bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tum/RacGAP functions as a switch activating the Pav/kinesin-6 motor
Authors: Tao Li , Fasulo Barbara , Warecki Brandt , Sullivan William
Published: April 2016

Centralspindlin is essential for central spindle and cleavage furrow formation. Drosophila centralspindlin consists of a kinesin-6 motor (Pav/kinesin-6) and a GTPase-activating protein (Tum/RacGAP). Centralspindlin localization to the central spindle is mediated by Pav/kinesin-6. While Tum/RacGAP has well-documented scaffolding functions, whether it influences Pav/kinesin-6 function is less well-explored. Here we demonstrate that both Pav/kinesin-6 and the centralspindlin complex (co-expressed Pav/Tum) have strong microtubule bundling activity. Centralspindlin also has robust plus-end-directed motility. In contrast, Pav/kinesin-6 alone cannot move microtubules. However, the addition of Tum/RacGAP or a 65 amino acid Tum/RacGAP fragment to Pav/kinesin-6 restores microtubule motility. Further, ATPase assays reveal that microtubule-stimulated ATPase activity of centralspindlin is seven times higher than that of Pav/kinesin-6. These findings are supported by in vivo studies demonstrating that in Tum/RacGAP-depleted S2 Drosophila cells, Pav/kinesin-6 exhibits severely reduced localization to the central spindle and an abnormal concentration at the centrosomes.
A two decade dementia incidence comparison from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies I and II
Authors: Matthews F. E. , Stephan B. C. M. , Robinson L. , Jagger C. , Barnes L. E. , Arthur A. , Brayne C. ,   Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS) Collaboration, Comas-Herrera A. , Wittenberg R. , Dening T. , McCracken C.F.M. , Moody C. , Parry B. , Green E. , Barnes R. , Warwick J. , Gao L. , Mattison A. , Baldwin C. , Harrison S. , Woods B. , McKeith I.G. , Ince P.G. , Wharton S.B. , Forster G.
Published: April 2016

Dramatic global increases in future numbers of people with dementia have been predicted. No multicentre population-based study powered to detect changes over time has reported dementia incidence. MRC Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (CFAS) undertook baseline interviews in populations aged 65+ years in England and Wales (1989–1994). Three areas (CFAS I) were selected for new sampling two decades later (2008–2011) with same geographical boundaries, sampling and approach methods (CFAS II). At 2 years CFAS I interviewed 5,156 (76% response) with 5,288 interviewed in CFAS II (74% response). Here we report a 20% drop in incidence (95% CI: 0–40%), driven by a reduction in men across all ages above 65. In the UK we estimate 209,600 new dementia cases per year. This study was uniquely designed to test for differences across geography and time. A reduction of age-specific incidence means that the numbers of people estimated to develop dementia in any year has remained relatively stable.
Gene set of chemosensory receptors in the polyembryonic endoparasitoid Macrocentrus cingulum
Authors: Ahmed Tofael , Zhang Tiantao , Wang Zhenying , He Kanglai , Bai Shuxiong
Published: April 2016

Insects are extremely successful animals whose odor perception is very prominent due to their sophisticated olfactory system. The main chemosensory organ, antennae play a critical role in detecting odor in ambient environment before initiating appropriate behavioral responses. The antennal chemosensory receptor genes families have been suggested to be involved in olfactory signal transduction pathway as a sensory neuron response. The Macrocentrus cingulum is deployed successfully as a biological control agent for corn pest insects from the Lepidopteran genus Ostrinia. In this research, we assembled antennal transcriptomes of M. cingulum by using next generation sequencing to identify the major chemosensory receptors gene families. In total, 112 olfactory receptors candidates (79 odorant receptors, 20 gustatory receptors, and 13 ionotropic receptors) have been identified from the male and female antennal transcriptome. The sequences of all of these transcripts were confirmed by RT-PCR, and direct DNA sequencing. Expression profiles of gustatory receptors in olfactory and non-olfactory tissues were measured by RT-qPCR. The sex-specific and sex-biased chemoreceptors expression patterns suggested that they may have important functions in sense detection which behaviorally relevant to odor molecules. This reported result provides a comprehensive resource of the foundation in semiochemicals driven behaviors at molecular level in polyembryonic endoparasitoid.
Galectin-1 dimers can scaffold Raf-effectors to increase H-ras nanoclustering
Authors: Blaževitš Olga , Mideksa Yonatan G. , Šolman Maja , Ligabue Alessio , Ariotti Nicholas , Nakhaeizadeh Hossein , Fansa Eyad K. , Papageorgiou Anastassios C. , Wittinghofer Alfred , Ahmadian Mohammad R. , Abankwa Daniel
Published: April 2016

