bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mortuary Rites, Economic Behaviour and the Circulation of Goods in the Transition from Village to Urban Life in Early Mesopotamia
Authors: Brereton Gareth
Published: April 2016

The large-scale accumulation of goods is a widely recognized, but little studied, feature of early urbanization in Mesopotamia. Current research links the mobilization of goods in early cities to the expansion of cross-regional trade routes. A related aspect of urban growth is the virtual disappearance of intramural burials from the archaeological record. This contrasts with earlier phases where burials were incorporated into the routines of domestic life. Adapting Max Weber's insights regarding the origins of modern capitalist accumulation in changing forms of religious practice, this paper will trace the changing moral context of economic behaviour by examining long-term patterns of burial in the transition from village to urban life. The momentous social changes that accompanied the urban revolution transformed relationships between the living, the dead and the world of goods. Trajectories of accumulation reinforced by the provisioning of the deceased were reversed at the onset of urbanization, as the dead were expelled from the context of the living. The flow of commodities was now regulated by emerging forms of religious institution that fostered a culture of capital accumulation in rapidly developing urban centres.
Disaster Olympics: A Model for Resident Education
Authors: Daniel P. , Gist R. , Grock A. , Kohlhoff S. , Roblin P. , Arquilla B.
Published: April 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe an educational method teaching Disaster Medicine to American Emergency Medicine (EM) physicians and to evaluate knowledge attainment using this method.

Methods

This was an observational study using a pre-test and a post-test. A full-scale disaster exercise (FSE) was conducted at a large academic center with two hospitals in Brooklyn, New York (USA). Eighty-two EM residents (physicians in training, post medical school) participated in the study. Inclusion criteria for study participation was all EM residents training at the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate at the time of the study. There were no exclusion criteria. The exercise was a disaster drill designed as “Olympic Games.” Participants in the exercise took a pre-test and a post-test. The primary outcome of the study was the mean difference between pre-test and post-test scores of the study participants using independent sample t-tests. Secondary outcomes of the study were percent of critical actions met by the residents and the hospitals as measured by direct observation of trained study personnel during the exercise.

Results

Mean resident post-test scores were higher than pre-test scores to a degree that was statistically significant (62% versus 53%; P =.002). The residents’ performances ranged from 48% to 63% of objectives met. The hospitals’ performances met 50% to 100% of their objectives.

Conclusion

The use of an Olympic Games format was an effective model for disaster education for physicians. The model allowed for evaluation of performance and protocols of participants and hospital systems, respectively, and may be used objectively to evaluate for areas of improvement. The Disaster Olympics drill was found to improve emergency preparedness knowledge in the population studied and may constitute a novel and efficacious methodology in disaster training.

DanielP, GistR, GrockA, KohlhoffS, RoblinP, ArquillaB. Disaster Olympics: a model for resident education. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(3):237–241.
Long-term safety and effectiveness of lurasidone in schizophrenia: a 22-month, open-label extension study
Authors: Correll Christoph U. , Cucchiaro Josephine , Silva Robert , Hsu Jay , Pikalov Andrei , Loebel Antony
Published: April 2016

Objective

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of lurasidone in the long-term treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

Patients who completed a 6-week, double-blind (DB), placebo-controlled trial continued in a 22-month, open-label (OL) study during which they received once-daily, flexible-doses of lurasidone, 40–120 mg. Change in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was analyzed using both observed case (OC) and last observation carried forward (LOCF) analyses.

Results

Of the 251 patients who entered the OL extension, 51.4% completed 6 months, 36.7% completed 12 months, and 26.7% completed 22 months of OL treatment. Treatment with lurasidone was associated with a mean change from DB baseline, in weight of +0.4 kg at Month 12 (n=99), and +0.8 kg at Month 24 (n=67; OC analyses). Median change from DB baseline to Month 12 and Month 24, respectively, was -1.0 and -9.0 mg/dL for total cholesterol; 0.0 and -1.0 mg/dL for LDL; +1.0 and -11.0 mg/dL for triglycerides; and 0.0 and +0.1/% for HbA1c (OC analyses). The mean PANSS total score was 96.5 at DB baseline and 69.5 at OL baseline. The mean change from DB baseline in the PANSS total score at Month 24 was -43.6 (OC) and -28.4 (LOCF). Thirty-seven patients (14.7%) discontinued due to an adverse event (AE) during OL treatment. Three AEs occurred in ≥10% of patients: schizophrenia (12.4%), akathisia (10.8%), and somnolence (10.8%); and 19.2% reported at least one movement disorder–related AE. Discontinuations due to AEs occurred in 14.8% of patients.

Conclusions

In this 22-month, open-label extension study, treatment with lurasidone was associated with minimal effects on weight, glucose, lipids, and prolactin. Patients demonstrated sustained improvement in the PANSS total score for up to 24 months of lurasidone treatment.
Gender inequalities in excess adiposity and anaemia combine in a large double burden of malnutrition gap detrimental to women in an urban area in North Africa
Authors: Traissac Pierre , El Ati Jalila , Gartner Agnès , Ben Gharbia Houda , Delpeuch Francis
Published: April 2016

Objective

The nutrition transition has exacerbated the gender gap in health in the Middle East and North Africa region as the increase in excess adiposity has been much higher among women than men. This is not exclusive of the persistence of anaemia, generally also more prevalent among women. We assessed the magnitude and sociodemographic factors associated with gender inequality vis-à-vis the double burden of excess adiposity and anaemia.

