of source perturbations. In this regard the Gaussian profile has the special feature of ensuring straight-sidedness and being insensitive to source perturbations. Profiles that are more peaked than the Gaussian profile attenuate perturbations and, following an increase (decrease) in the source momentum flux, lead to a local decrease (increase) in the area of the jet. Conversely, profiles that are flatter than the Gaussian amplify perturbations and lead to a local increase (decrease) in the area of the jet.
EMBEDDABILITY OF GENERALISED WREATH PRODUCTS
Authors: CAVE CHRIS , DREESEN DENNIS
Published: December 2014

Given two finitely generated groups that coarsely embed into a Hilbert space, it is known that their wreath product also embeds coarsely into a Hilbert space. We introduce a wreath product construction for general metric spaces $X,Y,Z$ and derive a condition, called the (${\it\delta}$-polynomial) path lifting property, such that coarse embeddability of $X,Y$ and $Z$ implies coarse embeddability of $X\wr _{Z}Y$. We also give bounds on the compression of $X\wr _{Z}Y$ in terms of ${\it\delta}$ and the compressions of $X,Y$ and $Z$.
CONTINUOUS ON RAYS SOLUTIONS OF A GOŁA̧B–SCHINZEL TYPE EQUATION
Authors: CHUDZIAK JACEK
Published: December 2014

We show that if the pair $(f,g)$ of functions mapping a linear space $X$ over the field $\mathbb{K}=\mathbb{R}\text{ or }\mathbb{C}$ into $\mathbb{K}$ satisfies the composite equation $$\begin{eqnarray}f(x+g(x)y)=f(x)f(y)\quad \text{for }x,y\in X\end{eqnarray}$$ and $f$ is nonconstant, then the continuity on rays of $f$ implies the same property for $g$. Applying this result, we determine the solutions of the equation.
INEQUITY ISSUES AND MOTHERS' PREGNANCY, DELIVERY AND EARLY-AGE SURVIVAL EXPERIENCES IN ENDE DISTRICT, INDONESIA
Authors: PARDOSI JERICO FRANCISCUS , PARR NICK , MUHIDIN SALUT
Published: December 2014

Indonesia's infant mortality rates are among the highest in South-East Asia, and there are substantial variations between its sub-national regions. This qualitative study aims to explore early mortality-related health service provision and gender inequity issues based on mothers' pregnancy, delivery and early-age survival experience in Ende district, Nusa Tenggara Timur province. Thirty-two mothers aged 18–45 years with at least one birth in the previous five years were interviewed in depth in May 2013. The results show most mothers have little knowledge about the danger signs for a child's illness. Mothers with early-age deaths generally did not know the cause of death. Very few mothers had received adequate information on maternal and child health during their antenatal and postnatal visits to the health facility. Some mothers expressed a preference for using a traditional birth attendant, because of their ready availability and the more extensive range of support services they provide, compared with local midwives. Unprofessional attitudes displayed by midwives were reported by several mothers. As elsewhere in Indonesia, the power of health decision-making lies with the husband. Policies aimed at elevating mothers' roles in health care decision-making are discussed as measures that would help to improve early-age survival outcomes. Widening the public health insurance distribution, especially among poorer mothers, and equalizing the geographical distribution of midwives and health facilities are recommended to tackle geographical inequities and to increase early-age survival in Ende district.
Effects of lignocaine on pressor response to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation during general anaesthesia in rigid suspension laryngoscopy
Authors: Kocamanoglu I S , Cengel Kurnaz S , Tur A
Published: December 2014

Objective:

This study aimed to compare the effects of topical and systemic lignocaine on the circulatory response to direct laryngoscopy performed under general anaesthesia.

Methods:

Ninety-nine patients over 20 years of age, with a physical status of I–II (classified according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists), were randomly allocated to 3 groups. One group received 5 ml of 0.9 per cent physiological saline intravenously, one group received 1.5 mg/kg lignocaine intravenously, and another group received seven puffs of 10 per cent lignocaine aerosol applied topically to the airway. Mean arterial pressures, heart rates and peripheral oxygen saturations were recorded, and changes in mean arterial pressure and heart rate ratios were calculated.