Galectin-1 (Gal-1) dimers crosslink carbohydrates on cell surface receptors. Carbohydrate-derived inhibitors have been developed for cancer treatment. Intracellularly, Gal-1 was suggested to interact with the farnesylated C-terminus of Ras thus specifically stabilizing GTP-H-ras nanoscale signalling hubs in the membrane, termed nanoclusters. The latter activity may present an alternative mechanism for how overexpressed Gal-1 stimulates tumourigenesis. Here we revise the current model for the interaction of Gal-1 with H-ras. We show that it indirectly forms a complex with GTP-H-ras via a high-affinity interaction with the Ras binding domain (RBD) of Ras effectors. A computationally generated model of the Gal-1/C-Raf-RBD complex is validated by mutational analysis. Both cellular FRET as well as proximity ligation assay experiments confirm interaction of Gal-1 with Raf proteins in mammalian cells. Consistently, interference with H-rasG12V-effector interactions basically abolishes H-ras nanoclustering. In addition, an intact dimer interface of Gal-1 is required for it to positively regulate H-rasG12V nanoclustering, but negatively K-rasG12V nanoclustering. Our findings suggest stacked dimers of H-ras, Raf and Gal-1 as building blocks of GTP-H-ras-nanocluster at high Gal-1 levels. Based on our results the Gal-1/effector interface represents a potential drug target site in diseases with aberrant Ras signalling.
Circulating Fatty Acid Synthase in pregnant women: Relationship to blood pressure, maternal metabolism and newborn parameters
Authors: Carreras-Badosa Gemma , Prats-Puig Anna , Puig Teresa , Vázquez-Ruíz Montserrat , Bruel Monserrat , Mendoza Ericka , de Zegher Francis , Ibáñez Lourdes , López-Bermejo Abel , Bassols Judit
Published: April 2016

The enzyme FASN (fatty acid synthase) is potentially related with hypertension and metabolic dysfunction. FASN is highly expressed in the human placenta. We aimed to investigate the relationship circulating FASN has with blood pressure, maternal metabolism and newborn parameters in healthy pregnant women. Circulating FASN was assessed in 115 asymptomatic pregnant women in the second trimester of gestation along with C-peptide, fasting glucose and insulin, post-load glucose lipids, HMW-adiponectin and blood pressure (the latter was assessed in each trimester of gestation). At birth, newborns and placentas were weighed. FASN expression was also able to be assessed in 80 placentas. Higher circulating FASN was associated with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP), with a more favourable metabolic phenotype (lower fasting glucose and insulin, post load glucose, HbAc1, HOMA-IR and C-peptide), and with lower placental and birth weight (all p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Placental FASN expression related positively to circulating FASN (p < 0.005) and negatively to placental weight (p < 0.05). Our observations suggest a physiological role of placental FASN in human pregnancy. Future studies will clarify whether circulating FASN of placental origin does actually regulate placental and fetal growth, and (thereby) has a favourable influence on the pregnant mother’s insulin sensitivity and blood pressure.
The reproductive tracts of two malaria vectors are populated by a core microbiome and by gender- and swarm-enriched microbial biomarkers
Authors: Segata Nicola , Baldini Francesco , Pompon Julien , Garrett Wendy S. , Truong Duy Tin , Dabiré Roch K. , Diabaté Abdoulaye , Levashina Elena A. , Catteruccia Flaminia
Published: April 2016