Design

Cross-sectional study, stratified two-stage cluster sample. BMI (=weight/height2) ≥25·0 kg/m2defined overweight and BMI≥30·0 kg/m2obesity. Anaemia was defined as Hb <120 g/l for women, <130 g/l for men. Gender inequalities vis-à-vis the within-subject coexistence of excess adiposity and anaemia were assessed by womenv. men relative prevalence ratios (RPR). Their variation with sociodemographic characteristics used models including gender × covariate interactions.

Setting

Greater Tunis area in 2009–2010.

Subjects

Adults aged 20–49 years (women,n1689; men,n930).

Results

Gender inequalities in excess adiposity were high (e.g. overweight: women 64·9 %v. men 48·4 %; RPR=2·1; 95 % CI 1·6, 2·7) and much higher for anaemia (women 38·0 %v. men 7·2 %; RPR=8·2; 95 % CI 5·5, 12·4). They were striking for overweight and anaemia (women 24·1 %v. men 3·4 %; RPR=16·2; 95 % CI 10·3, 25·4). Gender inequalities in overweight adjusted for covariates increased with age but decreased with professional activity and household wealth score; gender inequality in anaemia or overweight and anaemia was more uniformly distributed.

Conclusions

Women were much more at risk than men, from both over- and undernutrition perspectives. Both the underlying gender-related and sex-linked biological determinants of this remarkable double burden of malnutrition inequality must be addressed to promote gender equity in health.
Automated Microscopy: Macro Language Controlling a Confocal Microscope and its External Illumination: Adaptation for Photosynthetic Organisms
Authors: Steinbach Gábor , Kaňa Radek
Published: April 2016

Photosynthesis research employs several biophysical methods, including the detection of fluorescence. Even though fluorescence is a key method to detect photosynthetic efficiency, it has not been applied/adapted to single-cell confocal microscopy measurements to examine photosynthetic microorganisms. Experiments with photosynthetic cells may require automation to perform a large number of measurements with different parameters, especially concerning light conditions. However, commercial microscopes support custom protocols (throughTime Controlleroffered by Olympus orExperiment Designeroffered by Zeiss) that are often unable to provide special set-ups and connection to external devices (e.g., for irradiation). Our new system combining an Arduino microcontroller with theCell⊕Findersoftware was developed for controlling Olympus FV1000 and FV1200 confocal microscopes and the attached hardware modules. Our software/hardware solution offers (1) a text file-based macro language to control the imaging functions of the microscope; (2) programmable control of several external hardware devices (light sources, thermal controllers, actuators) during imaging via the Arduino microcontroller; (3) theCell⊕Findersoftware with ergonomic user environment, a fast selection method for the biologically important cells and precise positioning feature that reduces unwanted bleaching of the cells by the scanning laser.Cell⊕Findercan be downloaded fromhttp://www.alga.cz/cellfinder. The system was applied to study changes in fluorescence intensity inSynechocystissp. PCC6803 cells under long-term illumination. Thus, we were able to describe the kinetics of phycobilisome decoupling. Microscopy data showed that phycobilisome decoupling appears slowly after long-term (>1 h) exposure to high light.
Gender Diversity in Cryosphere Science and Awards
Authors: Koenig Lora , Hulbe Christina , Bell Robin , Lampkin Derrick
Published: April 2016

A focus group’s executive committee asks whether the number of accolades given to women reflects the demographics of scientists within the field, from students to senior researchers.
Sound Waves Help Scientists Track Volcanic Eruptions
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: April 2016

When sound waves hit the ground, they shake seismometers like earthquake waves. Scientists can now use these sound-induced seismic waves to investigate volcanic activity.
Spatial and temporal homogeneity of driver mutations in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma
Authors: Nikbakht Hamid , Panditharatna Eshini , Mikael Leonie G. , Li Rui , Gayden Tenzin , Osmond Matthew , Ho Cheng-Ying , Kambhampati Madhuri , Hwang Eugene I. , Faury Damien , Siu Alan , Papillon-Cavanagh Simon , Bechet Denise , Ligon Keith L. , Ellezam Benjamin , Ingram Wendy J. , Stinson Caedyn , Moore Andrew S. , Warren Katherine E. , Karamchandani Jason , Packer Roger J. , Jabado Nada , Majewski Jacek , Nazarian Javad
Published: April 2016

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPGs) are deadly paediatric brain tumours where needle biopsies help guide diagnosis and targeted therapies. To address spatial heterogeneity, here we analyse 134 specimens from various neuroanatomical structures of whole autopsy brains from nine DIPG patients. Evolutionary reconstruction indicates histone 3 (H3) K27M—including H3.2K27M—mutations potentially arise first and are invariably associated with specific, high-fidelity obligate partners throughout the tumour and its spread, from diagnosis to end-stage disease, suggesting mutual need for tumorigenesis. These H3K27M ubiquitously-associated mutations involve alterations in TP53 cell-cycle (TP53/PPM1D) or specific growth factor pathways (ACVR1/PIK3R1). Later oncogenic alterations arise in sub-clones and often affect the PI3K pathway. Our findings are consistent with early tumour spread outside the brainstem including the cerebrum. The spatial and temporal homogeneity of main driver mutations in DIPG implies they will be captured by limited biopsies and emphasizes the need to develop therapies specifically targeting obligate oncohistone partnerships.
SCFSAP controls organ size by targeting PPD proteins for degradation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wang Zhibiao , Li Na , Jiang Shan , Gonzalez Nathalie , Huang Xiahe , Wang Yingchun , Inzé Dirk , Li Yunhai
Published: April 2016