Results:

Changes in the ratios of mean arterial pressure and heart rate were greater in the saline physiological group than the other groups at 1 minute after intubation. Changes in the ratios of mean arterial pressure (at the same time point) were greater in the topical lignocaine group than in the intravenous lignocaine group, but this finding was not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

Lignocaine limited the haemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation during general anaesthesia in rigid suspension laryngoscopy.
Spatial and temporal changes in biomass, production and assemblage structure of mesozooplanktonic copepods in the tropical south-west Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Dias C.O. , Araujo A.V. , Vianna S.C. , Loureiro Fernandes L.F. , Paranhos R. , Suzuki M.S. , Bonecker S.L.C.
Published: December 2014

We examined the spatial and temporal variations of coastal and oceanic epipelagic copepods (rainy–dry seasons of 2009) in a tropical area of the south-west Atlantic. Zooplankton samples were obtained at 48 stations along six transects perpendicular to the coast, in the subsurface water between the 25 and 3000 m isobaths, by horizontal hauls using a Multinet. Abundance (42–64,753 ind. m−3), biomass (0.08–113 mg C m−3) and daily copepod production (0.17–163.20 mg C m−3 d−1) showed longitudinal and latitudinal variability. The highest values were observed over the southern continental shelf during the dry season. Temoridae, Undinula vulgaris and Paracalanus quasimodo dominated the biomass and daily copepod production during the rainy season; while Calanoides carinatus, Calanopia americana, Clausocalanidae, Temoridae, Paracalanidae and Subeucalanidae dominated during the dry season. The copepod assemblages formed four different groups: rainy season–continental shelf (1), dry season–continental shelf (2), rainy season–continental slope (3) and dry season–continental slope (4). Temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a and suspended particulate matter explained 45% of the productivity distribution of the dominant copepod species. This study is the first attempt to examine the biomass and daily copepod production in oceanic waters in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, and it showed that copepod biomass and production in a tropical region can be relatively high compared with other regions of the world's oceans.
Nests, arcs and cycles in the lifespan of a studio project
Authors: Slater Mark
Published: December 2014

Middlewood Sessions produced a kind of popular music that infuses the timbral aesthetics of jazz and orchestral music with the driving rhythms of dance music. This studio project, lasting for almost eight years, provided a rich resource for gaining insight into the increasingly prevalent context of the domestic project studio via a longitudinal case study approach. At the heart of this research is the desire to understand how people collaborate as part of a studio project, how people use technologies to make music and how all of this unfolds over time. To tackle the question of how to understand the shattered, scattered nature of creative practices, and in extending existing creativity research, I propose three ways of thinking about time: nests, arcs and cycles. While explicating this theoretical framework, something of the specific and idiographic nature of the case study, as an example of contemporary music production, is recounted.
Perceptions and experiences of epilepsy among patients from black ethnic groups in South London
Authors: Sonecha Shaneil , Noble Adam J. , Morgan Myfanwy , Ridsdale Leone
Published: December 2014

Objective

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence suggested black ethnic minorities with epilepsy have different cultural, communicative and health-care needs. However, little is known about these despite increasing migration of black African and Caribbean people to Europe. This study aims to explore perceptions and experiences of epilepsy among black African and Caribbean people in South London.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 11 participants, to examine their beliefs and perceptions of living with epilepsy. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, codes generated and thematic analysis undertaken.

Results

African participants described supernatural causes for epilepsy and experienced considerable stigma whereas Caribbean participants described epilepsy as a ‘normal illness’. However, both African and Caribbean participants experienced social restrictions arising from their epilepsy.

Conclusions

The findings of higher levels of perceived stigma and social restriction seen in African participants may be a continuation of beliefs reported in participants’ country of origin. There is also evidence that views regarding epilepsy transition through generations vary depending on place of birth.

Practical Implications

Health-care professionals need to be aware of and engage with the particular beliefs and concerns of black African and Caribbean people to achieve equity in health outcomes.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF TORSION SUBSCHEMES OF ABELIAN VARIETIES
Authors: Achter Jeffrey D.
Published: December 2014

We consider the distribution of $p$-power group schemes among the torsion of abelian varieties over finite fields of characteristic $p$, as follows. Fix natural numbers $g$ and $n$, and let ${\it\xi}$ be a non-supersingular principally quasipolarized Barsotti–Tate group of level $n$. We classify the $\mathbb{F}_{q}$-rational forms ${\it\xi}^{{\it\alpha}}$ of ${\it\xi}$. Among all principally polarized abelian varieties $X/\mathbb{F}_{q}$ of dimension $g$ with $X[p^{n}]_{\bar{\mathbb{F}}_{q}}\cong {\it\xi}_{\bar{\mathbb{F}}_{q}}$, we compute the frequency with which $X[p^{n}]\cong {\it\xi}^{{\it\alpha}}$. The error in our estimate is bounded by $D/\sqrt{q}$, where $D$ depends on $g$, $n$, and $p$, but not on ${\it\xi}$.
NEO-KANTIANISM AND GEORG SIMMEL'S INTERPRETATION OF KANT
Authors: PODOKSIK EFRAIM
Published: December 2014