Microbes play key roles in shaping the physiology of insects and can influence behavior, reproduction and susceptibility to pathogens. In Sub-Saharan Africa, two major malaria vectors, Anopheles gambiae and An. coluzzii, breed in distinct larval habitats characterized by different microorganisms that might affect their adult physiology and possibly Plasmodium transmission. We analyzed the reproductive microbiomes of male and female An. gambiae and An. coluzzii couples collected from natural mating swarms in Burkina Faso. 16S rRNA sequencing on dissected tissues revealed that the reproductive tracts harbor a complex microbiome characterized by a large core group of bacteria shared by both species and all reproductive tissues. Interestingly, we detected a significant enrichment of several gender-associated microbial biomarkers in specific tissues, and surprisingly, similar classes of bacteria in males captured from one mating swarm, suggesting that these males originated from the same larval breeding site. Finally, we identified several endosymbiotic bacteria, including Spiroplasma, which have the ability to manipulate insect reproductive success. Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the reproductive microbiome of important human disease vectors, and identifies a panel of core and endosymbiotic bacteria that can be potentially exploited to interfere with the transmission of malaria parasites by the Anopheles mosquito.
Gamma radiation induces hydrogen absorption by copper in water
Authors: Lousada Cláudio M. , Soroka Inna L. , Yagodzinskyy Yuriy , Tarakina Nadezda V. , Todoshchenko Olga , Hänninen Hannu , Korzhavyi Pavel A. , Jonsson Mats
Published: April 2016

One of the most intricate issues of nuclear power is the long-term safety of repositories for radioactive waste. These repositories can have an impact on future generations for a period of time orders of magnitude longer than any known civilization. Several countries have considered copper as an outer corrosion barrier for canisters containing spent nuclear fuel. Among the many processes that must be considered in the safety assessments, radiation induced processes constitute a key-component. Here we show that copper metal immersed in water uptakes considerable amounts of hydrogen when exposed to γ-radiation. Additionally we show that the amount of hydrogen absorbed by copper depends on the total dose of radiation. At a dose of 69 kGy the uptake of hydrogen by metallic copper is 7 orders of magnitude higher than when the absorption is driven by H2(g) at a pressure of 1 atm in a non-irradiated dry system. Moreover, irradiation of copper in water causes corrosion of the metal and the formation of a variety of surface cavities, nanoparticle deposits, and islands of needle-shaped crystals. Hence, radiation enhanced uptake of hydrogen by spent nuclear fuel encapsulating materials should be taken into account in the safety assessments of nuclear waste repositories.
In situ, high-resolution evidence for iron-coupled mobilization of phosphorus in sediments
Authors: Ding Shiming , Wang Yan , Wang Dan , Li Yang Yang , Gong Mengdan , Zhang Chaosheng
Published: April 2016

Reductive dissolution of phosphorus-bearing iron (Fe) (oxyhydr)oxides has been regarded as a primary mechanism responsible for the mobilization of phosphorus (P) in sediments for over 70 years. However, to date there is littlein situevidence to support this hypothesis. In this study, a total of 16 sites in the large eutrophic Lake Taihu were selected for investigation. Newly-developed diffusive gradients in thin films (ZrO-Chelex DGT) probes were deployed to simultaneously measure labile Fe and P mainly released from sediment solids at millimeter spatial resolution. Significantly positive correlations were observed between DGT-labile Fe and P at 14 sites, implying a release of P following reductive dissolution of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides. A coincident resupply of Fe(II) and P was observed from sediment solids to buffer their releases from DGT perturbance, further verifying the mechanism of Fe-coupled mobilization of P. The ratio of DGT-labile Fe/P was found to be positively correlated with the ratio of easily reducible (oxyhydr)oxide Fe to its associated P, indicating that this solid phase should retain P prior to its release. The results provide direct evidence for the coupling between Fe and P in sediments and further identify the easily reducible Fe (oxyhydr)oxide species involved in the coupling process.
A new nano-engineered hierarchical membrane for concurrent removal of surfactant and oil from oil-in-water nanoemulsion
Authors: Qin Detao , Liu Zhaoyang , Bai Hongwei , Sun Darren Delai , Song Xiaoxiao
Published: April 2016

