bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New coronavirus outbreak. Lessons learned from the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic
Authors: ÁLVAREZ E. , DONADO-CAMPOS J. , MORILLA F.
Published: January 2015

System dynamics approach offers great potential for addressing how intervention policies can affect the spread of emerging infectious diseases in complex and highly networked systems. Here, we develop a model that explains the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) epidemic that occurred in Hong Kong in 2003. The dynamic model developed with system dynamics methodology included 23 variables (five states, four flows, eight auxiliary variables, six parameters), five differential equations and 12 algebraic equations. The parameters were optimized following an iterative process of simulation to fit the real data from the epidemics. Univariate and multivariate sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the reliability of the model. In addition, we discuss how further testing using this model can inform community interventions to reduce the risk in current and future outbreaks, such as the recently Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) epidemic.
Relationship between meteorological conditions and respiratory syncytial virus in a tropical country
Authors: RODRIGUEZ-MARTINEZ C. E. , SOSSA-BRICEÑO M. P. , ACUÑA-CORDERO R.
Published: January 2015

This study aimed to determine which meteorological conditions are associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) isolates in a population of children hospitalized with acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in Bogota, Colombia. In an analytical cross-sectional study, links were examined between the number of monthly RSV infections and monthly average climatic variation (temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind speed, solar radiation) between 1 January 2010 and 30 April 2011 in a population of hospitalized children aged <3 years with ALRI caused by RSV. Out of a total of 1548 children included in the study (mean age 9·2 ± 8·5 months), 1194 (77·1%) presented RSV infection during the 3-month period from March to May. In the multivariate analysis, after controlling for wind speed, relative humidity, and solar radiation, monthly average temperature [incident rate ratio (IRR) 3·14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·56–6·30,P= 0·001] and rainfall (IRR 1·008, 95% CI 1·00–1·01,P= 0·048) were independently associated with the monthly number of RSV infections. In conclusion, in Bogota, a tropical Latin American city, average temperature and rainfall are the meteorological variables most strongly associated with RSV isolation in children hospitalized with ALRI in the city.
Testing the impact of virus importation rates and future climate change on dengue activity in Malaysia using a mechanistic entomology and disease model
Authors: WILLIAMS C. R. , GILL B. S. , MINCHAM G. , MOHD ZAKI A. H. , ABDULLAH N. , MAHIYUDDIN W. R. W. , AHMAD R. , SHAHAR M. K. , HARLEY D. , VIENNET E. , AZIL A. , KAMALUDDIN A.
Published: January 2015

We aimed to reparameterize and validate an existing dengue model, comprising an entomological component (CIMSiM) and a disease component (DENSiM) for application in Malaysia. With the model we aimed to measure the effect of importation rate on dengue incidence, and to determine the potential impact of moderate climate change (a 1 °C temperature increase) on dengue activity. Dengue models (comprising CIMSiM and DENSiM) were reparameterized for a simulated Malaysian village of 10 000 people, and validated against monthly dengue case data from the district of Petaling Jaya in the state of Selangor. Simulations were also performed for 2008-2012 for variable virus importation rates (ranging from 1 to 25 per week) and dengue incidence determined. Dengue incidence in the period 2010–2012 was modelled, twice, with observed daily weather and with a 1 °C increase, the latter to simulate moderate climate change. Strong concordance between simulated and observed monthly dengue cases was observed (up to r = 0·72). There was a linear relationship between importation and incidence. However, a doubling of dengue importation did not equate to a doubling of dengue activity. The largest individual dengue outbreak was observed with the lowest dengue importation rate. Moderate climate change resulted in an overall decrease in dengue activity over a 3-year period, linked to high human seroprevalence early on in the simulation. Our results suggest that moderate reductions in importation with control programmes may not reduce the frequency of large outbreaks. Moderate increases in temperature do not necessarily lead to greater dengue incidence.
Moral Psychology and the Unity of Morality
Authors: QUIGLEY JAMES G.
Published: January 2015

Jonathan Haidt's research on moral cognition has revealed that political liberals moralize mostly in terms of Harm and Fairness, whereas conservatives moralize in terms of those plus loyalty to Ingroup, respect for Authority, and Purity (or IAP). Some have concluded that the norms of morality encompass a wide variety of subject matters with no deep unity. To the contrary, I argue that the conservative position is partially debunked by its own lights. IAP norms’ moral relevance depends on their tendency to promote welfare (especially to prevent harm). I argue that all moral agents, including conservatives, are committed to that claim at least implicitly. I then argue that an evolutionary account of moral cognition partially debunks the view that welfare-irrelevant IAP norms have moral force. Haidt's own normative commitments are harmonized by this view: IAP norms are more important than liberals often realize, yet morality is at bottom all about promoting welfare.
Cognitive benefits in children enrolled in an early bilingual immersion school: A follow up study
Authors: NICOLAY ANNE-CATHERINE , PONCELET MARTINE
Published: January 2015

Recent findings suggested that an L2-immersion school experience produced some of the cognitive benefits associated with early bilingualism. However, the cognitive differences observed might possibly be due to greater cognitive development in the immersion group before the children started the immersion program. The present study thus aimed at revisiting these results in a follow-up design in which children about to begin an L2-immersion program and monolinguals were matched for cognitive development. Our results support the previous findings and this longitudinal study strongly confirms that only 3 years in an L2-immersion program enhance the performance of the attentional/executive control network.
Students’ beliefs and behaviour regarding low-calorie beverages, sweets or snacks: are they affected by lessons on healthy food and by changes to school vending machines?
Authors: Kocken Paul L , van Kesteren Nicole MC , Buijs Goof , Snel Jeltje , Dusseldorp Elise
Published: January 2015

Objective

To study the effects of school lessons about healthy food on adolescents’ self-reported beliefs and behaviour regarding the purchase and consumption of soft drinks, water and extra foods, including sweets and snacks. The lessons were combined with the introduction of lower-calorie foods, food labelling and price reductions in school vending machines.

