bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal and physicochemical technologies used in hospital incineration fly ash utilization before landfill in Poland
Authors: Sobiecka Elzbieta
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Utilization and safety storage of hazardous waste like hospital incineration fly ash is an important ecological problem. In Poland the dominant process of waste storage is landfill. The characteristics of the raw waste as well as their transformation products after various utilization processes is very important to minimize the environmental impact.

RESULTS

The research presented compares product stabilization obtained using two investigated technologies: thermal plasma treatment in a vitrification process, and solidification with Portland cement as the binder in hydration and granulation processes. The leachability of six heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cd, Cr), indicated in the Council Decision 2003/33/EC as the main parameters influencing the environment, were studied.

CONCLUSION

The most stable products were vitrificates – immobilization exceeded 90%. The immobilization of heavy metals in solidified waste using Portland cement in a hydrated process were estimated at between 60 and 90%. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Synchronous prostate and rectal adenocarcinomas irradiation utilising volumetric modulated arc therapy
Authors: Ng Sweet Ping , Tran Thu , Moloney Philip , Sale Charlotte , Mathlum Maitham , Ong Grace , Lynch Rod
Published: October 2015

Cases of synchronous prostate and colorectal adenocarcinomas have been sporadically reported. There are case reports on patients with synchronous prostate and rectal cancers treated with external beam radiotherapy alone or combined with high‐dose rate brachytherapy boost to the prostate. Here, we illustrate a patient with synchronous prostate and rectal cancers treated using the volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) technique. The patient was treated with radical radiotherapy to 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions to the pelvis, incorporating the involved internal iliac node and the prostate. A boost of 24 Gy in 12 fractions was delivered to the prostate only, using VMAT. Treatment‐related toxicities and follow‐up prostate‐specific antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen were collected for data analysis. At 12 months, the patient achieved complete response for both rectal and prostate cancers without significant treatment‐related toxicities.
Zebrafish models of major depressive disorders
Authors: Fonseka Trehani M. , Wen Xiao‐Yan , Foster Jane A. , Kennedy Sidney H.
Published: October 2015

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a model species for translational research in various neuroscience areas, including depressive disorders. Because of their physiological (neuroanatomical, neuroendocrine, neurochemical) and genetic homology to mammals, robust phenotypes, and value in high‐throughput genetic and chemical genetic screens, zebrafish are ideal for developing valid experimental models of major depression and discovering novel therapeutics. Behavioral testing approaches, such as approach–avoidance, cognitive, and social paradigms, are available in zebrafish and have utility in identifying depression‐like indices in zebrafish in response to physiological, genetic, environmental, and/or psychopharmacological alterations. In addition, the high sensitivity of zebrafish to commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs supports the use of this model as an invaluable tool for pharmacological research and drug screening. This Review outlines the benefits of using the zebrafish model for depression studies and summarizes the current research in this field. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wildfire Effects on Suspended Sediment Delivery Quantified Using Fallout Radionuclide Tracers in a Mediterranean Catchment
Authors: Estrany Joan , López‐Tarazón José A. , Smith Hugh G.
Published: October 2015

Over short and long timescales, wildfires can be an important cause of hydrological and geomorphological change. Mediterranean rivers are part of a fire‐prone and high‐energy environment in which the timing of major storms in relation to fire influences the impact on fluvial systems; accordingly, the identification of major sources, stores and fluxes of sediments is essential for providing more effective post‐fire management strategies. In this study, caesium‐137 and excess lead‐210 were used as tracers to quantify the proportional contributions of fine sediment from hillslope surface and channel bank sources to suspended sediment and channel bed deposits before the impact of a forest wildfire in Na Borges, a Mediterranean groundwater‐dominated river. It also compared burnt and unburnt spatial sources of sediment within a single catchment and the extent to which burnt material was transported downstream. The study focused on two small and steep sub‐catchments, where just one of the catchments was partially affected by a wildfire. The pre‐fire dynamics indicated that surface soils were the main sediment source in these ephemeral creeks. Post‐fire sediment dynamics were characterised by a single flood event with a short recurrence interval (i.e. return period ca. <1 year). Sediment generated from the burnt area contributed 12% on average to bed‐stored sediments within the burnt catchment, which reduced downstream to 5% along the main channel of the Na Borges River. The findings demonstrate the potential for using fallout radionuclide tracers to understand the wider impacts of wildfires on fluvial environments located outside of the burn area. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low complexity M‐PPM impulse‐radio ultra wideband over fiber system for wireless sensor networks applications
Authors: Perez‐Ramos A. E. , Villarreal‐Reyes S. , Lepers C. , Arvizu A. , Muller M. , Abib G. I.
Published: October 2015

Ultra wideband over fiber (UWBoF) systems have been proposed to extend wireless range and to interconnect stand‐alone UWB networks. These systems have focused on high‐data‐rate applications. However, UWB will be a key enabler for low‐data‐rate wireless sensor network (WSN) deployments. In this letter, a low‐cost and low‐complexity M‐ary pulse position modulation (PPM) impulse radio (IR)‐UWBoF system designed for WSNs applications is proposed. A spectral line‐suppressive convolutional code is used to achieve spectral line suppression in the power spectral density (PSD). Experimental results show that the system does not distort or add spectral lines to the IR‐UWB signal PSD transmitted over 30 km of a single‐mode fiber, thus demonstrating its feasibility to interconnect WSN deployments. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Streambeds merit recognition as a scientific discipline
Authors: Constantz Jim
Published: October 2015