Surfactant stabilized oil-in-water nanoemulsions pose a severe threat to both the environment and human health. Recent development of membrane filtration technology has enabled efficient oil removal from oil/water nanoemulsion, however, the concurrent removal of surfactant and oil remains unsolved because the existing filtration membranes still suffer from low surfactant removal rate and serious surfactant-induced fouling issue. In this study, to realize the concurrent removal of surfactant and oil from nanoemulsion, a novel hierarchically-structured membrane is designed with a nanostructured selective layer on top of a microstructured support layer. The physical and chemical properties of the overall membrane, including wettability, surface roughness, electric charge, thickness and structures, are delicately tailored through a nano-engineered fabrication process, that is, graphene oxide (GO) nanosheet assisted phase inversion coupled with surface functionalization. Compared with the membrane fabricated by conventional phase inversion, this novel membrane has four times higher water flux, significantly higher rejections of both oil (~99.9%) and surfactant (as high as 93.5%), and two thirds lower fouling ratio when treating surfactant stabilized oil-in-water nanoemulsion. Due to its excellent performances and facile fabrication process, this nano-engineered membrane is expected to have wide practical applications in the oil/water separation fields of environmental protection and water purification.
microRNA let-7c is essential for the anisomycin-elicited apoptosis in Jurkat T cells by linking JNK1/2 to AP-1/STAT1/STAT3 signaling
Authors: Zhou Zhiwei , Lu Xijian , Wang Jin , Xiao Jia , Liu Jing , Xing Feiyue
Published: April 2016

Anisomycin, an antibiotic produced byStreptomyces griseolus, strongly induces apoptosis in various tumor cellsin vitro, superior dramatically to adriamycin. The present study aims to elucidate its detailed mechanistic process. The results showed that anisomycin sufficiently promoted the apoptosis in human leukemic Jurkat T cells at a quite low dose. microRNA let-7c (let-7c) contributed to the anisomycin-induced apoptosis, which could be abrogated by the inactivation of JNK signaling. The let-7c over-expression and the addition of its mimics facilitated the activation of AP-1, STAT1 and Bim by linking JNK1/2 to AP-1/STAT1, but rather inhibited the activation of STAT3 and Bcl-xL by connecting JNK1/2 to STAT3, followed by the augmented apoptosis in the cells. The let-7c deficiency reduced the AP-1, STAT1 and Bim activities and enhanced the STAT3 and Bcl-xL, alleviating the anisomycin-induced apoptosis. The knockdown of thebimgene repressed the anisomycin-boosted apoptosis through the attenuation of the active Bak and Bax. The findings indicate for the first time that miR let-7c is essential for the anisomycin-triggered apoptosis by linking JNK1/2 to AP-1/STAT1/STAT3/Bim/Bcl-xL/Bax/Bak signaling. This provides a novel insight into the mechanism by which anisomycin leads to the tumor cell apoptosis, potentially laying the foundations for its development and clinical application.
Lymphatic transport of exosomes as a rapid route of information dissemination to the lymph node
Authors: Srinivasan Swetha , Vannberg Fredrik O. , Dixon J. Brandon
Published: April 2016

It is well documented that cells secrete exosomes, which can transfer biomolecules that impact recipient cells’ functionality in a variety of physiologic and disease processes. The role of lymphatic drainage and transport of exosomes is as yet unknown, although the lymphatics play critical roles in immunity and exosomes are in the ideal size-range for lymphatic transport. Through in vivo near-infrared (NIR) imaging we have shown that exosomes are rapidly transported within minutes from the periphery to the lymph node by lymphatics. Using an in vitro model of lymphatic uptake, we have shown that lymphatic endothelial cells actively enhanced lymphatic uptake and transport of exosomes to the luminal side of the vessel. Furthermore, we have demonstrated a differential distribution of exosomes in the draining lymph nodes that is dependent on the lymphatic flow. Lastly, through endpoint analysis of cellular distribution of exosomes in the node, we identified macrophages and B-cells as key players in exosome uptake. Together these results suggest that exosome transfer by lymphatic flow from the periphery to the lymph node could provide a mechanism for rapid exchange of infection-specific information that precedes the arrival of migrating cells, thus priming the node for a more effective immune response.
Hemoglobin consumption by P. falciparum in individual erythrocytes imaged via quantitative phase spectroscopy
Authors: Rinehart Matthew T. , Park Han Sang , Walzer Katelyn A. , Chi Jen-Tsan Ashley , Wax Adam
Published: April 2016