Design

A cluster-randomized controlled design was used to allocate schools to an experimental group (i.e. lessons and changes to school vending machines) and a control group (i.e. ‘care as usual’). Questionnaires were used pre-test and post-test to assess students’ self-reported purchase of extra products and their knowledge and beliefs regarding the consumption of low-calorie products.

Setting

Secondary schools in the Netherlands.

Subjects

Twelve schools participated in the experimental group (303 students) and fourteen in the control group (311 students). The students’ mean age was 13·6 years, 71·5 % were of native Dutch origin and mean BMI was 18·9 kg/m2.

Results

At post-test, the experimental group knew significantly more about healthy food than the control group. Fewer students in the experimental group (43 %) than in the control group (56 %) reported bringing soft drinks from home. There was no significant effect on attitude, social norm, perceived behavioural control and intention regarding the consumption of low-calorie extra products.

Conclusions

The intervention had limited effects on students’ knowledge and self-reported behaviour, and no effect on their beliefs regarding low-calorie beverages, sweets or snacks. We recommend a combined educational and environmental intervention of longer duration and engaging parents. More research into the effects of such interventions is needed.
Vitamin E and risk of age-related cataract: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Yufei , Jiang Wenjie , Xie Zhutian , Wu Wenlong , Zhang Dongfeng
Published: January 2015

Objective

We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between vitamin E and age-related cataract (ARC).

Design

The fixed- or random-effect model was selected based on heterogeneity. Meta-regression was used to explore potential sources of between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using Begg’s test. The dose–response relationship was assessed by a restricted cubic spline model.

Setting

Relevant studies were identified by a search of PubMed and the Cochrane Library to May 2014, without language restrictions.

Subjects

Studies involved samples of people of all ages.

Results

Dietary vitamin E intake, dietary and supplemental vitamin E intake, and high serum tocopherol levels were significantly associated with decreased risk of ARC, the pooled relative risk was 0·73 (95 % CI 0·58, 0·92), 0·86 (95 % CI 0·75, 0·99) and 0·77 (95 % CI 0·66, 0·91), respectively. Supplemental vitamin E intake was non-significantly associated with ARC risk (relative risk=0·92; 95 % CI 0·78, 1·07). The findings from dose–response analysis showed evidence of a non-linear association between dietary vitamin E intake and ARC. The risk of ARC decreased with dietary vitamin E intake from 7 mg/d (relative risk=0·94; 95 % CI 0·90, 0·97).

Conclusions

The findings of the meta-analysis indicated that dietary vitamin E intake, dietary and supplemental vitamin E intake, and high level of serum tocopherol might be significantly associated with reduced ARC risk.
CITIZENS OR FAITHFUL? RELIGION AND THE LIBERAL REVOLUTIONS OF THE 1820S IN SOUTHERN EUROPE
Authors: ISABELLA MAURIZIO
Published: January 2015

Historians of liberalism have tended to ignore or underplay the contribution of southern Europe. However, in the 1820s this part of the world was at the forefront of the struggle for liberal values. This essay explores the relationship between constitutional culture and religion during the liberal revolutionary wave that affected Portugal, Spain, the Italian peninsula and Greece, by examining parliamentary debates, the revolutionary press, literature targeting the masses, religious sermons and exile writings. It argues that rather than rejecting religion, liberals strove to find an accommodation between their values and revealed truth—they were convinced that no society could survive without religious morality. In this way, they developed a variety of religious attitudes that ranged from deism to forms of crypto-Protestantism without abandoning their established religions. At the same time, although they defended individual rights and freedom of expression against the opposition of the churches, and argued for reformed and enlightened forms of religiosity, most of them considered the religious uniformity of their societies advantageous and even opposed religious toleration.
THE SWANSONG OF THE MANDARINS: HUMBOLDT’S IDEA OF THE UNIVERSITY IN EARLY POST-WAR GERMANY
Authors: ÖSTLING JOHAN
Published: January 2015

In the wake of the Second World War, Germany saw an intensive debate about the idea of the university and its future role in society. All were agreed that the country's universities had to be revitalized after the ravages of Nazism, but the question was what weight should be given to the classical German heritage, and the Humboldtian tradition in particular. The mandarins, the older humanist scholars, dominated the public debate about the fundamental principles of research and higher education, and this essay focuses on the contribution made by three of them—Karl Jaspers, Gerhard Ritter, and Werner Richter. In making their points, they all revealed a strong historical orientation, but equally very different views on the Humboldtian legacy. This essay argues that their ideas about the German university must be seen against the background of the specific experiences of their generation. In the event, the immediate post-war period was the last time their academic ideals were to gain much of a hearing. The university debate proved to be the swansong for Germany's intellectual elite.
Information will be the key to successful implementation
Authors: Littlejohns Peter , Chalkidou Kalipso
Published: January 2015