This essay explores the development of Georg Simmel's interpretation of Immanuel Kant's philosophy in the context of neo-Kantianism and its preoccupation with the question of unity in modern diversity. It argues that the neo-Kantian movement can be divided into two periods: in the first, unity was addressed with regard to Kant's epistemology; in the second period, the main issue was the overall coherence of Kantian teaching. Simmel, who belonged to the younger generation of neo-Kantians, absorbed the conclusions of the previous generation that purged Kantian epistemology from its metaphysical foundations related to the noumenal world. Yet he did not share the views of his peers who considered Kant to be the philosopher of cultural plurality. On the contrary, he argued that Kant's system is thoroughly intellectualistic, and that ethics, aesthetics and religion within it are subordinated to logic. At the same time, his own philosophy presupposed cultural plurality akin to that of other neo-Kantians. In other words, Simmel abandoned Kant in order to develop his own version of neo-Kantianism.
Who gets targeted for vote-buying? Evidence from an augmented list experiment in Turkey
Authors: Çarkoğlu Alı , Aytaç S. Erdem
Published: December 2014

Understanding the dynamics of vote-buying is essential for improving accountability in elections in developing democracies. While list experiments are useful for attenuating social desirability bias associated with measuring vote-buying, they are not conducive to multivariate analyses, and the question of what types of individuals are targeted is left inadequately explored. We overcome this limitation by combining a population-based list experiment with an estimator (LISTIT) that allows for multivariate analyses in an efficient manner. Our analysis suggests that in the 2011 parliamentary elections in Turkey over one-third of the electorate was targeted for vote-buying, which is more than double the proportion willing to admit when asked directly. Additionally, we find that strong partisans of the ruling Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi), less-educated individuals, and urban residents are significantly more likely to be targeted for vote-buying. We present compelling evidence for the hypotheses that parties target their core supporters and socio-economically vulnerable individuals. The strength of our evidence derives from the use of original data on vote-buying that has been collected in an unobtrusive manner and analyzed at the level of individuals.
Dynamics in microbial communities: unraveling mechanisms to identify principles
Authors: Konopka Allan , Lindemann Stephen , Fredrickson Jim
Published: December 2014

Diversity begets higher-order properties such as functional stability and robustness in microbial communities, but principles that inform conceptual (and eventually predictive) models of community dynamics are lacking. Recent work has shown that selection as well as dispersal and drift shape communities, but the mechanistic bases for assembly of communities and the forces that maintain their function in the face of environmental perturbation are not well understood. Conceptually, some interactions among community members could generate endogenous dynamics in composition, even in the absence of environmental changes. These endogenous dynamics are further perturbed by exogenous forcing factors to produce a richer network of community interactions and it is this ‘system’ that is the basis for higher-order community properties. Elucidation of principles that follow from this conceptual model requires identifying the mechanisms that (a) optimize diversity within a community and (b) impart community stability. The network of interactions between organisms can be an important element by providing a buffer against disturbance beyond the effect of functional redundancy, as alternative pathways with different combinations of microbes can be recruited to fulfill specific functions.
Control of membrane gaps by synaptotagmin-Ca2+ measured with a novel membrane distance ruler
Authors: Lin Chao-Chen , Seikowski Jan , Pérez-Lara Angel , Jahn Reinhard , Höbartner Claudia , Walla Peter Jomo
Published: December 2014

Fast synchronous neurotransmitter release is triggered by calcium that activates synaptotagmin-1 (syt-1), resulting in fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. Syt-1 possesses two Ca2+-binding C2 domains that tether membranes via interactions with anionic phospholipids. It is capable of crosslinking membranes and has recently been speculated to trigger fusion by decreasing the gap between them. As quantitative information on membrane gaps is key to understanding general cellular mechanisms, including the role of syt-1, we developed a fluorescence-lifetime based inter-membrane distance ruler using membrane-anchored DNAs of various lengths as calibration standards. Wild-type and mutant data provide evidence that full-length syt-1 indeed regulates membrane gaps: without Ca2+, syt-1 maintains membranes at distances of ~7–8 nm. Activation with 100 μM Ca2+decreases the distance to ~5 nm by binding the C2 domains to opposing membranes, respectively. These values reveal that activated syt-1 adjusts membrane distances to the level that promotes SNARE complex assembly.
Infrared micro-spectroscopy for cyto-pathological classification of esophageal cells
Authors: Townsend Douglas , Miljković Miloš , Bird Benjamin , Lenau Kathleen , Old Oliver , Almond Max , Kendall Catherine , Lloyd Gavin , Shepherd Neil , Barr Hugh , Stone Nick , Diem Max
Published: December 2014