Plasmodium falciparum infection causes structural and biochemical changes in red blood cells (RBCs). To quantify these changes, we apply a novel optical technique, quantitative phase spectroscopy (QPS) to characterize individual red blood cells (RBCs) during the intraerythrocytic life cycle of P. falciparum. QPS captures hyperspectral holograms of individual RBCs to measure spectroscopic changes across the visible wavelength range (475–700 nm), providing complex information, i.e. amplitude and phase, about the light field which has interacted with the cell. The complex field provides complimentary information on hemoglobin content and cell mass, which are both found to dramatically change upon infection by P. falciparum. Hb content progressively decreases with parasite life cycle, with an average 72.2% reduction observed for RBCs infected by schizont-stage P. falciparum compared to uninfected cells. Infection also resulted in a 33.1% reduction in RBC’s optical volume, a measure of the cells’ non-aqueous components. Notably, optical volume is only partially correlated with hemoglobin content, suggesting that changes in other dry mass components such as parasite mass may also be assessed using this technique. The unique ability of QPS to discriminate individual healthy and infected cells using spectroscopic changes indicates that the approach can be used to detect disease.
Bio-inspired cofacial Fe porphyrin dimers for efficient electrocatalytic CO2 to CO conversion: Overpotential tuning by substituents at the porphyrin rings
Authors: Zahran Zaki N. , Mohamed Eman A. , Naruta Yoshinori
Published: April 2016

Efficient reduction of CO2 into useful carbon resources particularly CO is an essential reaction for developing alternate sources of fuels and for reducing the greenhouse effect of CO2. The binuclear Ni, Fe−containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODHs) efficiently catalyzes the reduction of CO2 to CO. The location of Ni and Fe at proper positions allows their cooperation for CO2 to CO conversion through a push−pull mechanism. Bio−inspired from CODHs, we used several cofacial porphyrin dimers with different substituents as suitable ligands for holding two Fe ions with suitable Fe−Fe separation distance to efficiently and selectively promote CO2 to CO conversion with high turnover frequencies, TOFs. The substituents on the porphyrin rings greatly affect the catalysis process. By introducing electron-withdrawing/-donating groups, e.g. electron-withdrawing perfluorophenyl, at all meso positions of the porphyrin rings, the catalysis overpotential, η was minimized by ≈0.3 V compared to that obtained by introducing electron-donating mesityl groups. The Fe porphyrin dimers among reported catalysts are the most efficient ones for CO2 to CO conversion. Control experiments indicate that the high performance of the current CO2 to CO conversion catalysts is due to the presence of binuclear Fe centers at suitable Fe−Fe separation distance.
Short-term mindfulness intervention reduces the negative attentional effects associated with heavy media multitasking
Authors: Gorman Thomas E. , Green C. Shawn
Published: April 2016

Recent research suggests that frequently switching between various forms of media (i.e. ‘media multitasking’) is associated with diminished attentional abilities, a disconcerting result given the prevalence of media multitasking in today’s society. In the present study, we sought to investigate the extent to which the deficits associated with frequent media multitasking can be temporarily ameliorated via a short-term mindfulness intervention previously shown to produce beneficial effects on the attentional abilities of normally functioning individuals. Consistent with previous work, we found: (1) that heavy media multitaskers showed generally poorer attentional abilities than light media multitaskers and (2) that all participants showed benefits from the short-term mindfulness intervention. Furthermore, we found that the benefits of the short-term mindfulness intervention were not equivalently large across participants. Instead, these benefits were disproportionately large in the heavy media multitaskers. While the positive outcomes were short-lived, this opens the possibility of performing long-term interventions with the goal of realizing lasting gains in this population.
Single-step cycle pulse operation of the label-free electrochemiluminescence immunosensor based on branched polypyrrole for carcinoembryonic antigen detection
Authors: Zhu Wenjuan , Wang Qi , Ma Hongmin , Lv Xiaohui , Wu Dan , Sun Xu , Du Bin , Wei Qin
Published: April 2016