Control of organ size by cell proliferation and growth is a fundamental process, but the mechanisms that determine the final size of organs are largely elusive in plants. We have previously revealed that the ubiquitin receptor DA1 regulates organ size by repressing cell proliferation in Arabidopsis. Here we report that a mutant allele of STERILE APETALA (SAP) suppresses the da1-1 mutant phenotype. We show that SAP is an F-box protein that forms part of a SKP1/Cullin/F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and controls organ size by promoting the proliferation of meristemoid cells. Genetic analyses suggest that SAP may act in the same pathway with PEAPOD1 and PEAPOD2, which are negative regulators of meristemoid proliferation, to control organ size, but does so independently of DA1. Further results reveal that SAP physically associates with PEAPOD1 and PEAPOD2, and targets them for degradation. These findings define a molecular mechanism by which SAP and PEAPOD control organ size.
Calcium-sensing receptors signal constitutive macropinocytosis and facilitate the uptake of NOD2 ligands in macrophages
Authors: Canton Johnathan , Schlam Daniel , Breuer Christian , Gütschow Michael , Glogauer Michael , Grinstein Sergio
Published: April 2016

Macropinocytosis can be induced in several cell types by stimulation with growth factors. In selected cell types, notably macrophages and dendritic cells, macropinocytosis occurs constitutively, supporting the uptake of antigens for subsequent presentation. Despite their different mode of initiation and contrasting physiological roles, it is tacitly assumed that both types of macropinocytosis are mechanistically identical. We report that constitutive macropinocytosis is stringently calcium dependent, while stimulus-induced macropinocytosis is not. Extracellular calcium is sensed by G-protein-coupled calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR) that signal macropinocytosis through Gα-, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phospholipase C. These pathways promote the recruitment of exchange factors that stimulate Rac and/or Cdc42, driving actin-dependent formation of ruffles and macropinosomes. In addition, the heterologous expression of CaSR in HEK293 cells confers on them the ability to perform constitutive macropinocytosis. Finally, we show that CaSR-induced constitutive macropinocytosis facilitates the sentinel function of macrophages, promoting the efficient delivery of ligands to cytosolic pattern-recognition receptors.
Identification and characterization of histone lysine methylation modifiers in Fragaria vesca
Authors: Gu Tingting , Han Yuhui , Huang Ruirui , McAvoy Richard J. , Li Yi
Published: April 2016

The diploid woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is an important model for fruit crops because of several unique characteristics including the small genome size, an ethylene-independent fruit ripening process, and fruit flesh derived from receptacle tissues rather than the ovary wall which is more typical of fruiting plants. Histone methylation is an important factor in gene regulation in higher plants but little is known about its roles in fruit development. We have identified 45 SET methyltransferase, 22 JmjC demethylase and 4 LSD demethylase genes in F. vesca. The analysis of these histone modifiers in eight plant species supports the clustering of those genes into major classes consistent with their functions. We also provide evidence that whole genome duplication and dispersed duplications via retrotransposons may have played pivotal roles in the expansion of histone modifier genes in F. vesca. Furthermore, transcriptome data demonstrated that expression of some SET genes increase as the fruit develops and peaks at the turning stage. Meanwhile, we have observed that expression of those SET genes responds to cold and heat stresses. Our results indicate that regulation of histone methylation may play a critical role in fruit development as well as responses to abiotic stresses in strawberry.
On hybrid circuits exploiting thermistive properties of slime mould
Authors: Walter Xavier Alexis , Horsfield Ian , Mayne Richard , Ieropoulos Ioannis A. , Adamatzky Andrew
Published: April 2016

Slime mould Physarum polycephalum is a single cell visible by the unaided eye. Let the slime mould span two electrodes with a single protoplasmic tube: if the tube is heated to approximately ≈40 °C, the electrical resistance of the protoplasmic tube increases from ≈3 MΩ to ≈10,000 MΩ. The organism’s resistance is not proportional nor correlated to the temperature of its environment. Slime mould can therefore not be considered as a thermistor but rather as a thermic switch. We employ the P. polycephalum thermic switch to prototype hybrid electrical analog summator, NAND gates and cascade the gates into Flip-Flop latch. Computing operations performed on this bio-hybrid computing circuitry feature high repeatability, reproducibility and comparably low propagation delays.
Strontium-90 activity concentration in soil samples from the exclusion zone of the Fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant
Authors: Sahoo Sarata Kumar , Kavasi Norbert , Sorimachi Atsuyuki , Arae Hideki , Tokonami Shinji , Mietelski Jerzy Wojciech , Łokas Edyta , Yoshida Satoshi
Published: April 2016

The radioactive fission product 90Sr has a long biological half-life (˜18 y) in the human body. Due to its chemical similarity to calcium it accumulates in bones and irradiates the bone marrow, causing its high radio-toxicity. Assessing 90Sr is therefore extremely important in case of a nuclear disaster. In this work 16 soil samples were collected from the exclusion zone (<30 km) of the earthquake-damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, to measure 90Sr activity concentration using liquid scintillation counting. 137Cs activity concentration was also measured with gamma-spectroscopy in order to investigate correlation with 90Sr. The 90Sr activity concentrations ranged from 3.0 ± 0.3 to 23.3 ± 1.5 Bq kg−1 while the 137Cs from 0.7 ± 0.1 to 110.8 ± 0.3 kBq kg−1. The fact that radioactive contamination originated from the Fukushima nuclear accident was obvious due to the presence of 134Cs. However, 90Sr contamination was not confirmed in all samples although detectable amounts of 90Sr can be expected in Japanese soils, as a background, stemming from global fallout due to the atmospheric nuclear weapon tests. Correlation analysis between 90Sr and 137Cs activity concentrations provides a potentially powerful tool to discriminate background 90Sr level from its Fukushima contribution.
Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion enhances Tau hyperphosphorylation and reduces autophagy in Alzheimer’s disease mice
Authors: Qiu Lifeng , Ng Gandi , Tan Eng King , Liao Ping , Kandiah Nagaendran , Zeng Li
Published: April 2016