Streambeds are generally viewed as simply sediments beneath streams, sediments topping alluvial aquifers, or sediments housing aquatic life, rather than as distinct geographic features comparable to soils and surficial geologic materials within watersheds. Streambeds should be viewed as akin to soils. Specifically, soils are often described as surficial sediments created largely by atmospheric weathering of underlying geologic parent material. Similarly, streambeds should be described as submerged sediments created largely by streamflow modification of underlying geologic parent material. Streambeds are overdue for recognition as their own scientific discipline alongside numerous other well‐recognized disciplines within watersheds. The point is stated that hyporheic zones are regularly considered comparable to streambeds, but this is as misguided as equating unsaturated zones to soils. Streambeds and soils are physical geographic features of relatively constant volume, while hyporheic and unsaturated zones are hydrologic features of varying volume. This opinion piece suggests Streambed Science as the proposed discipline, requiring well‐designed protocols to physically characterize streambeds and develop streambed taxonomy for suitable recognition. WIREs Water 2016, 3:13–18. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1119

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Methods
The Language of George Orwell
Authors: Fowler Roger
Published: October 2015

George Orwell is well known for his strong views on language, society and politics, and admired for the robust, personal tone of his writings. The Language of George Orwell, the first detailed study of his style, demonstrates his stylistic versatility, and analyzes the linguistic techniques which create a variety of memorable effects in his novels and other prose works. Roger Fowler is a leading exponent of linguistic criticism, the method of analysis employed in this book.
Genetic Counselors’ Experiences Regarding Communication of Reproductive Risks with Autosomal Recessive Conditions found on Cancer Panels
Authors: Mets Sarah , Tryon Rebecca , Veach Patricia McCarthy , Zierhut Heather A.
Published: October 2015

The development of hereditary cancer genetic testing panels has altered genetic counseling practice. Mutations within certain genes on cancer panels pose not only a cancer risk, but also a reproductive risk for autosomal recessive conditions such as Fanconi anemia, constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome, and ataxia telangiectasia. This study aimed to determine if genetic counselors discuss reproductive risks for autosomal recessive conditions associated with genes included on cancer panels, and if so, under what circumstances these risks are discussed. An on‐line survey was emailed through the NSGC list‐serv. The survey assessed 189 cancer genetic counselors' experiences discussing reproductive risks with patients at risk to carry a mutation or variant of uncertain significance (VUS) in a gene associated with both an autosomal dominant cancer risk and an autosomal recessive syndrome. Over half (n = 82, 55 %) reported having discussed reproductive risks; the remainder (n = 66, 45 %) had not. Genetic counselors who reported discussing reproductive risks primarily did so when patients had a positive result and were of reproductive age. Reasons for not discussing these risks included when a patient had completed childbearing or when a VUS was identified. Most counselors discussed reproductive risk after obtaining results and not during the informed consent process. There is inconsistency as to if and when the discussion of reproductive risks is taking place. The wide variation in responses suggests a need to develop professional guidelines for when and how discussions of reproductive risk for autosomal recessive conditions identified through cancer panels should occur with patients.
Using the Scanning Fluid Dynamic Gauging Device to Understand the Cleaning of Baked Lard Soiling Layers
Authors: Ali Akin , Alam Zayeed , Ward Glenn , Wilson D. Ian
Published: October 2015

Extended or repeated heating of food fats promotes polymerisation reactions that produce difficult‐to‐remove soil layers. Cleaning of these baked‐on/burnt‐on fat deposits was investigated using model layers generated by baking lard on 316 stainless steel discs. Rigorous characterisation of the layer material was difficult, as it was insoluble in most solvents. Cleaning was studied using the scanning fluid dynamic gauging technique developed by Gordon et al. (Meas Sci Technol 21:85–103, 2010), which provides non‐contact in situ measurement of layer thickness at several sites on a sample in real time. Tests at 50 C with alkali (sodium hydroxide, pH 10.4–11) and three surfactant solutions indicated two removal mechanisms, related to the (1) roll‐up and (2) dispersion mechanisms reported for oily oils, namely (1) penetration of solvent at the soil–liquid interface, resulting in detachment of the soil layer as a coherent film, observed with linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LAS) and Triton X‐100 and aqueous sodium hydroxide at pH 10.4–11; and (2) the breakdown promoted by the agent penetrating through the layer, observed with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), in which CTAB antagonised the cleaning action of LAS.
Inspire me to donate: The use of strength emotion in donation appeals
Authors: Liang Jianping , Chen Zengxiang , Lei Jing
Published: October 2015

Previous research has shown that the use of negative emotions such as sadness in donation appeals can make people empathetic towards the donation target, increasing their tendency to donate (the “empathy‐helping” hypothesis). In this research we propose an “inspiration‐helping” hypothesis, and find that the positive emotion of strength can inspire people to donate. We show that combining the positive emotion of strength and the negative emotion of sadness is more effective as a means of persuading people to donate than the sadness‐dominating or the strength‐dominating emotion.
Relationships among Venericardia (Bivalvia: Carditidae) on the U.S. Coastal Plain during the Paleogene
Authors: McClure Kate J. , Lockwood Rowan
Published: October 2015