A novel label-free electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor based on luminol functional-Au NPs@polypyrrole has been developed for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). In this work, polypyrrole prepared by chemical polymerization provided a large surface area to load amounts of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). Au NPs could not only attach abundant luminol for the enhancement of ECL signal, but also provide a friendly microenvironment for the immobilization of antibodies. Moreover, 1-butylpyridinium tetrafluroborate ([BPy]BF4) were used to disperse luminol functional-Au NPs@polypyrrole nanocomposites, resulting in the film-formation of composites on the electrode, which could improve the stability of immunosensor. In particular, employment of single-step cycle pulse could limit the consecutive reaction between luminol and H2O2 efficiently, thus leading to stable and strong signals. The proposed method presents good ECL response for the detection of CEA allowing a wide linear range from 0.01 pg/mL to 10 ng/mL and a limit of detection as low as 3 fg/mL. The immunosensor would be a promising tool in the early diagnosis of CEA due to its high sensitivity, simplicity and cost-effective.
Metabotypes with properly functioning mitochondria and anti-inflammation predict extended productive life span in dairy cows
Authors: Huber K. , Dänicke S. , Rehage J. , Sauerwein H. , Otto W. , Rolle-Kampczyk U. , von Bergen M.
Published: April 2016

The failure to adapt metabolism to the homeorhetic demands of lactation is considered as a main factor in reducing the productive life span of dairy cows. The so far defined markers of production performance and metabolic health in dairy cows do not predict the length of productive life span satisfyingly. This study aimed to identify novel pathways and biomarkers related to productive life in dairy cows by means of (targeted) metabolomics. In a longitudinal study from 42 days before up to 100 days after parturition, we identified metabolites such as long-chain acylcarnitines and biogenic amines associated with extended productive life spans. These metabolites are mainly secreted by the liver and depend on the functionality of hepatic mitochondria. The concentrations of biogenic amines and some acylcarnitines differed already before the onset of lactation thus indicating their predictive potential for continuation or early ending of productive life.
Common neural correlates of real and imagined movements contributing to the performance of brain–machine interfaces
Authors: Sugata Hisato , Hirata Masayuki , Yanagisawa Takufumi , Matsushita Kojiro , Yorifuji Shiro , Yoshimine Toshiki
Published: April 2016

The relationship between M1 activity representing motor information in real and imagined movements have not been investigated with high spatiotemporal resolution using non-invasive measurements. We examined the similarities and differences in M1 activity during real and imagined movements. Ten subjects performed or imagined three types of right upper limb movements. To infer the movement type, we used 40 virtual channels in the M1 contralateral to the movement side (cM1) using a beamforming approach. For both real and imagined movements, cM1 activities increased around response onset, after which their intensities were significantly different. Similarly, although decoding accuracies surpassed the chance level in both real and imagined movements, these were significantly different after the onset. Single virtual channel-based analysis showed that decoding accuracy significantly increased around the hand and arm areas during real and imagined movements and that these are spatially correlated. The temporal correlation of decoding accuracy significantly increased around the hand and arm areas, except for the period immediately after response onset. Our results suggest that cM1 is involved in similar neural activities related to the representation of motor information during real and imagined movements, except for presence or absence of sensory–motor integration induced by sensory feedback.
Flow directionality, mountain barriers and functional traits determine diatom metacommunity structuring of high mountain streams
Authors: Dong Xiaoyu , Li Bin , He Fengzhi , Gu Yuan , Sun Meiqin , Zhang Haomiao , Tan Lu , Xiao Wen , Liu Shuoran , Cai Qinghua
Published: April 2016