Cerebral hypoperfusion and impaired autophagy are two etiological factors that have been identified as being associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Nevertheless, the exact relationships among these pathological processes remain unknown. To elucidate the impact of cerebral hypoperfusion in AD, we created a unilateral common carotid artery occlusion (UCCAO) model by occluding the left common carotid artery in both young and old 3xTg-AD mice. Two months after occlusion, we found that ligation increases phospho-Tau (p-Tau) at Serine 199/202 in the hippocampus of 3-month-old AD mice, compared to sham-operated AD mice; whereas, there is no change in the wild type (WT) mice after ligation. Moreover, cerebral hypoperfusion led to significant increase of p-Tau in both the hippocampus and cortex of 16-month-old AD mice and WT mice. Notably, we did not detect any change in Aβ42 level in either young or old AD and WT mice after ligation. Interestingly, we observed a downregulation of LC3-II in the cortex of aged AD mice and WT mice after ligation. Our results suggest that elevated p-Tau and reduced autophagy are major cellular changes that are associated with hypoperfusion in AD. Therefore, targeting p-Tau and autophagy pathways may ameliorate hypoperfusion-induced brain damage in AD.
Rac1 modulates the formation of primordial follicles by facilitating STAT3-directed Jagged1, GDF9 and BMP15 transcription in mice
Authors: Zhao Lihua , Du Xinhua , Huang Kun , Zhang Tuo , Teng Zhen , Niu Wanbao , Wang Chao , Xia Guoliang
Published: April 2016

The size of the primordial follicle pool determines the reproductive potential of mammalian females and establishment of the pool is highly dependent on specific genes expression. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the essential genes are regulated coordinately to ensure primordial follicle assembly remain a mystery. Here, we show that the small GTPase Rac1 plays an indispensable role in controlling the formation of primordial follicles in mouse ovary. Employing fetal mouse ovary organ culture system, we demonstrate that disruption of Rac1 retarded the breakdown of germline cell cysts while Rac1 overexpression accelerated the formation of primordial follicles. In addition, in vivo inhibitor injection resulted in the formation of multi-oocyte follicles. Subsequent investigation showed that Rac1 induced nuclear import of STAT3 by physical binding. In turn, nuclear STAT3 directly activated the transcription of essential oocyte-specific genes, including Jagged1, GDF9, BMP15 and Nobox. Further, GDF9 and BMP15 regulated the translation of Notch2 via mTORC1 activation in pregranulosa cells. Overexression or addition of Jagged1, GDF9 and BMP15 not only reversed the effect of Rac1 disruption, but also accelerated primordial follicle formation via Notch2 signaling activation. Collectively, these results indicate that Rac1 plays important roles as a key regulator in follicular assembly.
Trim69 regulates zebrafish brain development by ap-1 pathway
Authors: Han Ruiqin , Wang Renxian , Zhao Qing , Han Yongqing , Zong Shudong , Miao Shiying , Song Wei , Wang Linfang
Published: April 2016

Proteins belonging to the TRIM family have been implicated in a variety of cellular processes such as apoptosis, differentiation, neurogenesis, muscular physiology and innate immune responses. Trim69, previously identified as a novel gene cloned from a human testis cDNA library, has a homologous gene in zebrafish and this study focused on investigating the function of trim69 in zebrafish neurogenesis. Trim69 was found to be expressed in zebrafish embryo brain at the early stages. Knockdown of trim69 led to deformed brain development, obvious signs of apoptosis present in the head and decreased expression of neuronal differentiation and stem cell markers. This phenotype was rescued upon co-injection of human mRNA together along with the trim69 knockdown. Results of this study also showed an interaction between TRIM69 and c-Jun in human cells and upon TRIM69 knock down c-Jun expression subsequently increased, whereas the over-expression of TRIM69 led to the down-regulation of c-Jun. Additionally, knockdown both c-Jun and trim69 can rescue the deformed brain, evident cellular apoptosis in the head and decreased expression of neuronal differentiation and stem cell markers. Overall, our results support a role for trim69 in the development of the zebrafish brain through ap-1 pathway.
Surface energetics and protein-protein interactions: analysis and mechanistic implications
Authors: Peri Claudio , Morra Giulia , Colombo Giorgio
Published: April 2016

Understanding protein-protein interactions (PPI) at the molecular level is a fundamental task in the design of new drugs, the prediction of protein function and the clarification of the mechanisms of (dis)regulation of biochemical pathways. In this study, we use a novel computational approach to investigate the energetics of aminoacid networks located on the surface of proteins, isolated and in complex with their respective partners. Interestingly, the analysis of individual proteins identifies patches of surface residues that, when mapped on the structure of their respective complexes, reveal regions of residue-pair couplings that extend across the binding interfaces, forming continuous motifs. An enhanced effect is visible across the proteins of the dataset forming larger quaternary assemblies. The method indicates the presence of energetic signatures in the isolated proteins that are retained in the bound form, which we hypothesize to determine binding orientation upon complex formation. We propose our method, BLUEPRINT, as a complement to different approaches ranging from the ab-initio characterization of PPIs, to protein-protein docking algorithms, for the physico-chemical and functional investigation of protein-protein interactions.
Combined Population Dynamics and Entropy Modelling Supports Patient Stratification in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Brehme Marc , Koschmieder Steffen , Montazeri Maryam , Copland Mhairi , Oehler Vivian G. , Radich Jerald P. , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Schuppert Andreas
Published: April 2016