Despite the abundance and diversity of Venericardia bivalves on the U.S. Coastal Plain during the Paleogene, the evolutionary relationships within the genus remain unresolved. The primary objectives of this study were to reconstruct a phylogeny of Venericardia species, identify major clades within the genus, and determine whether groupings within traditional venericard classifications constitute monophyletic taxa. Fifty-one conchological characters were applied to 18 venericard and two outgroup species. Parsimony analysis produced three equally parsimonious trees and robustness was assessed through Bremer support and bootstrap values. The resultant trees indicate that the smooth-ribbed planicostate venericards are monophyletic, whereas the sharp-ribbed alticostate venericards are paraphyletic. Additionally, the original planicostate subtaxon, Venericor, is monophyletic whereas the original alticostate subtaxa, Claibornicardia, Glyptoactis, and Rotundicardia, are nonmonophyletic.
Return to Ibn Khaldun—Again
Authors: Dale Stephen Frederic
Published: October 2015

These three books, written by sociologist Syed Farid Alatas and historian Allen James Fromherz, represent the continued academic fascination with the Muqaddimah, the work of the North African Arab Muslim historical theorist Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406). The Muqaddimah has been the subject of an entire library of articles and books since it was first published and translated in Europe in the mid-nineteenth century. Written mainly by Westerners and Western-educated Middle Easterners, most of these publications have studied one or another aspect of Ibn Khaldun's dialectical model of tribal state formation, which constitutes the intellectual core of the Muqaddimah. Many authors of these works have also noticed and commented on the similarity of Ibn Khaldun's historical model to Western sociological theory. Relatively few scholars have written about Ibn Khaldun himself. Most but not all of these scholars agree that Ibn Khaldun was a brilliantly original intellectual, but many express different views about the genesis and nature of his ideas and their significance. Alatas and Fromherz provide two contrasting studies. Alatas's two books are closely related sequential studies, devoted to explaining Ibn Khaldun's model and relating it to the social sciences. Fromherz's work is biographical, although he also discusses Ibn Khaldun's theories. Both authors make significant contributions to the understanding of the man and his ideas, while also implicitly demonstrating why Ibn Khaldun and the Muqaddimah will continue to be subjects of research and controversy.
COMING TO TERMS WITH THE PAST: REWRITING HISTORY THROUGH A THERAPEUTIC PUBLIC DISCOURSE IN TURKEY
Authors: Kaya Duygu Gül
Published: October 2015

This article examines the growing interest in questions of memory, trauma, and justice in Turkey, with a special focus on the notion of “coming to terms with the past.” Through an analysis of key academic and popular texts published between 2002 and 2013, it argues that “coming to terms with the past” is a therapeutic public discourse that rewrites national history through the temporality of trauma. In other words, this discourse reconfigures the sequence of past, present, and future as the beginning, development, and end of a case of collective trauma, applying the psychotherapeutic terminology of victimhood, healing, and forgiveness to social realities. The article offers new perspective on existing debates over “coming to terms with the past” by analyzing the limits of this therapeutic discourse and by exploring the potential and open-endedness of the politics of memory in Turkey.
The Mythical Interface of Turkish Intellectuals' Orientation toward the Armenian Genocide
Authors: Gürsel Burcu
Published: October 2015

Still prefaced in many commentaries as a taboo, the topic of the genocide in Turkey has ironically become a talking pointde rigueurfor anyone who is visible in the public sphere and who lays claims to an identity as an intellectual. “Anyone,” then, will momentarily serve as the working definition of the intellectual, for all intents and purposes, in this inquiry into the grammar among Turkish and Armenian intellectuals both within and outside Turkey. The litany of self-proclaimedfirstsin addressing the topic of genocide in any given genre in Turkey is better understood in the light of Barthes' notion of the “inflexion” in myth. Such vocabulary of self-advertisement, of being a historic “first,” creates a curious hierarchy when it comes to the all-important topic of a foundational and denied genocide: it is not that the intellectual brings herself to the service of the topic, but that the topic serves up to the rejuvenation of the intellectual's prominence and controversial value in the public sphere. The emphasis is not on the quality, characteristics, or commitments of the works in question, but on the fact of the intellectual being a “first,” and thus, implicitly, a mythical figure above critical inquiry.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in a highly endemic area of Brazil
Authors: OLIVEIRA R. C. , SANT'ANA M. M. , GUTERRES A. , FERNANDES J. , HILLESHEIM N. L. F. K. , LUCINI C. , GOMES R. , LAMAS C. , BOCHNER R. , ZECCER S. , DE LEMOS E. R. S.
Published: October 2015