Making Fair Choices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage[UHC; World Health Organization (WHO), 2014] is to be welcomed because tackling the relationship between cost-effectiveness and fairness has been given too little attention in policy-making. The consensus that universal coverage is a good thing quickly disperses as the concept is translated into working national policies and local delivery processes. As Weale (2014) and Rumbold and Wilson (2014) point out, seeking practical solutions can lead to the re-exploration of previous givens and result in unexpected ethical and philosophical consequences. While the basic premise underlying the discussion on the ethics of resource concurs with the view that equity is always at odds with efficiency, this is not inevitable as the authors of the report point out in their analysis – a view more fully explored by Culyer (2006). The present report is a welcome attempt to reconcile, as countries progress to UHC, ethical norms with the reality of setting priorities, involving what to pay for and under what circumstances.
IN GOOD COMPANY? ON HUME’S PRINCIPLE AND THE ASSIGNMENT OF NUMBERS TO INFINITE CONCEPTS
Authors: MANCOSU PAOLO
Published: January 2015

In a recent article (Mancosu, 2009), I have explored the historical, mathematical, and philosophical issues related to the new theory of numerosities. The theory of numerosities provides a context in which to assign ‘sizes’ to infinite sets of natural numbers in such a way as to preserve the part-whole principle, namely if a setAis properly included inBthen the numerosity ofAis strictly less than the numerosity ofB. Numerosity assignments differ from the standard assignment of size provided by Cantor’s cardinality assignments. In this paper I generalize some worries, raised by Richard Heck, emerging from the theory of numerosities to a line of thought resulting in what I call a ‘good company’ objection to Hume’s Principle (HP). The paper is centered around five main parts. The first (§3) takes a historical look at nineteenth-century attributions of equality of numbers in terms of one-one correlation and argues that there was no agreement as to how to extend such determinations to infinite sets of objects. This leads to the second part (§4) where I show that there are countably-infinite many abstraction principles that are ‘good’, in the sense that they share the same virtues of HP (or so I claim) and from which we can derive the axioms of second-order arithmetic. All the principles I present agree with HP in the assignment of numbers to finite concepts but diverge from it in the assignment of numbers to infinite concepts. The third part (§5) connects this material to a debate on Finite Hume’s Principle between Heck and MacBride. The fourth part (§6) states the ‘good company’ objection as a generalization of Heck’s objection to the analyticity of HP based on the theory of numerosities. In the same section I offer a taxonomy of possible neo-logicist responses to the ‘good company’ objection. Finally, §7 makes a foray into the relevance of this material for the issue of cross-sortal identifications for abstractions.
Epidemiological and clinical aspects will guide the neuroimaging research in bipolar disorder
Authors: Houenou J. , Perlini C. , Brambilla P.
Published: January 2015

Although neurobiological mechanisms of bipolar disorder (BD) are still unclear, neural models of the disease have recently been conceptualised thanks to neuroimaging. Indeed, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies investigating structural and functional connectivity between different areas of the brain suggest an altered prefrontal–limbic coupling leading to disrupted emotional processing in BD, including uncinate fasciculus, amygdala, parahippocampal cortex, cingulate cortex as well corpus callosum. Specifically, these models assume an altered prefrontal control over a hyperactivity of the subcortical limbic structures implicated in automatic emotional processing. This impaired mechanism may finally trigger emotional hyper-reactivity and mood episodes. In this review, we first summarised some key neuroimaging studies on BD. In the second part of the work, we focused on the heterogeneity of the available studies. This variability is partly due to methodological factors (i.e., small sample size) and differences among studies (i.e., MRI acquisition and post-processing analyses) and partly to the clinical heterogeneity of BD. We finally outlined how epidemiological studies should indicate which risk factors and clinical dimensions of BD are relevant to be studied with neuroimaging in order to reduce heterogeneity and go beyond diagnostic categories.
Porous coordination polymers with ubiquitous and biocompatible metals and a neutral bridging ligand
Authors: Noro Shin-ichiro , Mizutani Junya , Hijikata Yuh , Matsuda Ryotaro , Sato Hiroshi , Kitagawa Susumu , Sugimoto Kunihisa , Inubushi Yasutaka , Kubo Kazuya , Nakamura Takayoshi
Published: January 2015

The design of inexpensive and less toxic porous coordination polymers (PCPs) that show selective adsorption or high adsorption capacity is a critical issue in research on applicable porous materials. Although use of Group II magnesium(II) and calcium(II) ions as building blocks could provide cheaper materials and lead to enhanced biocompatibility, examples of magnesium(II) and calcium(II) PCPs are extremely limited compared with commonly used transition metal ones, because neutral bridging ligands have not been available for magnesium(II) and calcium(II) ions. Here we report a rationally designed neutral and charge-polarized bridging ligand as a new partner for magnesium(II) and calcium(II) ions. The three-dimensional magnesium(II) and calcium(II) PCPs synthesized using such a neutral ligand are stable and show selective adsorption and separation of carbon dioxide over methane at ambient temperature. This synthetic approach allows the structural diversification of Group II magnesium(II) and calcium(II) PCPs.
Capacitance-modulated transistor detects odorant binding protein chiral interactions
Authors: Mulla Mohammad Yusuf , Tuccori Elena , Magliulo Maria , Lattanzi Gianluca , Palazzo Gerardo , Persaud Krishna , Torsi Luisa
Published: January 2015

Peripheral events in olfaction involve odorant binding proteins (OBPs) whose role in the recognition of different volatile chemicals is yet unclear. Here we report on the sensitive and quantitative measurement of the weak interactions associated with neutral enantiomers differentially binding to OBPs immobilized through a self-assembled monolayer to the gate of an organic bio-electronic transistor. The transduction is remarkably sensitive as the transistor output current is governed by the small capacitance of the protein layer undergoing minute changes as the ligand–protein complex is formed. Accurate determination of the free-energy balances and of the capacitance changes associated with the binding process allows derivation of the free-energy components as well as of the occurrence of conformational events associated with OBP ligand binding. Capacitance-modulated transistors open a new pathway for the study of ultra-weak molecular interactions in surface-bound protein–ligand complexes through an approach that combines bio-chemical and electronic thermodynamic parameters.
Evolution and emergence of infectious diseases in theoretical and real-world networks
Authors: Leventhal Gabriel E. , Hill Alison L. , Nowak Martin A. , Bonhoeffer Sebastian
Published: January 2015