Modelling the parameters of multistep carcinogenesis is key for a better understanding of cancer progression, biomarker identification and the design of individualized therapies. Using chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) as a paradigm for hierarchical disease evolution we show that combined population dynamic modelling and CML patient biopsy genomic analysis enables patient stratification at unprecedented resolution. Linking CD34+ similarity as a disease progression marker to patient-derived gene expression entropy separated established CML progression stages and uncovered additional heterogeneity within disease stages. Importantly, our patient data informed model enables quantitative approximation of individual patients’ disease history within chronic phase (CP) and significantly separates “early” from “late” CP. Our findings provide a novel rationale for personalized and genome-informed disease progression risk assessment that is independent and complementary to conventional measures of CML disease burden and prognosis.
Insights into the adaptive response of the plant-pathogenic oomycete Phytophthora capsici to the fungicide flumorph
Authors: Pang Zhili , Chen Lei , Mu Wenjun , Liu Li , Liu Xili
Published: April 2016

Phytophthora capsici is an important oomycete plant pathogen that causes significant losses worldwide. The carboxylic acid amide fungicide flumorph has shown excellent activity against oomycete plant pathogens. Despite its potential, there remains concern that the sexual reproduction of oomycete pathogens, which results in genetic recombination, could result in the rapid development of resistance to flumorph. The current study utilized an iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) based method to compare differences between the proteome of the parental P. capsici isolate PCAS1 and its sexual progeny S2-838, which exhibits significant resistance to flumorph. A total of 2396 individual proteins were identified, of these, 181 were considered to be associated with the adaptive response of P. capsici to flumorph. The subsequent bioinformatic analysis revealed that the adaptive response of P. capsici to flumorph was complex and regulated by multiple mechanisms, including utilising carbohydrate from the host environment to compensate for the cell wall stress induced by flumorph, a shift in energy generation, decreased amino acids biosynthesis, and elevated levels of proteins associated with the pathogen’s response to stimulus and transmembrane transport. Moreover, the results of the study provided crucial data that could provide the basis for early monitoring of flumorph resistance in field populations of P. capsici.
Transverse spin relaxation and diffusion-constant measurements of spin-polarized 129Xe nuclei in the presence of a magnetic field gradient
Authors: Liu Xiaohu , Chen Chang , Qu Tianliang , Yang Kaiyong , Luo Hui
Published: April 2016

The presence of a magnetic field gradient in a sample cell containing spin-polarized 129Xe atoms will cause an increased relaxation rate. We measured the transverse spin relaxation time of 129Xe verse the applied magnetic field gradient and the cell temperature. We then compared the different transverse spin relaxation behavior of dual isotopes of xenon (129Xe and 131Xe) due to magnetic field gradient in the same cell. The experiment results show the residual magnetic field gradient can be measured and compensated by applying a negative magnetic gradient in the sample cell. The transverse spin relaxation time of 129Xe could be increased 2–7 times longer when applying an appropriate magnetic field gradient. The experiment results can also be used to determine the diffusion constant of 129Xe in H2 and N2 to be 0.4 ± 0.26 cm2/sec and 0.12 ± 0.02 cm2/sec. The results are close with theoretical calculation.
Immunization with a novel Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin mutant rETXY196E-C confers strong protection in mice
Authors: Yao Wenwu , Kang Jingjing , Kang Lin , Gao Shan , Yang Hao , Ji Bin , Li Ping , Liu Jing , Xin Wenwen , Wang Jinglin
Published: April 2016

Epsilon toxin (ETX) is produced by toxinotypes B and D ofClostridium perfringens. It can induce lethal enterotoxemia in domestic animals, mainly in sheep, goats and cattle, causing serious economic losses to global animal husbandry. In this study, a novel and stable epsilon toxin mutant rETXY196E-C, obtained by substituting the 196th tyrosine (Y196) with glutamic acid (E) and introducing of 23 amino acids long C-terminal peptide, was determined as a promising recombinant vaccine candidate against enterotoxemia. After the third vaccination, the antibody titers against recombinant wild type (rETX) could reach 1:105in each immunized group, and the mice were completely protected from 100 × LD50(50% lethal dose) of rETX challenge. The mice in 15 μg subcutaneously immunized group fully survived at the dose of 500 × LD50of rETX challenge and 80% of mice survived at 180 μg (1000 × LD50) of rETX administration.In vitro, immune sera from 15 μg subcutaneously immunized group could completely protect MDCK cells from 16 × CT50(50% lethal dose of cells) of rETX challenge and protect against 10 × LD50dose (1.8 μg) of rETX challenge in mice. These data suggest that recombinant protein rETXY196E-C is a potential vaccine candidate for future applied researches.
High Color-Purity Green, Orange, and Red Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Chemically Functionalized Graphene Quantum Dots
Authors: Kwon Woosung , Kim Young-Hoon , Kim Ji-Hee , Lee Taehyung , Do Sungan , Park Yoonsang , Jeong Mun Seok , Lee Tae-Woo , Rhee Shi-Woo
Published: April 2016

Chemically derived graphene quantum dots (GQDs) to date have showed very broad emission linewidth due to many kinds of chemical bondings with different energy levels, which significantly degrades the color purity and color tunability. Here, we show that use of aniline derivatives to chemically functionalize GQDs generates new extrinsic energy levels that lead to photoluminescence of very narrow linewidths. We use transient absorption and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopies to study the electronic structures and related electronic transitions of our GQDs, which reveals that their underlying carrier dynamics is strongly related to the chemical properties of aniline derivatives. Using these functionalized GQDs as lumophores, we fabricate light-emitting didoes (LEDs) that exhibit green, orange, and red electroluminescence that has high color purity. The maximum current efficiency of 3.47 cd A−1 and external quantum efficiency of 1.28% are recorded with our LEDs; these are the highest values ever reported for LEDs based on carbon-nanoparticle phosphors. This functionalization of GQDs with aniline derivatives represents a new method to fabricate LEDs that produce natural color.
Antiferromagnetic Spin Wave Field-Effect Transistor
Authors: Cheng Ran , Daniels Matthew W. , Zhu Jian-Gang , Xiao Di
Published: April 2016