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is the most frequently reported fatal rodent-borne disease in Brazil, with the majority of cases occurring in Santa Catarina. We analysed the clinical, laboratory and epidemiological data of the 251 confirmed cases of HPS in Santa Catarina in 1999–2011. The number of cases ranged from 10 to 47 per year, with the highest incidences in 2004–2006. Gastrointestinal tract manifestations were found in >60% of the cases, potentially confounding diagnosis and leading to inappropriate therapy. Dyspnoea, acute respiratory failure, renal failure, increased serum creatinine and urea levels, increased haematocrits and the presence of pulmonary interstitial infiltrate were significantly more common in HPS patients who died. In addition, we demonstrated that the six cases from the midwest region of the state were associated with Juquitiba virus genotype. The case-fatality rate in this region, 19·2%, was lower than that recorded for other mesoregions. In the multivariate analysis increase of serum creatinine and urea was associated with death by HPS. Our findings help elucidate the epidemiology of HPS in Brazil, where mast seeding of bamboo can trigger rodent population eruptions and subsequent human HPS outbreaks. We also emphasize the need for molecular confirmation of the hantavirus genotype of human cases for a better understanding of the mortality-related factors associated with HPS cases in Brazil.
Die häufigsten akuten gastrointestinalen Infektionen
Authors: Greuter Thomas , Magdeburg Bernhard
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Akute gastrointestinale Infektionen mit ihrer Hauptmanifestation des Brechdurchfalls sind ein in der ambulanten Medizin häufig anzutreffendes Krankheitsbild. Der meist selbstlimitierende Verlauf bedingt, dass auf eine ätiologische Abklärung häufig verzichtet werden kann. Virale Infektionen, hauptsächlich ausgelöst durch Noro- und Rotaviren stellen die grösste Gruppe dar, während bakterielle Infektionen aufgrund der guten Hygieneverhältnisse in entwickelten Ländern erst in zweiter Linie anzutreffen sind. Hauptvertreter hierbei sind der Campylobacter sowie Salmonellen. Im Spitalsetting und inbesondere nach vorgängiger antibiotischer Therapie muss an eine Infektion durch Clostridium difficile gedacht und der Erreger aktiv gesucht werden. Ein Spezialfall stellt die Diarrhö auf Reisen dar, wobei diese meist durch enterovirulente E. coli ausgelöst wird. In der vorliegenden Zusammenstellung werden die wichtigsten Erreger im Einzelnen beschrieben.
Dengue Fever Epidemics Linked with El Niño, Study Says
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: October 2015

High temperatures associated with the recurring global climate pattern foster mosquito-friendly conditions that may accelerate transmission of the virus.
Real time unsupervised learning of visual stimuli in neuromorphic VLSI systems
Authors: Giulioni Massimiliano , Corradi Federico , Dante Vittorio , del Giudice Paolo
Published: October 2015

Neuromorphic chips embody computational principles operating in the nervous system, into microelectronic devices. In this domain it is important to identify computational primitives that theory and experiments suggest as generic and reusable cognitive elements. One such element is provided by attractor dynamics in recurrent networks. Point attractors are equilibrium states of the dynamics (up to fluctuations), determined by the synaptic structure of the network; a ‘basin’ of attraction comprises all initial states leading to a given attractor upon relaxation, hence making attractor dynamics suitable to implement robust associative memory. The initial network state is dictated by the stimulus and relaxation to the attractor state implements the retrieval of the corresponding memorized prototypical pattern. In a previous work we demonstrated that a neuromorphic recurrent network of spiking neurons and suitably chosen, fixed synapses supports attractor dynamics. Here we focus on learning: activating on-chip synaptic plasticity and using a theory-driven strategy for choosing network parameters, we show that autonomous learning, following repeated presentation of simple visual stimuli, shapes a synaptic connectivity supporting stimulus-selective attractors. Associative memory develops on chip as the result of the coupled stimulus-driven neural activity and ensuing synaptic dynamics, with no artificial separation between learning and retrieval phases.
Electrochemical scaffold generates localized, low concentration of hydrogen peroxide that inhibits bacterial pathogens and biofilms
Authors: Sultana Sujala T. , Atci Erhan , Babauta Jerome T. , Mohamed Falghoush Azeza , Snekvik Kevin R. , Call Douglas R. , Beyenal Haluk
Published: October 2015

We hypothesized that low concentrations of H2O2 could be generated through the electrochemical conversion of oxygen by applying an electric potential to a conductive scaffold and produce a low, but constant, concentration of H2O2 that would be sufficient to destroy biofilms. To test our hypothesis we used a multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strain, because this species is often implicated in difficult-to-treat biofilm infections. We used conductive carbon fabric as the scaffold material (“e-scaffold”). In vitro experiments demonstrated the production of a maximum constant concentration of ~25 μM H2O2 near the e-scaffold surface. An e-scaffold was overlaid onto an existing A. baumannii biofilm and within 24 h there was a ~4-log reduction in viable bacteria with an ~80% decrease in biofilm surface coverage. A similar procedure was used to overlay an e-scaffold onto an existing A. baumannii biofilm that was grown on a porcine explant. After 24 h, there was a ~3-log reduction in viable bacteria from the infected porcine explants with no observable damage to the underlying mammalian tissue based on a viability assay and histology. This research establishes a novel foundation for an alternative antibiotic-free wound dressing to eliminate biofilms.
Efficient amplification of self-gelling polypod-like structured DNA by rolling circle amplification and enzymatic digestion
Authors: Yata Tomoya , Takahashi Yuki , Tan Mengmeng , Hidaka Kumi , Sugiyama Hiroshi , Endo Masayuki , Takakura Yoshinobu , Nishikawa Makiya
Published: October 2015