We report results from a study utilizing infrared spectral cytopathology (SCP) to detect abnormalities in exfoliated esophageal cells.
β-Cyclodextrin functionalised gold nanoclusters as luminescence probes for the ultrasensitive detection of dopamine
Authors: Ban Rui , Abdel-Halim E. S. , Zhang Jianrong , Zhu Jun-Jie
Published: December 2014

A novel luminescence probe based on mono-6-amino-β-cyclodextrin (NH2-β-CD) functionalised gold nanoclusters (β-CD-AuNC) was designed for dopamine (DA) detection.
Microwave assisted formation of monoreactive perfluoroalkylsilane-based self-assembled monolayers
Authors: Lee Austin W. H. , Pilapil Brandy K. , Ng Him Wai , Gates Byron D.
Published: December 2014

We demonstrate the use of microwave radiation as a tool to accelerate the formation of perfluoroalkylsilane based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on silicon oxide surfaces.
Compartment fabrication of magneto-responsive Janus microrod particles
Authors: Lee Su Yeon , Yang Shu
Published: December 2014

Monodispersed magneto-responsive microrod particles of variable magnetic/non-magnetic ratios and chemical compositions are created by compartment fabrication in a single poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) mold.
Surfactant-free Pd nanoparticles immobilized to a metal–organic framework with size- and location-dependent catalytic selectivity
Authors: Aijaz Arshad , Zhu Qi-Long , Tsumori Nobuko , Akita Tomoki , Xu Qiang
Published: December 2014

Pd nanoparticles immobilized to a metal–organic framework show size- and location-dependent catalytic activity and selectivity for vanillin reduction.
The first 2IB,3IA-heterodifunctionalized β-cyclodextrin derivatives as artificial enzymes
Authors: Letort S. , Mathiron D. , Grel T. , Albaret C. , Daulon S. , Djedaïni-Pilard F. , Gouhier G. , Estour F.
Published: December 2014

A scavenger, inspired by the nature's catalysts, improved the degradation of soman. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential by soman is decreased.
Ethylaluminum as an ethylene source for the Mizoroki–Heck-type reaction. Rhodium-catalyzed preparation of stilbene derivatives
Authors: Tanaka Shota , Itami Kazuki , Sunahara Kazuhiro , Tatsuta Go , Mori Atsunori
Published: December 2014

The ethyl group on aluminum serves as an ethylene source in Rh-catalyzed diarylethene synthesis.
Highly stable and sensitive LnMOF ratiometric thermometers constructed with mixed ligands
Authors: Wei Yongqin , Sa Rongjian , Li Qiaohong , Wu Kechen
Published: December 2014

By introducing ancillary ligands into M'LnMOFs and removing coordinated water molecules from the inner coordination sphere, we have successfully realized two types of highly stable and sensitive thermometers that in addition exhibit brilliant luminescence over a wide temperature range, providing a new strategy to explore luminescence-based M'LnMOF thermometers.
Properties of bacterial laccases and their application in bioremediation of industrial wastes
Authors: Chandra Ram , Chowdhary Pankaj
Published: December 2014

The bioremediation process of industrial waste can be made more efficient using ligninolytic laccase enzymes, which are obtained from fungi, bacteria, higher plants, insects, and also in lichen.
Mulberry and mulberry wine extract increase the number of mitochondria during brown adipogenesis
Authors: You Yilin , Yuan Xiaoxue , Lee Hyuek Jong , Huang Weidong , Jin Wanzhu , Zhan Jicheng
Published: December 2014

Mulberry extract (ME) has been shown to possess beneficial effects towards obesity, but its mechanism is still unclear.
A solid- and solution-phase-based library of 2β-methyl substituted penicillin derivatives and their effects on growth inhibition of tumor cell lines
Authors: Boggián Dora B. , Cornier Patricia G. , Mata Ernesto G. , Blank Viviana C. , Cárdenas Mariano G. , Roguin Leonor P.
Published: December 2014

We described the design, synthesis and antiproliferative properties of a series of twenty 2β-methyl substituted penicillin derivatives.
Mesoporous silica–chondroitin sulphate hybrid nanoparticles for targeted and bio-responsive drug delivery
Authors: Radhakrishnan Krishna , Tripathy Jasaswini , Datey Akshay , Chakravortty Dipshikha , Raichur Ashok M.
Published: December 2014