Stream metacommunities are structured by a combination of local (environmental filtering) and regional (dispersal) processes. The unique characters of high mountain streams could potentially determine metacommunity structuring, which is currently poorly understood. Aiming at understanding how these characters influenced metacommunity structuring, we explored the relative importance of local environmental conditions and various dispersal processes, including through geographical (overland), topographical (across mountain barriers) and network (along flow direction) pathways in shaping benthic diatom communities. From a trait perspective, diatoms were categorized into high-profile, low-profile and motile guild to examine the roles of functional traits. Our results indicated that both environmental filtering and dispersal processes influenced metacommunity structuring, with dispersal contributing more than environmental processes. Among the three pathways, stream corridors were primary pathway. Deconstructive analysis suggested different responses to environmental and spatial factors for each of three ecological guilds. However, regardless of traits, dispersal among streams was limited by mountain barriers, while dispersal along stream was promoted by rushing flow in high mountain stream. Our results highlighted that directional processes had prevailing effects on metacommunity structuring in high mountain streams. Flow directionality, mountain barriers and ecological guilds contributed to a better understanding of the roles that mountains played in structuring metacommunity.
The signatures of Anthropocene defaunation: cascading effects of the seed dispersal collapse
Authors: Pérez-Méndez Néstor , Jordano Pedro , García Cristina , Valido Alfredo
Published: April 2016

Anthropogenic activity is driving population declines and extinctions of large-bodied, fruit-eating animals worldwide. Loss of these frugivores is expected to trigger negative cascading effects on plant populations if remnant species fail to replace the seed dispersal services provided by the extinct frugivores. A collapse of seed dispersal may not only affect plant demography (i.e., lack of recruitment), but should also supress gene flow via seed dispersal. Yet little empirical data still exist demonstrating the genetic consequences of defaunation for animal-dispersed plant species. Here, we first document a significant reduction of seed dispersal distances along a gradient of human-driven defaunation, with increasing loss of large- and medium-bodied frugivores. We then show that local plant neighbourhoods have higher genetic similarity and smaller effective population sizes when large seed dispersers become extinct (i.e., only small frugivores remain) or are even partially downgraded (i.e., medium-sized frugivores providing less efficient seed dispersal). Our results demonstrate that preservation of large frugivores is crucial to maintain functional seed dispersal services and their associated genetic imprints, a central conservation target. Early signals of reduced dispersal distances that accompany the Anthropogenic defaunation forecast multiple, cascading effects on plant populations.
Sc3CH@C80: selective 13C enrichment of the central carbon atom
Authors: Junghans Katrin , Rosenkranz Marco , Popov Alexey A.
Published: April 2016

The use 13CH4 methane or the synthesis of Sc3CH@C80 enables enhanced 13C enrichment of the carbon atom in the endohedral cluster.
Usability of online-coupling ion exchange chromatography ICP-AES/-MS for the determination of trivalent metal complex species under acidic conditions
Authors: Winter C. , Seubert A.
Published: April 2016

An empirical correlation between the complex stability and ligand exchange rate allows the prediction of whether a metal complex is analyzable by chromatography.
A novel method for the measurement of degenerative chain transfer coefficients: proof of concept and experimental validation
Authors: Derboven Pieter , Van Steenberge Paul H. M. , Reyniers Marie-Françoise , Barner-Kowollik Christopher , D'hooge Dagmar R. , Marin Guy B.
Published: April 2016

A novel method is presented to determine transfer coefficients in degenerative reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization from experimental dispersity data.
Development of pipette tip-based on molecularly imprinted polymer micro-solid phase extraction for selective enantioselective determination of (−)-(2S,4R) and (+)-(2R,4S) ketoconazole in human urine samples prior to HPLC-DAD
Authors: Santos da Silva Ricky Cássio , Mano Valdir , Pereira Arnaldo César , Costa de Figueiredo Eduardo , Borges Keyller Bastos
Published: April 2016

A simple and selective sample preparation technique employing PT-MIP-μ-SPE coupled to HPLC/DAD was developed for the determination of the cis-enantiomers of ketoconazole in human urine samples.
The effect of morphology of α-MnO2 on catalytic decomposition of gaseous ozone
Authors: Jia Jingbo , Zhang Pengyi , Chen Long
Published: April 2016