The application of DNA as a functional material such as DNA hydrogel has attracted much attention. Despite an increasing interest, the high cost of DNA synthesis is a limiting factor for its utilization. To reduce the cost, we report here a highly efficient amplification technique for polypod-like structured DNA (polypodna) with adhesive ends that spontaneously forms DNA hydrogel. Two types of polypodna with three (tripodna) and four (tetrapodna) pods were selected and a template oligodeoxynucleotide, containing a tandem sequence of a looped tripodna or tetrapodna, respectively, along with restriction enzyme (TspRI) sites, was designed. The template was circularized using T4 DNA ligase and amplified by rolling circle amplification (RCA). The RCA product was highly viscous and resistant to restriction digestion. Observation under an electron microscope revealed microflower-like structures. These structures were composed of long DNA and magnesium pyrophosphate and their treatment with EDTA followed by restriction digestion with TspRI resulted in numerous copies of polypodna with adhesive ends, which formed a DNA hydrogel. Thus, we believe this technique provides a new approach to produce DNA nanostructures and helps in expanding their practical applications.
Controllable degradation kinetics of POSS nanoparticle-integrated poly(ε-caprolactone urea)urethane elastomers for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Yildirimer Lara , Buanz Asma , Gaisford Simon , Malins Edward L. , Remzi Becer C. , Moiemen Naiem , Reynolds Gary M. , Seifalian Alexander M.
Published: October 2015

Biodegradable elastomers are a popular choice for tissue engineering scaffolds, particularly in mechanically challenging settings (e.g. the skin). As the optimal rate of scaffold degradation depends on the tissue type to be regenerated, next-generation scaffolds must demonstrate tuneable degradation patterns. Previous investigations mainly focussed on the integration of more or less hydrolysable components to modulate degradation rates. In this study, however, the objective was to develop and synthesize a family of novel biodegradable polyurethanes (PUs) based on a poly(ε-caprolactone urea)urethane backbone integrating polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS-PCLU) with varying amounts of hard segments (24%, 28% and 33% (w/v)) in order to investigate the influence of hard segment chemistry on the degradation rate and profile. PUs lacking POSS nanoparticles served to prove the important function of POSS in maintaining the mechanical structures of the PU scaffolds before, during and after degradation. Mechanical testing of degraded samples revealed hard segment-dependent modulation of the materials’ viscoelastic properties, which was attributable to (i) degradation-induced changes in the PU crystallinity and (ii) either the presence or absence of POSS. In conclusion, this study presents a facile method of controlling degradation profiles of PU scaffolds used in tissue engineering applications.
First-Principles Determination of Ultralow Thermal Conductivity of monolayer WSe2
Authors: Zhou Wu-Xing , Chen Ke-Qiu
Published: October 2015

By using first-principles calculations combined with the phonon Boltzmann transport equation, we systematically investigate the phonon transport of monolayer WSe2. Compared with other 2D materials, the monolayer WSe2 is found to have an ultralow thermal conductivity due to the ultralow Debye frequency and heavy atom mass. The room temperature thermal conductivity for a typical sample size of 1 μm is 3.935  W/m K, which is one order of magnitude lower than that of MoS2. And the room temperature thermal conductivity can be further decreased by about 95% in 10 nm sized samples. Moreover, we also find the ZA phonons have the dominant contribution to the thermal conductivity and the relative contribution is almost 80% at room temperature, which is remarkably higher than that for monolayer MoS2. This is because the ZA phonons have longer lifetime than that of LA and TA phonons in monolayer WSe2.
The no-SCAR (Scarless Cas9 Assisted Recombineering) system for genome editing in Escherichia coli
Authors: Reisch Chris R. , Prather Kristala L. J.
Published: October 2015

Genome engineering methods in E. coli allow for easy to perform manipulations of the chromosome in vivo with the assistance of the λ-Red recombinase system. These methods generally rely on the insertion of an antibiotic resistance cassette followed by removal of the same cassette, resulting in a two-step procedure for genomic manipulations. Here we describe a method and plasmid system that can edit the genome of E. coli without chromosomal markers. This system, known as Scarless Cas9 Assisted Recombineering (no-SCAR), uses λ-Red to facilitate genomic integration of donor DNA and double stranded DNA cleavage by Cas9 to counterselect against wild-type cells. We show that point mutations, gene deletions and short sequence insertions were efficiently performed in several genomic loci in a single-step with regards to the chromosome and did not leave behind scar sites. The single-guide RNA encoding plasmid can be easily cured due to its temperature sensitive origin of replication, allowing for iterative chromosomal manipulations of the same strain, as is often required in metabolic engineering. In addition, we demonstrate the ability to efficiently cure the second plasmid in the system by targeting with Cas9, leaving the cells plasmid-free.
Trapping toxins within lipid droplets is a resistance mechanism in fungi
Authors: Chang Wenqiang , Zhang Ming , Zheng Sha , Li Ying , Li Xiaobin , Li Wei , Li Gang , Lin Zhaomin , Xie Zhiyu , Zhao Zuntian , Lou Hongxiang
Published: October 2015