In a collinear antiferromagnet with easy-axis anisotropy, symmetry dictates that the spin wave modes must be doubly degenerate. Theses two modes, distinguished by their opposite polarization and available only in antiferromagnets, give rise to a novel degree of freedom to encode and process information. We show that the spin wave polarization can be manipulated by an electric field induced Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and magnetic anisotropy. We propose a prototype spin wave field-effect transistor which realizes a gate-tunable magnonic analog of the Faraday effect and demonstrate its application in THz signal modulation. Our findings open up the exciting possibility of digital data processing utilizing antiferromagnetic spin waves and enable the direct projection of optical computing concepts onto the mesoscopic scale.
Symmetry breaking in molecular ferroelectrics
Authors: Shi Ping-Ping , Tang Yuan-Yuan , Li Peng-Fei , Liao Wei-Qiang , Wang Zhong-Xia , Ye Qiong , Xiong Ren-Gen
Published: April 2016

Symmetry breaking occurs between the high-temperature, high-symmetry paraelectric phase and the low-temperature, low-symmetry ferroelectric phase along with a reduction in the number of symmetry elements, obeying the Curie symmetry principle and relating to the ferroelectricity.
Halogen-free ammonium–organoborate ionic liquids as lubricating additives: the effect of alkyl chain lengths on the tribological performance
Authors: Khatri Praveen K. , Joshi Chetan , Thakre Gananath D. , Jain Suman L.
Published: April 2016

A series of ammonium–organoborate ionic liquids with efficient tribological performances in terms of anti-wear and friction reducing properties were synthesized.
Protective effect of chrysophanol on LPS/d-GalN-induced hepatic injury through the RIP140/NF-κB pathway
Authors: Jiang Wenjiao , Zhou Rui , Li Peijin , Sun Yilin , Lu Qianfeng , Qiu Yue , Wang Jinglei , Liu Jingyan , Hao Kun , Ding Xuansheng
Published: April 2016

Chrysophanol prevented LPS/d-GalN-induced liver injury through the induction of antioxidant defence, suppression of apoptosis and reduction of inflammatory responseviainhibition of the RIP140/NF-κB pathway.
Facile synthesis of magnetic La–Zr composite as high effective adsorbent for fluoride removal
Authors: Chen Pinghua , Zhang Weibo , Li Menglin , Ai Peng , Tian Lei , Jiang Hualin
Published: April 2016

A novel magnetic composite of La–Zr was prepared by co-precipitation method, and its fluoride removal ability was investigated in batch studies.
Discriminating unalike single nucleobase mismatches using a molecularly resolved, label-free, interfacial LNA-based assay
Authors: Lahiri Hiya , Mishra Sourav , Mana Tanushree , Mukhopadhyay Rupa
Published: April 2016

Molecularly resolved, label-free discrimination of different types of single nucleobase mismatches by LNA probes.
Lanthanoid single-ion magnets with the LnN10 coordination geometry
Authors: Jiang Zhong-Xia , Liu Jun-Liang , Chen Yan-Cong , Liu Jiang , Jia Jian-Hua , Tong Ming-Liang
Published: April 2016

Two unprecedented single-ion magnets (SIMs) with the homoatomic LnN10 coordination geometry were reported, where the central Ln (Ln = DyIII or ErIII) ion is interlocked by two pentadentate ligands (N5) affording a low symmetric polyhedron. Studies of the dynamic magnetic behaviours show an effective energy of 79(4) K for [Dy(N5)2]3+ and 59(4) K for [Er(N5)2]3+, respectively.
Copper-catalyzed alkylarylation of activated alkenes using isocyanides as the alkyl source: an efficient radical access to 3,3-dialkylated oxindoles
Authors: Zhao Yaping , Li Zhenghua , Sharma Upendra K. , Sharma Nandini , Song Gonghua , Van der Eycken Erik V.
Published: April 2016

A novel copper-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of N-arylacrylamides for the synthesis of 3,3-dialkylated oxindoles is described using isocyanides as alkyl radical precursors.
Self-assembled nanofiber hydrogels for mechanoresponsive therapeutic anti-TNFα antibody delivery
Authors: Kaplan J. A. , Barthélémy P. , Grinstaff M. W.
Published: April 2016

Supramolecular assemblies of nanofibers release entrapped protein upon application of shear.
A panchromatic modification of the light absorption spectra of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Otal E. H. , Kim M. L. , Calvo M. E. , Karvonen L. , Fabregas I. O. , Sierra C. A. , Hinestroza J. P.
Published: April 2016

Zr-based MOFs' light absorption spectra were shifted from UV to NIR via diazo coupling reaction. The photocatalytic performance of the solids was correlated with absorption edge.
Low- and high-temperature oxidation of Mn1.5Al1.5O4in relation to decomposition mechanism and microstructure
Authors: Cherepanova Svetlana V. , Bulavchenko Olga A. , Gerasimov Evgeny Yu. , Tsybulya Sergey V.
Published: April 2016

Partial oxidation of Mn2+ions at different temperatures leads to Mn1.5Al1.5O4decomposition and formation of different microstructures.
Optical characterizations of the surface states in hybrid lead–halide perovskites
Authors: Kong Weiguang , Ding Tao , Bi Gang , Wu Huizhen
Published: April 2016