A polysaccharide based gatekeeper is attached to seal the nanopores of drug mesoporous silica nanoparticles, which facilitates uptake by cancer cells and undergoes intracellular degradation to initiate drug release.
Hydrogen photogeneration catalyzed by a cobalt complex of a pentadentate aminopyridine-based ligand
Authors: Song Xiaowei , Wen Huimin , Ma Chengbing , Chen Hui , Chen Changneng
Published: December 2014

The combination of a new cobalt complex with a cyclometalated iridium photosensitizer gives an efficient system for H2 evolution.
Spontaneous doping of two-dimensional NaCl films with Cr atoms: aggregation and electronic structure
Authors: Li Zhe , Chen Hsin-Yi Tiffany , Schouteden Koen , Janssens Ewald , Van Haesendonck Chris , Lievens Peter , Pacchioni Gianfranco
Published: December 2014

Upon deposition of Cr atoms on ultrathin NaCl/Au(111) films they form substituting dopants either replacing Na or Cl ions, thereby changing the electronic properties of the film and in particular the work function.
Differentiation of small alkane and alkyl halide constitutional isomers via encapsulation
Authors: Sullivan Matthew R. , Gibb Bruce C.
Published: December 2014

Previously we have demonstrated that host 1 is capable of hydrocarbon gas separation by selective sequestration of butane from a mixture with propane in the headspace above a solution of the host (C. L. D. Gibb, B. C. Gibb, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2006, 128, 16498–16499).
Ring-opening polymerization of ω-6-hexadecenlactone by a salicylaldiminato aluminum complex: a route to semicrystalline and functional poly(ester)s
Authors: Fuoco Tiziana , Meduri Angelo , Lamberti Marina , Venditto Vincenzo , Pellecchia Claudio , Pappalardo Daniela
Published: December 2014

The homo and co-polymerization of a large ring size lactone afforded unsaturated poly(esters), further modified to functional thermoplastic materials.
Ti5Si3/β-Ti nano-core–shell structure toughened glassy Ti alloy matrix biocomposites
Authors: Cui Chunxiang , Bai Ling , Liu Shuangjin , Qi Yumin , Zhao Lichen
Published: December 2014

In the experiment, Ti75Zr11Si9Fe5and Ti66Zr11Si15Fe5Mo3ingots were prepared by vacuum arc-melting furnace.
Assessment of pozzolanic activity of thermally activated clay and its impact on strength development in cement mortar
Authors: Amin Noor-ul- , Alam Sultan , gul Saeed
Published: December 2014

Natural kaolinitic clay from Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan was thermally activated at different temperatures and its pozzolanic behavior was studied.
Application of 2D-MoO3 nano-flakes in organic light emitting diodes: effect of semiconductor to metal transition with irradiation
Authors: Dagar Janardan , Tyagi Priyanka , Ahmad Razi , Singh Rashmi , Sinha O. P. , Suman C. K. , Srivastava Ritu
Published: December 2014

Current work demonstrates application of 2D molybdenum oxide nano-flakes as hole injection layer in organic light emitting diodes.
Development and complex characterization of bio-tribological Cr/CrN + a-C:H (doped Cr) nano-multilayer protective coatings for carbon–fiber-composite materials
Authors: Major L. , Janusz M. , Kot M. , Lackner J. M. , Major B.
Published: December 2014

Microstructure characterization of an as deposited coating; (a) image obtained using SEM; (b) image done by TEM technique in STEM mode. Microstructure characterization of the coating at the cross-section, done by TEM; (a) TEM BF image; (b) STEM image.
The controlled synthesis and improved electrochemical cyclability of Mn-doped α-Fe2O3hollow porous quadrangular prisms as lithium-ion battery anodes
Authors: Liu Xinru , Zhao Chenhao , Feng Fan , Yu Faqi , Kang Wenpei , Shen Qiang
Published: December 2014

The controlled synthesis of anode material Mn-doped α-Fe2O3hollow porous quadrangular prisms with an enhanced electrochemical cycling stability is reported.
Effect of alkyl-chain branching position on nanoscale morphology and performance of all-polymer solar cells
Authors: Liu Fangbin , Li Hui , Gu Chunling , Fu Hongbing
Published: December 2014