Lipid droplets (LDs) act as intracellular storage organelles in most types of cells and are principally involved in energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism. However, the role of LDs in resistance to toxins in fungi remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the trapping of endogenous toxins by LDs is a self-resistance mechanism in the toxin producer, while absorbing external lipophilic toxins is a resistance mechanism in the toxin recipient that acts to quench the production of reactive oxygen species. We found that an endolichenic fungus that generates phototoxic perylenequinones (PQs) trapped the PQs inside LDs. Using a model that incorporates the fungicidal action of hypocrellin A (HA), a PQ derivative, we showed that yeast cells escaped killing by trapping toxins inside LDs. Furthermore, LD-deficient mutants were hypersusceptible to HA-mediated phototoxins and other fungicides. Our study identified a previously unrecognised function of LDs in fungi that has implications for our understanding of environmental adaptation strategies for fungi and antifungal drug discovery.
On-chip Extraction of Intracellular Molecules in White Blood Cells from Whole Blood
Authors: Choi Jongchan , Hyun Ji-chul , Yang Sung
Published: October 2015

The extraction of virological markers in white blood cells (WBCs) from whole blood—without reagents, electricity, or instruments—is the most important first step for diagnostic testing of infectious diseases in resource-limited settings. Here we develop an integrated microfluidic chip that continuously separates WBCs from whole blood and mechanically ruptures them to extract intracellular proteins and nucleic acids for diagnostic purposes. The integrated chip is assembled with a device that separates WBCs by using differences in blood cell size and a mechanical cell lysis chip with ultra-sharp nanoblade arrays. We demonstrate the performance of the integrated device by quantitatively analyzing the levels of extracted intracellular proteins and genomic DNAs. Our results show that compared with a conventional method, the device yields 120% higher level of total protein amount and similar levels of gDNA (90.3%). To demonstrate its clinical application to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnostics, the developed chip was used to process blood samples containing HIV-infected cells. Based on PCR results, we demonstrate that the chip can extract HIV proviral DNAs from infected cells with a population as low as 102/μl. These findings suggest that the developed device has potential application in point-of-care testing for infectious diseases in developing countries.
Starch: State-of-the-Art, New Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Visakh P. M.
Published: October 2015

The chapter presents a brief account of various topics in starch-based blends, composites and nanocomposites, including structure–property relationships, preparation and characterization of starch nanocrystals, natural fibre-reinforced thermoplastic starch composites, applications of starch nanocrystal-based blends, composites and nanocomposites, chemically modified thermoplastic starches, outstanding features of starch-based hydrogel nanocomposites, fracture and failure of starch-based composites, application of starch-based nanocomposites in the food industry and effects of additives on the properties of starch.
Outstanding Features of Starch-based Hydrogel Nanocomposites
Authors: Pereira Antonio G. B. , Fajardo André R. , Valente Artur J. M. , Rubira Adley F. , Muniz Edvani C.
Published: October 2015

Starch-based hydrogel nanocomposites are a very important issue in both academic and industrial fields owing to their availability, renewable sources, chemical structure and potential applications in several technologies. In the light of this, the incorporation of submicron- or nano-sized materials into starch-based hydrogel formulations has been explored as a very attractive strategy to improve properties and applications. This chapter is devoted to recent aspects of the development of starch-based hydrogel nanocomposites focused on the formulation of functional materials with enhanced properties for more suitable applications in different fields. The main aspects discussed are those based on structure–property relationships and also specific functionalities for a given application. Further comprehensive studies will broaden the understanding of structure–property relationships. Some future trends are highlighted – breakthroughs are necessary for improving the boundaries of knowledge of the materials science field.
Multiscale peak detection in wavelet space
Authors: Zhang Zhi-Min , Tong Xia , Peng Ying , Ma Pan , Zhang Ming-Jin , Lu Hong-Mei , Chen Xiao-Qing , Liang Yi-Zeng
Published: October 2015

Multi-scale peak detection (MSPD) for analytical instruments is presented by taking full advantage of additional information in wavelet space including ridges, valleys, and zero-crossings.
Electric field-mediated growth of osteoblasts – the significant impact of dynamic flow of medium
Authors: Kumar A. , Nune K. C. , Misra R. D. K.
Published: October 2015

The endogenous electric field can be modified using the external electric field to induce changes in cell functionality. Given that the cells grow in contact with the dynamic flow of blood, present work reports the efficacy of media flow on the function of osteoblast in the presence of external electric field,in vitro.
H2O–CH4and H2S–CH4complexes: a direct comparison through molecular beam experiments and ab initio calculations
Authors: Cappelletti David , Bartocci Alessio , Frati Federica , Roncaratti Luiz F. , Belpassi Leonardo , Tarantelli Francesco , Lakshmi Prabha Aiswarya , Arunan Elangannan , Pirani Fernando
Published: October 2015

Electron density redistribution upon the formation of the water–methane complex arises from polarisation and charge transfer effects.
Interfacial band alignment for photocatalytic charge separation in TiO2nanotube arrays coated with CuPt nanoparticles
Authors: Farsinezhad Samira , Sharma Himani , Shankar Karthik
Published: October 2015