One of the most important advancements in theoretical epidemiology has been the development of methods that account for realistic host population structure. The central finding is that heterogeneity in contact networks, such as the presence of ‘superspreaders’, accelerates infectious disease spread in real epidemics. Disease control is also complicated by the continuous evolution of pathogens in response to changing environments and medical interventions. It remains unclear, however, how population structure influences these adaptive processes. Here we examine the evolution of infectious disease in empirical and theoretical networks. We show that the heterogeneity in contact structure, which facilitates the spread of a single disease, surprisingly renders a resident strain more resilient to invasion by new variants. Our results suggest that many host contact structures suppress invasion of new strains and may slow disease adaptation. These findings are important to the natural history of disease evolution and the spread of drug-resistant strains.
Tailoring of Energy Levels in D-π-A Organic Dyes via Fluorination of Acceptor Units for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Lee Min-Woo , Kim Jae-Yup , Son Hae Jung , Kim Jin Young , Kim BongSoo , Kim Honggon , Lee Doh-Kwon , Kim Kyungkon , Lee Duck-Hyung , Ko Min Jae
Published: January 2015

A molecular design is presented for tailoring the energy levels in D-π-A organic dyes through fluorination of their acceptor units, which is aimed at achieving efficient dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). This is achieved by exploiting the chemical structure of common D-π-A organic dyes and incorporating one or two fluorine atoms at the ortho-positions of the cyanoacetic acid as additional acceptor units. As the number of incorporated fluorine atoms increases, the LUMO energy level of the organic dye is gradually lowered due to the electron-withdrawing effect of fluorine, which ultimately results in a gradual reduction of the HOMO-LUMO energy gap and an improvement in the spectral response. Systematic investigation of the effects of incorporating fluorine on the photovoltaic properties of DSSCs reveals an upshift in the conduction-band potential of the TiO2 electrode during impedance analysis; however, the incorporation of fluorine also results in an increased electron recombination rate, leading to a decrease in the open-circuit voltage (Voc). Despite this limitation, the conversion efficiency is gradually enhanced as the number of incorporated fluorine atoms is increased, which is attributed to the highly improved spectral response and photocurrent.
Structural, optical and vibrational properties of self-assembled Pbn+1(Ti1−xFex)nO3n+1−δ Ruddlesden-Popper superstructures
Authors: Doig K. I. , Peters J. J. P. , Nawaz S. , Walker D. , Walker M. , Lees M. R. , Beanland R. , Sanchez A. M. , McConville C. F. , Palkar V. R. , Lloyd-Hughes J.
Published: January 2015

Bulk crystals and thin films of PbTi1−xFexO3−δ (PTFO) are multiferroic, exhibiting ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism at room temperature. Here we report that the Ruddlesden-Popper phase Pbn+1(Ti1−xFex)nO3n+1−δ forms spontaneously during pulsed laser deposition of PTFO on LaAlO3 substrates. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy were utilised to perform a structural and compositional analysis, demonstrating that "Equation missing" and "Equation missing". The complex dielectric function of the films was determined from far-infrared to ultraviolet energies using a combination of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, Fourier transform spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The simultaneous Raman and infrared activity of phonon modes and the observation of second harmonic generation establishes a non-centrosymmetric point group for Pbn+1(Ti0.5Fe0.5)nO3n+1−δ, a prerequisite for (but not proof of) ferroelectricity. No evidence of macroscopic ferromagnetism was found in SQUID magnetometry. The ultrafast optical response exhibited coherent magnon oscillations compatible with local magnetic order and additionally was used to study photocarrier cooling on picosecond timescales. An optical gap smaller than that of BiFeO3 and long photocarrier lifetimes may make this system interesting as a ferroelectric photovoltaic.
Extreme convergence in egg-laying strategy across insect orders
Authors: Goldberg Julia , Bresseel Joachim , Constant Jerome , Kneubühler Bruno , Leubner Fanny , Michalik Peter , Bradler Sven
Published: January 2015

The eggs of stick and leaf insects (Phasmatodea) bear strong resemblance to plant seeds and are commonly dispersed by females dropping them to the litter. Here we report a novel egg-deposition mode for Phasmatodea performed by an undescribed Vietnamese species of the enigmatic subfamily Korinninae that produces a complex egg case (ootheca), containing numerous eggs in a highly ordered arrangement. This novel egg-deposition mode is most reminiscent of egg cases produced by members of unrelated insect orders, e.g. by praying mantises (Mantodea) and tortoise beetles (Coleoptera: Cassidinae). Ootheca production constitutes a striking convergence and major transition in reproductive strategy among stick insects, viz. a shift from dispersal of individual eggs to elaborate egg concentration. Adaptive advantages of ootheca formation on arboreal substrate are likely related to protection against parasitoids and desiccation and to allocation of specific host plants. Our phylogenetic analysis of nuclear (28S, H3) and mitochondrial (COI, COII) genes recovered Korinninae as a subordinate taxon among the species-rich Necrosciinae withAscelesas sister taxon, thus suggesting that placement of single eggs on leaves by host plant specialists might be the evolutionary precursor of ootheca formation within stick insects.
Essential roles of leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 in the development of embryonic and postnatal cerebellum
Authors: Xie Ya-Jun , Zhou Liang , Jiang Nanwei , Zhang Nan , Zou Na , Zhou Lin , Wang Yin , Cowell John K. , Shen Ying
Published: January 2015

Leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) is a secreted protein that interacts with ADAM transmembrane proteins and its mutations are linked to human epilepsy. The function of LGI1 in CNS development remains undefined. Here, we report novel functions of LGI1 in the generation of cerebellar granule precursors (CGPs) and differentiation of radial glial cells (RGCs) in the cerebellum. A reduction in external granule layer thickness and defects in foliation were seen in embryonic and new-born LGI1 knockout (KO) mice. BrdU staining showed an inhibited proliferation of CGPs in KO embryos, which might be explained by the reduced Sonic hedgehog in embryos. In addition, the differentiation of RGCs into Bergmann glias was suppressed in KO mice. Enhanced Jagged1-Notch1 signaling in KO mice via reduced β-secretase proteolysis suggests that altered phenotype of RGCs is due to abnormal Notch1 signaling. Together, our results demonstrate that LGI1 is an essential player in the cerebellar development.
Local non-equilibrium thermodynamics
Authors: Jinwoo Lee , Tanaka Hajime
Published: January 2015

Local Shannon entropy lies at the heart of modern thermodynamics, with much discussion of trajectory-dependent entropy production. When taken at both boundaries of a process in phase space, it reproduces the second law of thermodynamics over a finite time interval for small scale systems. However, given that entropy is an ensemble property, it has never been clear how one can assign such a quantity locally. Given such a fundamental omission in our knowledge, we construct a new ensemble composed of trajectories reaching an individual microstate and show that locally defined entropy, information and free energy are properties of the ensemble, or trajectory-independent true thermodynamic potentials. We find that the Boltzmann-Gibbs distribution and Landauer's principle can be generalized naturally as properties of the ensemble and that trajectory-free state functions of the ensemble govern the exact mechanism of non-equilibrium relaxation.
Selective extraction of light polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental water samples with pseudo-template thin-film molecularly imprinted polymers
Authors: Egli Stefana N. , Butler Erika Dianne , Bottaro Christina S.
Published: January 2015

Fast, low-tech fabrication of thin-film MIPs. Toluene pseudo-template MIP to uptake PAHs in distilled water, seawater and wastewater.
Ratiometric fluorescent probe for Al3+ based on coumarin derivative in aqueous media
Authors: Qin Jing-can , Yang Zheng-yin
Published: January 2015

In this study, a novel ratiometric chemosensor for Al3+ (HL) which contains coumarin and naphthalene moieties has been designed and synthesized on the basis of the mechanism of internal charge transfer (ICT).
Quantitative analysis of photons' decaying pathways in Si nanowire arrays for highly efficient photoelectrochemical solar hydrogen generation
Authors: Duan Chunyang , Wang Hui , Zhang Bingchang , Li Fan , Ou Xuemei , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: January 2015

Quantitative investigation of decaying pathways of photon-excited SiNW array's exciton.
Synthetic, semisynthetic and natural analogues of peloruside A
Authors: Brackovic Amira , Harvey Joanne E.
Published: January 2015

Synthetic approaches to analogues of the potent anticancer natural product peloruside A and their cytotoxicities are reviewed for the first time.
Re-purposing bridging flocculation for on-site, rapid, qualitative DNA detection in resource-poor settings
Authors: Wee E. J. H. , Lau H. Y. , Botella J. R. , Trau M.
Published: January 2015

A novel DNA mediated bridging flocculation assay was developed for evaluating amplified DNA in low resource settings.
Regulating the piezofluorochromism of 9,10-bis(butoxystyryl)anthracenes by isomerization of butyl groups
Authors: Xiong Yao , Yan Xilong , Ma Yawen , Li Yang , Yin Guohui , Chen Ligong
Published: January 2015

Isomerization of alkyl chains can effectively regulate the piezofluorochromism of AIE-active 9,10-bis(alkoxystyryl)anthracenes.
Mode of iron(iii) chelation by hexadentate hydroxypyridinones
Authors: Zhou Tao , Hider Robert C. , Kong Xiaole
Published: January 2015

Tripodal hexadentate hydroxypyridin-4-ones are increasingly utilised as iron(iii) and gallium(iii) ligands, their attachment to proteins being particularly useful for positron emission tomography (PET). A tripodal ligand NTA(BuHP)3, which is reported to form 1 : 1 iron(iii) and gallium(iii) complexes in aqueous, media forms 2 : 2 complexes under physiological conditions.
A simple access to transition metal cyclopropenylidene complexes
Authors: Bidal Yannick D. , Lesieur Mathieu , Melaimi Mohand , Cordes David B. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Bertrand Guy , Cazin Catherine S. J.
Published: January 2015

The first example of a BAC–Cu complex, its outstanding catalytic activity in Click chemistry and its use as a carbene-transfer reagent to easily access Au-, Pd–, Ir– and Rh–BAC compounds are reported.
Dynamic spreading of a nanosized droplet on a solid in an electric field
Authors: Song F. H. , Li B. Q. , Li Y.
Published: January 2015

Molecular dynamic simulations are performed for the dynamic spreading of a nanosized water droplet subject to a parallel electric field.
The fundamental flaw of the HSAB principle is revealed by a complete speciation analysis of the [PtCl6−nBrn]2−(n = 0–6) system
Authors: Gerber W. J. , van Wyk P.-H. , van Niekerk D. M. E. , Koch K. R.
Published: January 2015