It is demonstrated that the optical dynamics in MAPbI3is primarily determined by the surface states. Pb dangling bonds in MAPbI3introduce shallow electronic states, whereas rich-iodine surface of MAPbI3induces deep trap centers for carriers which are detrimental to carrier lifetimes and diffusion lengths.
Overcoming artificial broadening in Gd3+–Gd3+ distance distributions arising from dipolar pseudo-secular terms in DEER experiments
Authors: Cohen Marie Ramirez , Frydman Veronica , Milko Petr , Iron Mark A. , Abdelkader Elwy H. , Lee Michael D. , Swarbrick James D. , Raitsimring Arnold , Otting Gottfried , Graham Bim , Feintuch Akiva , Goldfarb Daniella
Published: April 2016

Double electron–electron resonance (DEER) is used to probe structure of Gd3+-tagged biomolecules by determining Gd3+–Gd3+ distances.
A spectroscopic and theoretical study in the near-infrared region of low concentration aliphatic alcohols
Authors: Beć Krzysztof B. , Futami Yoshisuke , Wójcik Marek J. , Ozaki Yukihiro
Published: April 2016

The near-infrared (NIR) spectra of low-concentration (5 × 10−3 M) solutions in CCl4 of basic aliphatic alcohols, methanol, ethanol, and 1-propanol were, for the first time, calculated by second-order vibrational perturbation theory computations and were compared with the corresponding experimental data.
Near-UV photodissociation dynamics of CH2I2
Authors: Toulson Benjamin W. , Alaniz Jonathan P. , Grant Hill J. , Murray Craig
Published: April 2016

The near-UV photodissociation dynamics of CH2I2has been investigated using a combination of velocity-map (slice) ion imaging andab initiocalculations characterizing the excited states.
Research highlights: laboratory studies of the formation and transformation of atmospheric organic aerosols
Authors: Borduas Nadine , Lin Vivian S.
Published: April 2016

This highlight features four recent publications on atmospheric aerosol chemistry, including studies on aerosol formation and elucidation of phase and transformation processes.
Self-propelled chelation platforms for efficient removal of toxic metals
Authors: Uygun D. A. , Jurado-Sánchez B. , Uygun M. , Wang J.
Published: April 2016

Water-powered ligand-modified micromotors that offer efficient ‘on-the-fly’ chelation of heavy metal contaminants are described.
Highly thermal-stable and functional cellulose nanocrystals and nanofibrils produced using fully recyclable organic acids
Authors: Chen Liheng , Zhu J. Y. , Baez Carlos , Kitin Peter , Elder Thomas
Published: April 2016

Concentrated solid dicarboxylic acid hydrolysis for producing highly thermal-stable and carboxylated cellulose nanomaterials with complete acid recovery.
Comparative effects of dexamethasone and bergenin on chronic bronchitis and their anti-inflammatory mechanisms based on NMR metabolomics
Authors: Ren Xiaolei , Ma Shuangshuang , Wang Juan , Tian Simin , Fu Xiaorui , Liu Xinfeng , Li Zhongfeng , Zhao Baosheng , Wang Xueyong
Published: April 2016

NMR metabolomics was applied to study the anti-inflammation mechanism of dexamethasone and bergenin on chronic bronchitis.
Self-limited self-assembly of nanoparticles into supraparticles: towards supramolecular colloidal materials by design
Authors: Piccinini Esteban , Pallarola Diego , Battaglini Fernando , Azzaroni Omar
Published: April 2016

We survey the most outstanding achievements on the rational design of supraparticles based on the self-limited self-assembly of nanoparticles.
Use of complementary nucleobase-containing synthetic polymers to prepare complex self-assembled morphologies in water
Authors: Kang Yan , Pitto-Barry Anaïs , S. Rolph Marianne , Hua Zan , Hands-Portman Ian , Kirby Nigel , O’Reilly Rachel K.
Published: April 2016

Amphiphilic block copolymers with synthetic nucleobase-containing blocks as the hydrophobic segments were successfully synthesized using RAFT polymerisation and then self-assembledviasolvent switch in aqueous solutions.
Tailoring of spectral response and intramolecular charge transfer in β-enaminones through band gap tuning: synthesis, spectroscopy and quantum chemical studies
Authors: Misra Ramprasad , Chakraborty Pushkin , Roy Subhas C. , Maity D. K. , Bhattacharyya S. P.
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we investigate the synthetic tailoring of the spectral response and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) of β-enaminones through bandgap modulation.
Synthesis of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines via oxidative amination of the C(sp3)–H bond under air using metal–organic framework Cu-MOF-74 as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst
Authors: Nguyen Hanh T. H. , Nguyen Oanh T. K. , Truong Thanh , Phan Nam T. S.
Published: April 2016

1,3-Diarylated imidazo[1,5-a]pyridines were synthesized via oxidative amination of the C(sp3)–H bond using Cu-MOF-74 as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst.
Preparation and characterization of a covalent edge-functionalized lipoic acid–MoS2conjugate
Authors: Jeong Misoon , Kim Somin , Ju Sang-Yong
Published: April 2016

Here, we developed a one-step method for covalent edge functionalization of semiconducting MoS2with lipoic acid.
Removal of NO from flue gas using heat-activated ammonium persulfate aqueous solution in a bubbling reactor
Authors: Wu Bo , Xiong Yuanquan , Ru Jinbo , Feng Hao
Published: April 2016

Ammonium persulfate aqueous solution was used for the first time for NO removal from flue gas in a bubbling bed due to its low cost compared with other persulfate salts (sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate and ammonium persulfate).
Gold(i)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation and the subsequent ring enlargement of methylenecyclopropanes to cyclobutenes
Authors: Fang Wei , Tang Xiang-Ying , Shi Min
Published: April 2016