The band-alignment at heterojunctions formed by photodepositing CuPt nanoparticles on anatase-phase TiO2nanotubes is of the Schottky type and significantly different from heterojunctions where the CuPt nanoparticles are coated on the nanotubes by sputtering.
Precision chemical heating for diagnostic devices
Authors: Buser J. R. , Diesburg S. , Singleton J. , Guelig D. , Bishop J. D. , Zentner C. , Burton R. , LaBarre P. , Yager P. , Weigl B. H.
Published: October 2015

A complete design strategy for electricity-free heaters compatible with isothermal nucleic acid amplification is described.
Correction: Conformational features of 4-(N)-squalenoyl-gemcitabine in solution: a combined NMR and molecular dynamics investigation
Authors: Ceruti Maurizio , Rocco Flavio , Di Pietro Maria Enrica , Tocci Elena , De Luca Giuseppina
Published: October 2015

Correction for ‘Conformational features of 4-(N)-squalenoyl-gemcitabine in solution: a combined NMR and molecular dynamics investigation’ by Ceruti Maurizio et al., New J. Chem., 2015, 39, 3484–3496.
Facile synthesis of Ag/AgCl/BiPO4 plasmonic photocatalyst with significantly enhanced visible photocatalytic activity and high stability
Authors: Shan Pandi , Niu Chenggang , Huang Dawei , Zeng Guangming , Zhang Huan
Published: October 2015

Highly efficient Ag/AgCl/BiPO4 plasmonic photocatalyst was synthesized for the first time. The catalyst showed excellent visible photocatalytic activity and high stability. A surface plasmon resonance mechanism was investigated.
Universal screening platform using three-dimensional small molecule microarray based on surface plasmon resonance imaging
Authors: Singh Vikramjeet , Nand Amita , Sarita Sarita
Published: October 2015

Herein we report a potent methodology for drug screening on a three-dimensional (3D) surface using a carbene based photo-cross-linking reaction.
Synthesis of a gemini quaternary ammonium salt and its reaction with wool fabric using click chemistry
Authors: Tian Weicheng , Hu Yi , Wang Wei , Yu Dan
Published: October 2015

In this study, we have successfully synthesized a gemini quaternary ammonium salt C24H38O4N2Br2 and applied it to wool fabric to obtain antibacterial properties.
High brightness turquoise light-emitting diodes based on ZnO microwires
Authors: Wang Dengkui , Wang Fei , Zhao Bin , Wang Yunpeng , Zhao Dongxu
Published: October 2015

ZnO microwire clusters with green emission have been fabricated and the luminescence mechanism and relationship of the point defect and emission were studied. A turquoise ZnO microwire/n-GaN heterojunction LED with an electroluminescence wavelength of 490 nm was constructed.
A redox stimuli-responsive superparamagnetic nanogel with chemically anchored DOX for enhanced anticancer efficacy and low systemic adverse effects
Authors: Chen Lidi , Xue Yanan , Xia Xiaoyang , Song Meifang , Huang Juan , Zhang Han , Yu Bo , Long Sihui , Liu Yanping , Liu Lei , Huang Shiwen , Yu Faquan
Published: October 2015

DOX anchored via disulfide onto alginate coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles promised high efficacy with low systemic adverse effects.
Molecular design of host materials for high power efficiency in blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes doped with an imidazole ligand based triplet emitter
Authors: Oh Chan Seok , Lee Jun Yeob , Noh Chang Ho , Kim Sung Han
Published: October 2015

Molecular design strategy to improve the power efficiency of blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes was proposed by introducing a CN modified carbazole moiety.
The expression and activity of thioredoxin reductase 1 splice variants v1 and v2 regulate the expression of genes associated with differentiation and adhesion
Authors: Nalvarte Ivan , Damdimopoulos Anastasios E. , Rüegg Joëlle , Spyrou Giannis
Published: October 2015

The mammalian redox-active selenoprotein thioredoxin reductase (TrxR1) is a main player in redox homoeostasis. It transfers electrons from NADPH to a large variety of substrates, particularly to those containing redox-active cysteines. Previously, we reported that the classical form of cytosolic TrxR1 (TXNRD1_v1), when overexpressed in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293), prompted the cells to undergo differentiation [Nalvarte et al. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 54510–54517]. In the present study, we show that several genes associated with differentiation and adhesion are differentially expressed in HEK-293 cells stably overexpressing TXNRD1_v1 compared with cells expressing its splice variant TXNRD1_v2. Overexpression of these two splice forms resulted in distinctive effects on various aspects of cellular functions including gene regulation patterns, alteration of growth rate, migration and morphology and susceptibility to selenium-induced toxicity. Furthermore, differentiation of the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y induced by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) increased both TXNRD1_v1 and TXNRD1_v2 expressions along with several of the identified genes associated with differentiation and adhesion. Selenium supplementation in the SH-SY5Y cells also induced a differentiated morphology and changed expression of the adhesion protein fibronectin 1 and the differentiation marker cadherin 11, as well as different temporal expression of the studied TXNRD1 variants. These data suggest that both TXNRD1_v1 and TXNRD1_v2 have distinct roles in differentiation, possibly by altering the expression of the genes associated with differentiation, and further emphasize the importance in distinguishing each unique action of different TrxR1 splice forms, especially when studying the gene silencing or knockout of TrxR1.
Phosphodiesterase 1 regulation is a key mechanism in vascular aging
Authors: Niño Paula K. Bautista , Durik Matej , Danser A.H. Jan , de Vries René , Musterd-Bhaggoe Usha M. , Meima Marcel E. , Kavousi Maryam , Ghanbari Mohsen , Hoeijmakers Jan H. , O'Donnell Christopher J. , Franceschini Nora , Janssen Ger M.J. , De Mey Jo G.R. , Liu Yiwen , Shanahan Catherine M. , Franco Oscar H. , Dehghan Abbas , Roks Anton J.M.
Published: October 2015