Bjerrum's model of step-wise ligand exchange is extended to compute a complete speciation diagram for the [PtCl6−nBrn]2−(n= 0–6) system including all 17 equilibrium constants concerning the PtIVchlorido–bromido exchange reaction network (HERN).
Structural and dynamical anomalies of soft particles interacting through harmonic repulsions
Authors: Ouyang Wenze , Sun Bin , Sun Zhiwei , Xu Shenghua
Published: January 2015

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are carried out to investigate the structural and dynamical anomalies in the core-softened fluid with harmonic repulsions.
The fine structure of Pearlman's catalyst
Authors: Albers Peter W. , Möbus Konrad , Wieland Stefan D. , Parker Stewart F.
Published: January 2015

Core–shell pearl: the composition of the supported crystallites of Pearlman's catalyst is core–shell rather than uniform Pd(OH)2/C.
High surface area La2Sn2O7 pyrochlore as a novel, active and stable support for Pd for CO oxidation
Authors: Tian Jinshu , Peng Honggen , Xu Xianglan , Liu Wenming , Ma Youhe , Wang Xiang , Yang Xiangjie
Published: January 2015

A mesoporous La2Sn2O7-HT pyrochlore with an unusually high surface area was successfully synthesized with a simple hydrothermal method at 200 °C. Due to its high surface area and the presence of more active oxygen species, Pd supported on this mesoporous La2Sn2O7-HT shows remarkable CO oxidation activity.
Influence of structural and electronic properties of organomolybdenum(ii) complexes of the type [CpMo(CO)3R] and [CpMo(O2)(O)R] (R = Cl, CH3, CF3) on the catalytic olefin epoxidation
Authors: Hauser Simone A. , Reich Robert M. , Mink János , Pöthig Alexander , Cokoja Mirza , Kühn Fritz E.
Published: January 2015

Six compounds of the type [CpMo(CO)3R] (R = Cl (1), CH3 (2), CF3 (3)) and [CpMo(O2)(O)R] (R = Cl (4), CH3 (5), CF3 (6) (Cp = η5-cyclopentadienyl)) have been synthesised and characterised.
Deliberate boxes and accidental wheels
Authors: Kaur Gurpreet , Polson Matthew I. J. , Hartshorn Richard M.
Published: January 2015

Box structures containing four ligands and four metal ions (two of each of two kinds) and labile ligands that point into the box cavity have been prepared – as well as decanickel wheels.
Enzyme and voltage stimuli-responsive controlled release system based on β-cyclodextrin-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles
Authors: Xiao Yu , Wang Tao , Cao Yu , Wang Xue , Zhang Ye , Liu Yunling , Huo Qisheng
Published: January 2015

This work demonstrated the development of a novel controlled release system, which is sensitive to enzyme and voltage stimuli, based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized by a ferrocene moiety with β-cyclodextrin as the nanovalve.
Determination of several fullerenes in sewage water by LC HR-MS using atmospheric pressure photoionisation
Authors: Emke E. , Sanchís J. , Farré M. , Bäuerlein P. S. , de Voogt P.
Published: January 2015

By using a normal phase column, this method is capable of unambiguously identifying and quantifying (functionalised) fullerenes in sewage water.
Atmospheric pitting corrosion of 304L stainless steel: the role of highly concentrated chloride solutions
Authors: Street Steven R. , Mi Na , Cook Angus J. M. C. , Mohammed-Ali Haval B. , Guo Liya , Rayment Trevor , Davenport Alison J.
Published: January 2015

The morphology of atmospheric pitting corrosion in 304L stainless steel plate was analysed using MgCl2 droplets in relation to changes in relative humidity (RH) and chloride deposition density (CDD). It was found that highly reproducible morphologies occur that are distinct at different RH. Pitting at higher concentrations, i.e. lower RH, resulted in satellite pits forming around the perimeter of wide shallow dish regions. At higher RH, these satellite pits did not form and instead spiral attack into the shallow region was observed. Increasing CDD at saturation resulted in a very broad-mouthed pitting attack within the shallow dish region. Large data sets were used to find trends in pit size and morphology in what is essentially a heterogeneous alloy. Electrochemical experiments on 304 stainless steel wires in highly saturated solutions showed that the passive current density increased significantly above 3 M MgCl2 and the breakdown pitting potential dropped as the concentration increased. It is proposed that the shallow dish regions grow via enhanced dissolution of the passive film, whereas satellite pits and a spiral attack take place with active dissolution of bare metal surfaces.
Soft-patchy nanoparticles: modeling and self-organization
Authors: Bianchi Emanuela , Capone Barbara , Kahl Gerhard , Likos Christos N.
Published: January 2015

We consider a novel class of patchy particles inspired by polymer-based complex units where the limited valence in bonding is accompanied by soft interactions and incessant fluctuations of the patch positions, possibly leading to reversible modifications of the patch number and size. We introduce a simple model that takes into account the aforementioned features and we focus on the role played by the patch flexibility on the self-organization of our patchy units in the bulk, with particular attention to the connectivity properties and the morphology of the aggregated networks.
Niobate salts of organic base catalyzed chemical fixation of carbon dioxide with epoxides to form cyclic carbonates
Authors: Chen Angjun , Chen Chen , Xiu Yuhe , Liu Xuerui , Chen Jizhong , Guo Li , Zhang Ran , Hou Zhenshan
Published: January 2015

Peroxoniobate salts of amidine and guanidine have been utilized as halogen-free catalysts for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO2 under solvent-free and halide-free conditions.
Determination of lead by atomic fluorescence spectrometry using an automated extraction/pre-concentration flow system
Authors: Beltrán B. , Leal L. O. , Ferrer L. , Cerdà V.
Published: January 2015