The improved performance of an all-polymer solar cell was attributed to the well-ordered structure of polymer C3 and nanoscale phase separation in a blend film of the polymer, which resulted from manipulating the alkyl-chain branching position of the polymer.
Enantioselective assembly of functionalized carbocyclic spirooxindoles using anl-proline derived thiourea organocatalyst
Authors: Reddy Gajulapalli V. Pratap , Vinayagam Poopathy , Kesavan Venkitasamy
Published: December 2014

Enantioselective sequential vinylogous Michael addition–cyclization reactions of vinyl malononitriles with isatylidene malononitrile were accomplished usingl-proline derived bifunctional thiourea.
Nitrogen-doped active carbon as a metal-free catalyst for acetylene hydrochlorination
Authors: Zhang Chunli , Kang Lihua , Zhu Mingyuan , Dai Bin
Published: December 2014

In this study, we report high catalytic activity for acetylene hydrochlorination by post-treatment of active carbon (AC) with polyaniline (PANI) followed by pyrolyzation at high temperature.
A polymer/clay nanocomposite gel via chlorinated paraffin solvent initiated photopolymerization with electrorheological performance
Authors: Ye Yuemei , Wang Qigang
Published: December 2014

This communication reports a mild preparation of a polymer/clay nanocomposite gel of chlorinated paraffin with an electrorheological response to an external direct-current voltage due to the alignment of the clay within the gel networks.
Experimental and computational exploration of the UV-visible properties of hexaniobate and hexatantalate ions
Authors: Deblonde Gauthier J.-P. , Moncomble Aurélien , Cote Gérard , Bélair Sarah , Chagnes Alexandre
Published: December 2014

The UV-visible properties of hexaniobate (HxNb6O19x−8) and hexatantalate (HxTa6O19x−8) ions were investigated experimentally and by DFT calculations.
A highly selective and sensitive turn-on fluorescent probe for the detection of holmium ion and its bioimaging
Authors: Guo Yanqing , Huo Fangjun , Yin Caixia , Kang Jin , Li JianFang
Published: December 2014

The phenolphthalein aldehyde was synthesized and used to a turn-on fluorescent probe for the detection of holmium ion (Ho3+) in HEPES : DMF = 1 : 1 (v/v pH = 7.4) solution with an excellent selectivity and sensitivity for Ho3+over other metal ions.
Silicalite-1/glass fibre substrates for enhancing the photocatalytic activity of TiO2
Authors: Ozkan F. T. , Quesada-Cabrera R. , Parkin I. P.
Published: December 2014

Silicalite-1 (S1) coatings were prepared on silica wool substrates by hydrothermal synthesis and subsequently immersed into a Ti-containing sol at a steady rate of 30 cm min−1.
NMR and TRLFS studies of Ln(iii) and An(iii) C5-BPP complexes
Authors: Adam Christian , Beele Björn B. , Geist Andreas , Müllich Udo , Kaden Peter , Panak Petra J.
Published: December 2014

NMR investigations of Am(C5-BPP)33+ show weak paramagnetism in Am(iii), indicating significant covalence in metal–ligand bonds with N-donor ligands. This may explain the observed extraction selectivity for actinides over lanthanides.
The flexibility–complementarity dichotomy in receptor–ligand interactions
Authors: Sun Hongmei , Hunter Christopher A. , Llamas Eva Marina
Published: December 2014

Binding affinity does not increase uniformly with preorganization, because there is a trade off between flexibility and fit.
Synergistically enhanced photoelectrochemical properties of a layer-by-layer hybrid film based on graphene oxide and a free terpyridyl-grafted ruthenium complex
Authors: Yang Wei , Zheng Ze-Bao , Meng Ting-Ting , Wang Ke-Zhi
Published: December 2014

An ultrathin film of graphene oxide with a Ru(ii) complex exhibited a significant photocurrent that is favorably compared to similar systems.
Effects of boron oxidation state on electrocatalytic activity of carbons synthesized from CO2
Authors: Byeon A. , Park Joonho , Baik Seoyeon , Jung Yousung , Lee Jae W.
Published: December 2014

Formation of oxidized boron atoms in the B–C bonding is responsible for the enhanced ORR activity of CO2 derived carbons.
High capacitive performance of exfoliated biochar nanosheets from biomass waste corn cob
Authors: Genovese Matthew , Jiang Junhua , Lian Keryn , Holm Nancy
Published: December 2014

High performance biochar carbon nanosheets for supercapacitors are synthesized from corn cob wasteviaa novel exfoliation approach.
Building sponge-like robust architectures of CNT–graphene–Si composites with enhanced rate and cycling performance for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Li Ge , Hassan Fathy M. , Li Matthew , Feng Kun , Xiao Xingcheng , Chen Zhongwei
Published: December 2014