Reduced nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signalling is observed in age-related vascular disease. We hypothesize that this disturbed signalling involves effects of genomic instability, a primary causal factor in aging, on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and that the underlying mechanism plays a role in human age-related vascular disease. To test our hypothesis, we combined experiments in mice with genomic instability resulting from the defective nucleotide excision repair gene ERCC1 (Ercc1d/− mice), human VSMC cultures and population genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Aortic rings of Ercc1d/− mice showed 43% reduced responses to the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Inhibition of phosphodiesterase (PDE) 1 and 5 normalized SNP-relaxing effects in Ercc1d/− to wild-type (WT) levels. PDE1C levels were increased in lung and aorta. cGMP hydrolysis by PDE in lungs was higher in Ercc1d/− mice. No differences in activity or levels of cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 or sGC were observed in Ercc1d/− mice compared with WT. Senescent human VSMC showed elevated PDE1A and PDE1C and PDE5 mRNA levels (11.6-, 9- and 2.3-fold respectively), which associated with markers of cellular senescence. Conversely, PDE1 inhibition lowered expression of these markers. Human genetic studies revealed significant associations of PDE1A single nucleotide polymorphisms with diastolic blood pressure (DBP; β=0.28, P=2.47×10−5) and carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT; β=−0.0061, P=2.89×10−5). In summary, these results show that genomic instability and cellular senescence in VSMCs increase PDE1 expression. This might play a role in aging-related loss of vasodilator function, VSMC senescence, increased blood pressure and vascular hypertrophy.
Terahertz radar cross‐section characterisation using laser feedback interferometry with quantum cascade laser
Authors: Lui H.S. , Taimre T. , Bertling K. , Lim Y.L. , Dean P. , Khanna S.P. , Lachab M. , Valavanis A. , Indjin D. , Linfield E.H. , Davies A.G. , Rakić A.D.
Published: October 2015

Radar cross‐section (RCS) measurements of complex, large objects are usually performed on scale models so that the measurement is carried out in a well‐controlled environment. The feasibility of RCS measurement using a terahertz (THz) quantum cascade laser (QCL) via laser feedback interferometry is explored. Numerical simulations show that the RCS information embedded in the nonlinear interferometric signals obtained from simple targets can be retrieved through numerical fitting of the well‐known excess phase equation. The method is validated experimentally using a THz QCL and the results are well matched with those obtained from numerical simulations.
Event‐triggered Kalman consensus filter over sensor networks
Authors: Li Wenling , Jia Yingmin , Du Junping
Published: October 2015

Kalman consensus filter (KCF) has been developed for distributed state estimation over sensor networks where local estimates are exchanged with time‐triggered transmission mechanism. To reduce the amount of data transfer in sensor networks, the authors propose a KCF with an event‐triggered communication protocol. The triggering decision is based on the send‐on‐delta data transmission mechanism: each sensor transmits its local estimates to its neighbours only if the difference between the most recent transmitted estimate and the current estimate exceeds a tolerable threshold. On the basis of the event‐triggered communication protocol, an optimal Kalman gain matrix is derived by minimising the mean squared errors for each sensor and a suboptimal KCF is developed for scalable considerations. By using the Lyapunov‐based approach, a sufficient condition is presented for ensuring the stochastic stability of the suboptimal KCF. A numerical example is provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed filter.
Reliability planning of active distribution systems incorporating regulator requirements and network‐reliability equivalents
Authors: Hernando‐Gil Ignacio , Ilie Irinel‐Sorin , Djokic Sasa Z.
Published: October 2015

This study presents an integrated approach for reliability planning and risk estimation in active distribution systems. By incorporating the use of accurate reliability equivalents for different medium voltage/low voltage networks and load subsectors, a probabilistic methodology is proposed to capture both power quality and reliability aspects in power system planning, which potentially avoids the underestimation of system's performance at bulk supply points. A ‘time to restore supply’ concept, based on security of supply legislation, is introduced to quantify the effect of different network functionalities such as the use of backup supply or automatic/manual reconfiguration schemes. The range of annual reliability indices reported by 14 network operators in the UK is also used for the validation of reliability results, which allows estimating the risk of interruption times above the regulator‐imposed limits. Accordingly, conventional reliability assessment procedures are extended in this study by analysing a meshed urban distribution network through the application of a time‐sequential Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed methodology also acknowledges the use of time‐varying fault probabilities and empirical load profiles for a more realistic estimation of customer interruptions. A decision‐making approach is shown by assessing the impact of several network actions on the accuracy of reliability performance results.