This new selective and sensitive system allows the automated on-line extraction/pre-concentration of lead by sorption on a microcolumn packed with Pb-resin using the lab-on-valve technique and HG-AFS as the detector system.
Compartmentalized calcium signaling triggers subpopulation formation upon platelet activation through PAR1
Authors: Sveshnikova Anastasia N. , Ataullakhanov Fazoil I. , Panteleev Mikhail A.
Published: January 2015

A computational model of PAR1-stimulated platelet calcium signaling is developed to analyze the formation of platelet subpopulations. This occurs via a mitochondria-dependent decision-making mechanism. This is a stochastic phenomenon caused by a small number of PARs.
Separation of CO2from CH4and CO2capture in the presence of water vapour in NOTT-400
Authors: Gonzalez Maximiliano R. , González-Estefan Juan H. , Lara-García Hugo A. , Sánchez-Camacho Pedro , Basaldella Elena I. , Pfeiffer Heriberto , Ibarra Ilich A.
Published: January 2015

NOTTS-400 exhibits CO2separation from CH4when the material was exposed to a binary (CO2/CH4) equimolar gas-mixture and this was confirmed byin situFTIR spectroscopy.
Weak hydrogen bonds in adducts between freons: the rotational study of CH2F2–CH2ClF
Authors: Spada Lorenzo , Gou Qian , Tang Shouyuan , Caminati Walther
Published: January 2015

The network of weak hydrogen bonds in CH2F2–CH2ClF suggests C–H⋯Cl–C to be preferred to C–H⋯F–C.
Correlation of structure and photovoltaic performance of benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene copolymers alternating with different acceptors
Authors: Yu Jiangsheng , Zhao Baofeng , Nie Xuemei , Zhou Baojin , Li Yang , Hai Jiefeng , Zhu Enwei , Bian Linyi , Wu Hongbin , Tang Weihua
Published: January 2015

The PBDTT–TTz/PC61BM (1 : 2) devices with PFN as the cathode interfacial layer delivered a power conversion efficiency of 2.60% for polymer solar cells.
Fast and ratiometric “naked eye” detection of hydrazine for both solid and vapour phase sensing
Authors: Goswami Shyamaprosad , Paul Sima , Manna Abhishek
Published: January 2015

A new ‘‘naked-eye’’ colorimetric and fluorometric chemodosimeter utilizes an irreversible and fast hydrazine-promoted cleavage of the ester linkage.
Sunlight-activated Eu2+/Dy3+ doped SrAl2O4 water resistant phosphorescent layer for optical displays and defence applications
Authors: Kumar Arun , Kedawat Garima , Kumar Pawan , Dwivedi Jaya , Gupta Bipin Kumar
Published: January 2015

Demonstration of a high brightness, strong green emitting, water resistant and flexible phosphorescent layer for display and defence applications.
Transition-metal-free C–H oxidative activation: persulfate-promoted selective benzylic mono- and difluorination
Authors: Ma Jing-jing , Yi Wen-bin , Lu Guo-ping , Cai Chun
Published: January 2015

An operationally simple and selective method for the direct conversion of benzylic C–H to C–F to obtain mono- and difluoromethylated arenes using Selectfluor™ as a fluorine source is developed.
Enantiopure synthesis of dihydrobenzo[1,4]-oxazine-3-carboxylic acids and a route to benzoxazinyl oxazolidinones
Authors: Malhotra Rajesh , Dey Tushar K. , Basu Sourav , Hajra Saumen
Published: January 2015

A two step protocol is developed for the enantiopure synthesis of dihydrobenzoxazine-3-carboxylic acids via RuPhos Palladacycle-catalyzed aminoarylation of β-(2-bromoaryloxy)amino acids.
A new multicomponent reaction: unexpected formation of derivatizable cyclic α-alkoxy isothioureas
Authors: Brockmeyer Fabian , Morosow Valentin , Martens Jürgen
Published: January 2015

With the aid of an unexpected new multicomponent reaction 2,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazole S-monoxides can be converted to cyclic α-alkoxy isothioureas. In addition, an observed rearrangement of subsequently acylated isothioureas is described.
In situ activation of benzyl alcohols with XtalFluor-E: formation of 1,1-diarylmethanes and 1,1,1-triarylmethanes through Friedel–Crafts benzylation
Authors: Desroches Justine , Champagne Pier Alexandre , Benhassine Yasmine , Paquin Jean-François
Published: January 2015

The Friedel–Crafts benzylation of arenes using benzyl alcohols activated in situ with XtalFluor-E is described. A wide range of 1,1-diarylmethanes and 1,1,1-triarylmethanes were prepared under simple and mild conditions, without the need for a transition metal or a strong Lewis acid.
A fast track strategy toward highly functionalized dendrimers with different structural layers: an “onion peel approach”
Authors: Sharma Rishi , Zhang Issan , Abbassi Leïla , Rej Rabindra , Maysinger Dusica , Roy René
Published: January 2015

A novel strategy is described for the rapid syntheses of polyhydroxylated dendrimers in which the layer by layer building blocks are different from one another. The resulting dendrimers showed no cytotoxicity.
Synthesis of well-defined α,ω-telechelic multiblock copolymers in aqueous medium: in situ generation of α,ω-diols
Authors: Simula Alexandre , Nikolaou Vasiliki , Anastasaki Athina , Alsubaie Fehaid , Nurumbetov Gabit , Wilson Paul , Kempe Kristian , Haddleton David M.
Published: January 2015

The synthesis of well-defined α,ω-dihydroxyl telechelic multiblock copolymers by sequential in situ chain extensions via aqueous Cu(0) mediated living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) is reported.
A highly selective fluorescent probe for fast detection of nitric oxide in aqueous solution
Authors: Huang Chang-Bo , Huang Junhai , Xu Lin
Published: January 2015

A naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe NPA exhibits fast detection rate for NO was synthesized.
Annealing-induced periodic patterns in solution grown polymer single crystals
Authors: Zhang Bin , Chen Jingbo , Zhang Hui , Baier Moritz C. , Mecking Stefan , Reiter Renate , Mülhaupt Rolf , Reiter Günter
Published: January 2015

Faceted polymer single crystals have been transformed into periodically branched patterns by applying a slow annealing procedure.
Amperometric sensing of urea using edge activated graphene nanoplatelets
Authors: Kumar Vanish , Chopra Aditi , Arora Shweta , Yadav Shriniwas , Kumar Suresh , Kaur Inderpreet
Published: January 2015

In this study, we demonstrate efficient amperometric sensing of urea using graphene nanoplatelets.
Periodic mesoporous organosilica with ionic-liquid framework supported manganese: an efficient and recyclable nanocatalyst for the unsymmetric Hantzsch reaction
Authors: Nasr-Esfahani M. , Elhamifar D. , Amadeh T. , Karimi B.
Published: January 2015

We have described the catalytic application of a manganese containing ionic liquid-based ordered mesoporous organosilica in the synthesis of polyhydroquinolines.
Enhancing the adsorption capacity of Sr2+ and Cs+ onto hexagonal tungsten oxide by doped niobium
Authors: Liu Bijun , Mu Wanjun , Xie Xiang , Li Xingliang , Wei Hongyuan , Tan Zhaoyi , Jian Yuan , Luo Shunzhong
Published: January 2015

The adsorption capacity of Sr2+ and Cs+ onto hexagonal tungsten oxide was enhanced by the incorporation of Nb.
Ultra-fast rate capability of a symmetric supercapacitor with a hierarchical Co3O4 nanowire/nanoflower hybrid structure in non-aqueous electrolyte
Authors: Padmanathan N. , Selladurai S. , Razeeb Kafil M.
Published: January 2015

A free standing Co3O4 nanowire/nanoflower hybrid structure on flexible carbon fibre cloth (CFC) was designed via a facile hydrothermal approach followed by thermal treatment in air.
Hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress activates NF-κB and Nrf2/Keap1 signals and triggers autophagy in piglets
Authors: Yin Jie , Duan Jielin , Cui Zhijie , Ren Wenkai , Li Tiejun , Yin Yulong
Published: January 2015

H2O2 induces autophagy and activates NF-κB and Nrf2/Keap1 signals in a piglet model.
A novel pH-responsive POSS-based nanoporous luminescent material derived from brominated distyrylpyridine and octavinylsilsesquioxane
Authors: Yang Wenyan , Jiang Xuesong , Liu Hongzhi
Published: January 2015

A novel porous material is prepared by octavinylsilsesquioxane and brominated distyrylpyridine via the Heck coupling reaction, which exhibits an excellent pH-responsive property in the pH range from 1 to 4.
Base-catalyzed synthesis of amides and imines via C–C and CC bond cleavage
Authors: Yadav Dilip Kumar T. , Bhanage Bhalchandra M.
Published: January 2015

A simple and efficient protocol has been developed for amides and imines synthesis from 1,3-dicarbonyls and α,β-unsaturated ketones respectively with N-arylureas in the presence of inexpensive and easily available KOH base under solvent free condition.
Hybrid nanoporous polystyrene derived from cubic octavinylsilsesquioxane and commercial polystyrene via the Friedel–Crafts reaction
Authors: Wu Yue , Li Liguo , Yang Wenyan , Feng Shengyu , Liu Hongzhi
Published: January 2015

A series of POSS-based nanoporous materials were prepared from commercial polystyrene and octavinylsilsesquioxane via the Friede–Crafts reaction.
Lipase-catalyzed green synthesis of enantiopure atenolol
Authors: Dwivedee Bharat Prasad , Ghosh Saptarshi , Bhaumik Jayeeta , Banoth Linga , Chand Banerjee Uttam
Published: January 2015

A new green route is proposed for the synthesis of enantiopure atenolol (a β1-blocker).
Construction of nanoparticles based on amphiphilic PEI–PA polymers for bortezomib and paclitaxel co-delivery
Authors: Zhang Ruirui , Liu Yinghua , Yang Zhiwei , Li Yunhao , Rong Xianghui , Wang Lin , Guo Chujun , Li Sheng , Liu Junxing , Li Mingjun , Wu Yan
Published: January 2015

Polymer nanoparticles based on branched polyethyleneimine and palmitic acid conjugates were fabricated for bortezomib and paclitaxel co-delivery.
Biomass derived β-cyclodextrin-SO3H as a solid acid catalyst for esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols
Authors: Thombal Raju S. , Jadhav Amol R. , Jadhav Vrushali H.
Published: January 2015

A novel b-cyclodextrin-SO3H carbon based solid acid catalyst was prepared and proved highly efficient in solvent free esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols. The catalyst was easily recovered and reused without any impact on the yields.
Molecular effects of encapsulation of glucose oxidase dimer by graphene
Authors: Ghoshdastider Umesh , Wu Rongliang , Trzaskowski Bartosz , Mlynarczyk Krzysztof , Miszta Przemyslaw , Gurusaran Manickam , Viswanathan Sowmya , Renugopalakrishnan Venkatesan , Filipek Slawomir
Published: January 2015

A box-like shape of graphene leads to different types of “sandwich” or “burrito” encapsulation of the enzyme. To preserve the critical interactions in the enzyme active site a proper balance of forces between protein and graphene is required.