High-performance robust CNT–graphene–Si composites are designed as anode materials with enhanced rate capability and excellent cycling stability for lithium-ion batteries. Such an improvement is mainly attributed to the robust sponge-like architecture, which holds great promise in future practical applications.
Efficient polymer solar cells based on a new benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene derivative with fluorinated alkoxyphenyl side chain
Authors: Chen Weichao , Du Zhengkun , Han Liangliang , Xiao Manjun , Shen Wenfei , Wang Ting , Zhou Yuanhang , Yang Renqiang
Published: December 2014

A polymer (PBDTPF-DTBT) was designed and synthesized, which exhibited high photovoltaic performance with PCE = 7.02%.
A one-pot route to the synthesis of alloyed Cu/Ag bimetallic nanoparticles with different mass ratios for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Wu Wei , Lei Mei , Yang Shuanglei , Zhou Li , Liu Li , Xiao Xiangheng , Jiang Changzhong , Roy Vellaisamy A. L.
Published: December 2014

Copper-based alloy nanoparticles (NPs) have recently triggered much research interest for the development of low-cost and high-performance bimetallic catalysts that have industrial applications.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage in the liver and kidney of rats following exposure to copper nanoparticles for five consecutive days
Authors: Lei Ronghui , Yang Baohua , Wu Chunqi , Liao Mingyang , Ding Rigao , Wang Quanjun
Published: December 2014

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage may be the initial events of copper nanoparticle (CuNP)-induced hepato and nephrotoxicity.
Oral Reading Fluency Measures and Accommodations for School-Age Students Who Stutter
Authors: Games Diane , Paul Diane , Reeves Nina
Published: December 2014

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Ad Hoc Committee on Oral Reading Fluency Measures in School-Aged Children who Stutter developed and disseminated a survey examining the types of evaluation tools used when measuring oral reading fluency, district policies for students who stutter, the use of accommodations for students who stutter, and the confusion of stuttering with oral reading fluency problems. This article summarizes the survey questions and the outcomes of this survey. The Ad Hoc Committee included members of three Special Interest Groups (SIGs): SIG 4, Fluency & Fluency Disorders; SIG 1, Language & Language Disorders; and SIG 16, School-Based Issues.
Standardization of Dysphagia Diet Terminology across the Lifespan: An International Perspective
Authors: Cichero Julie A.Y.
Published: December 2014

Dysphagia as a field is within its third decade. As part of the progress of any field, specialist terminology is developed to improve efficiencies of communication and remove ambiguity. The most commonly reported benefits of standardized terminology include improvements in patient safety, and enhanced inter and intra-professional communication. Indeed standardized terminology reaches further than clinical impact, providing research scientists with a common language for reporting research that will cyclically go on to have a clinical impact. Although there are many benefits to standardized terminology, there are also challenges and barriers. There are a number of areas where the field of dysphagia could benefit from standardized terminology. The focus of this paper is on one of the corner stones of dysphagia intervention, that of the language used to describe thickened liquids and texture modified foods. This paper outlines the benefits and challenges of standardization and describes the rationale for an international initiative to develop global definitions and terminology for texture modified foods and thickened liquids suitable across the age span, care settings, and cultures. Early involvement of all stakeholders and robust discussion is critical to the success of developing standardized terminology.
Channel estimation for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing uplinks in time‐varying channels
Authors: Yao Rugui , Liu Yinsheng , Li Geng , Xu Juan
Published: December 2014

This study deals with channel parameter based channel estimation in time‐varying channels for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing in an uplink transmission. By modelling the uplink channel properly, the time‐varying ‘channel response’ can be determined by estimating the corresponding ‘channel parameters’. A novel algorithm is proposed in this study to estimate the channel parameters by exploiting the time‐frequency‐representation of the time‐varying channel response. Moreover, a decision‐directed receiver structure is adopted to cancel the impact of residual Doppler shifts. Theoretical analysis on the performance is given as well. The optimum power allocation ratio of training signal power to data signal power is also discussed. Simulations are performed, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Construction of the Barut-Girardello type of coherent states for Pöschl-Teller potential
Authors: Zhang Hong-Biao , Jiang Guang-Yuan , Guo San-Xing
Published: December 2014