Gold(i)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation and the ring enlargement of methylenecyclopropanes containing aryl propargyl ether to give 2H-chromene derivatives and the corresponding cyclobutenes.
Zwitterionic buffer-induced visible light excitation of TiO2 for efficient pollutant photodegradation
Authors: Xiao Xiang , Zhu Wen-Wen , Lei Yu-Bin , Liu Qiu-Yue , Li Qian , Li Wen-Wei
Published: April 2016

TiO2 surface complexation with antenna organic molecules confers it a visible light absorption ability that favors ​photocatalytic application, but environmentally benign antenna molecules are yet to be developed.
Antitumor activity of Dendrobium devonianum polysaccharides based on their immunomodulatory effects in S180 tumor-bearing mice
Authors: Tong Litao , Wang Lili , Zhou Xianrong , Zhong Kui , Liu Liya , Wang Fengzhong , Zhou Sumei
Published: April 2016

The aim of the present study is to investigate the antitumor activity and immunostimulatory effect of the water-soluble polysaccharides (DDP) from stem of Dendrobium devonianum in S180 tumor-bearing mice.
Optimization of the experimental conditions of hydrogen production by the Pt–(CdS/ZnS) system under visible light illumination
Authors: Villa Katherine , Domènech Xavier , García-Pérez Ulises M. , Peral José
Published: April 2016

The photocatalytic activity of a Pt–(CdS/ZnS) system towards hydrogen generation from water and in presence of a sacrificial organic is studied.
A comprehensive density functional theory study of the key role of fluorination and dual hydrogen bonding in the activation of the epoxide/CO2 coupling by fluorinated alcohols
Authors: Alves M. , Mereau R. , Grignard B. , Detrembleur C. , Jerome C. , Tassaing T.
Published: April 2016

DFT calculations allow understanding the key role of fluorination and dual hydrogen bonding responsible for the remarkable catalytic activity of the fluorinated alcohol/ammonium bromide bicomponent organocatalysts for the epoxide/CO2 coupling.
Efficient and stable perovskite solar cells based on functional graphene-modified P3HT hole-transporting layer
Authors: Ye Jian , Li Xueliang , Zhao Jianjun , Mei Xuelan , Li Qian
Published: April 2016

Organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells have recently emerged at the forefront of photovoltaics research.
Synthesis, properties and singlet oxygen generation of thiazolidinone double bond linked porphyrin at meso and β-position
Authors: Ahmad Sohail , Yadav Kumar Karitkey , Narang Uma , Bhattacharya Soumee , Singh Sarangthem Joychandra , Chauhan S. M. S.
Published: April 2016

Meso and β-substituted free base and zinc metallated thiazolidinone–porphyrin conjugates were synthesized by one pot four component Knoevenagel condensation by utilizing substituted amines, carbon disulfide, ethyl chloroacetate and porphyrin aldehydes.
Analyte discrimination with chemically diverse sensor array based on electrocopolymerized pyrrole and vinyl derivatives
Authors: Iyogun Akin A. , Buchanan Douglas A. , Freund Michael S.
Published: April 2016

The development of chemically diverse arrays of sensing elements has gained the attention of researchers due to their anticipated capacity to mimic the function of olfactory receptors in the mammalian olfactory system.
Facile electrochemical preparation of a composite film of ruthenium dioxide and carboxylated graphene for a high performance supercapacitor
Authors: Meng Yue , Wang Linping , Xiao Hongbo , Ma Yixuan , Chao Long , Xie Qingji
Published: April 2016

A high performance supercapacitor based on a composite of ruthenium dioxide and carboxylated graphene is constructed by composite electrodeposition and electrooxidation.
Toughening of an epoxy thermoset with poly[styrene-alt-(maleic acid)]-block-polystyrene-block-poly(n-butyl acrylate) reactive core–shell particles
Authors: He Ren , Zhan Xiaoli , Zhang Qinghua , Chen Fengqiu
Published: April 2016

Reactive core–shell particles for epoxy toughening were synthesizedviareversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer emulsion polymerization mediated by an amphiphilic macro-RAFT agent followed by core-crosslinking to increase stability.
Dioxotungsten(vi) complexes with isoniazid-related hydrazones as (pre)catalysts for olefin epoxidation: solvent and ligand substituent effects
Authors: Vrdoljak Višnja , Pisk Jana , Prugovečki Biserka , Agustin Dominique , Novak Predrag , Matković-Čalogović Dubravka
Published: April 2016

The catalytic performances (activity and selectivity) of the mononuclear dioxotungsten(vi) complexes [WO2(LR)(D)] towards alkene epoxidation bytert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) were investigated under different conditions.
Treatment of ultra-high concentration 2-diazo-4,6-dinitrophenol (DDNP) industry wastewater by the combined Fe/Cu/air and Fenton process
Authors: Yuan Yue , Cao Pengmu , Lai Bo , Yang Ping , Zhou Yuexi
Published: April 2016

Treatment of 2-diazo-4,6-dinitrophenol (DDNP) industry wastewater by 1stFe/Cu/air–2ndFenton–3rdFe/Cu/air was studied to degrade the toxic refractory pollutants and improve the biodegradability.
Rapid size-dependent separation of CdTe quantum dots with prion protein
Authors: Zhang Lingyan , Long Yijuan , Zheng Huzhi
Published: April 2016

rPrP can be applied to separate quantum dots with different size.
Correction: Interlayer interaction and related properties of bilayer hexagonal boron nitride: ab initio study
Authors: Lebedev Alexander V. , Lebedeva Irina V. , Knizhnik Andrey A. , Popov Andrey M.
Published: April 2016

Correction for ‘Interlayer interaction and related properties of bilayer hexagonal boron nitride: ab initio study’ by Alexander V. Lebedev et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 6423–6435.