The Pöschl-Teller (PT) potential occupies a privileged place among the anharmonic oscillator potentials due to its applications from quantum mechanics to diatomic molecules. For this potential, a polynomial su(1, 1) algebra has been constructed previously. So far, the coherent states (CSs) associated with this algebra have never appeared. In this paper, we construct the coherent states of the Barut-Girardello coherent states (BG-CSs) type for the PT potentials, which have received less attention in the scientific literature. We obtain these CSs and demonstrate that they fulfil all conditions required by the coherent state. The Mandel parameter for the pure BG-CSs and Husimi’s and P-quasi distributions (for the mixed-thermal states) is also presented. Finally, the exponential form of the BG-CSs for the PT potential has been presented and enabled us to build Perelomov type CSs for the PT potential. We point out that the BG-CSs and the Perelomov type coherent states (PCSs) are related via Laplace transform.
Vibrational lifetimes of hydrogen on lead films: An ab initio molecular dynamics with electronic friction (AIMDEF) study
Authors: Saalfrank Peter , Juaristi J. I. , Alducin M. , Blanco-Rey M. , Muiño R. Díez
Published: December 2014

Using density functional theory and Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics with Electronic Friction (AIMDEF), we study the adsorption and dissipative vibrational dynamics of hydrogen atoms chemisorbed on free-standing lead films of increasing thickness. Lead films are known for their oscillatory behaviour of certain properties with increasing thickness, e.g., energy and electron spillout change in discontinuous manner, due to quantum size effects [G. Materzanini, P. Saalfrank, and P. J. D. Lindan, Phys. Rev. B 63, 235405 (2001)]. Here, we demonstrate that oscillatory features arise also for hydrogen when chemisorbed on lead films. Besides stationary properties of the adsorbate, we concentrate on finite vibrational lifetimes of H-surface vibrations. As shown by AIMDEF, the damping via vibration-electron hole pair coupling dominates clearly over the vibration-phonon channel, in particular for high-frequency modes. Vibrational relaxation times are a characteristic function of layer thickness due to the oscillating behaviour of the embedding surface electronic density. Implications derived from AIMDEF for frictional many-atom dynamics, and physisorbed species will also be given.
Orbital-free density functional theory implementation with the projector augmented-wave method
Authors: Lehtomäki Jouko , Makkonen Ilja , Caro Miguel A. , Harju Ari , Lopez-Acevedo Olga
Published: December 2014

We present a computational scheme for orbital-free density functional theory (OFDFT) that simultaneously provides access to all-electron values and preserves the OFDFT linear scaling as a function of the system size. Using the projector augmented-wave method (PAW) in combination with real-space methods, we overcome some obstacles faced by other available implementation schemes. Specifically, the advantages of using the PAW method are twofold. First, PAW reproduces all-electron values offering freedom in adjusting the convergence parameters and the atomic setups allow tuning the numerical accuracy per element. Second, PAW can provide a solution to some of the convergence problems exhibited in other OFDFT implementations based on Kohn-Sham (KS) codes. Using PAW and real-space methods, our orbital-free results agree with the reference all-electron values with a mean absolute error of 10 meV and the number of iterations required by the self-consistent cycle is comparable to the KS method. The comparison of all-electron and pseudopotential bulk modulus and lattice constant reveal an enormous difference, demonstrating that in order to assess the performance of OFDFT functionals it is necessary to use implementations that obtain all-electron values. The proposed combination of methods is the most promising route currently available. We finally show that a parametrized kinetic energy functional can give lattice constants and bulk moduli comparable in accuracy to those obtained by the KS PBE method, exemplified with the case of diamond.
Citrate synthase proteins in extremophilic organisms: Studies within a structure-based model
Authors: Różycki Bartosz , Cieplak Marek
Published: December 2014

We study four citrate synthase homodimeric proteins within a structure-based coarse-grained model. Two of these proteins come from thermophilic bacteria, one from a cryophilic bacterium and one from a mesophilic organism; three are in the closed and two in the open conformations. Even though the proteins belong to the same fold, the model distinguishes the properties of these proteins in a way which is consistent with experiments. For instance, the thermophilic proteins are more stable thermodynamically than their mesophilic and cryophilic homologues, which we observe both in the magnitude of thermal fluctuations near the native state and in the kinetics of thermal unfolding. The level of stability correlates with the average coordination number for amino acid contacts and with the degree of structural compactness. The pattern of positional fluctuations along the sequence in the closed conformation is different than in the open conformation, including within the active site. The modes of correlated and anticorrelated movements of pairs of amino acids forming the active site are very different in the open and closed conformations. Taken together, our results show that the precise location of amino acid contacts in the native structure appears to be a critical element in explaining the similarities and differences in the thermodynamic properties, local flexibility, and collective motions of the different forms of the enzyme.