The morphology effect of α-MnO2 on the catalytic decomposition of ozone was first investigated.
Solvothermal synthesis, structure and physical properties of Cs[Cr(en)2MSe4] (M = Ge, Sn) with [MSe4]4− tetrahedra as chelating ligand
Authors: Wang Yingqi , Wang Ruiqi , Liu Qinglong , Lai Xiaofang , Zhang Xian , Chen Haijie , Zheng Chong , Lin Jianhua , Huang Fuqiang
Published: April 2016

Two novol chromium chalcogenide Cs[Cr(en)2MSe4] (M = Ge, Sn) have been synthesized by solvothermal method. The magnetic properties and opto-electro properties were investigated and interpreted by DFT calculations.
Studies of viomycin, an anti-tuberculosis antibiotic: copper(ii) coordination, DNA degradation and the impact on delta ribozyme cleavage activity
Authors: Stokowa-Sołtys K. , Barbosa N. A. , Kasprowicz A. , Wieczorek R. , Gaggelli N. , Gaggelli E. , Valensin G. , Wrzesiński J. , Ciesiołka J. , Kuliński T. , Szczepanik W. , Jeżowska-Bojczuk M.
Published: April 2016

Viomycin is a basic peptide antibiotic, which is among the most effective agents against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Molecular simulation of the thermophysical properties and phase behaviour of impure CO2 relevant to CCS
Authors: Cresswell Alexander J. , Wheatley Richard J. , Wilkinson Richard D. , Graham Richard S.
Published: April 2016

Impurities from the CCS chain can greatly influence the physical properties of CO2. This has important design, safety and cost implications for the compression, transport and storage of CO2. There is an urgent need to understand and predict the properties of impure CO2 to assist with CCS implementation. However, CCS presents demanding modelling requirements. A suitable model must both accurately and robustly predict CO2 phase behaviour over a wide range of temperatures and pressures, and maintain that predictive power for CO2 mixtures with numerous, mutually interacting chemical species. A promising technique to address this task is molecular simulation. It offers a molecular approach, with foundations in firmly established physical principles, along with the potential to predict the wide range of physical properties required for CCS. The quality of predictions from molecular simulation depends on accurate force-fields to describe the interactions between CO2 and other molecules. Unfortunately, there is currently no universally applicable method to obtain force-fields suitable for molecular simulation. In this paper we present two methods of obtaining force-fields: the first being semi-empirical and the second using ab initio quantum-chemical calculations. In the first approach we optimise the impurity force-field against measurements of the phase and pressure–volume behaviour of CO2 binary mixtures with N2, O2, Ar and H2. A gradient-free optimiser allows us to use the simulation itself as the underlying model. This leads to accurate and robust predictions under conditions relevant to CCS. In the second approach we use quantum-chemical calculations to produce ab initio evaluations of the interactions between CO2 and relevant impurities, taking N2 as an exemplar. We use a modest number of these calculations to train a machine-learning algorithm, known as a Gaussian process, to describe these data. The resulting model is then able to accurately predict a much broader set of ab initio force-field calculations at comparatively low numerical cost. Although our method is not yet ready to be implemented in a molecular simulation, we outline the necessary steps here. Such simulations have the potential to deliver first-principles simulation of the thermodynamic properties of impure CO2, without fitting to experimental data.
Linear assembly of patchy and non-patchy nanoparticles
Authors: Choueiri Rachelle M. , Galati Elizabeth , Klinkova Anna , Thérien-Aubin Héloïse , Kumacheva Eugenia
Published: April 2016

Linear assemblies of nanoparticles show promising applications due to their collective electronic, optical and magnetic properties. Rational design and controllable organization of nanoparticles in one-dimensional structures can strongly benefit from the marked similarity between conventional step-growth polymerization reactions and directional step-wise assembly of nanoparticles in linear chains. Here we show different aspects of the “polymerization” approach to the solution-based self-assembly of polymer-functionalized metal nanoparticles with different chemical compositions, shapes and dimensions. The self-assembly was triggered by inducing solvophobic attraction between polymer ligands, due to the change in solvent quality. We show that both anisotropic (patchy) nanoparticles and nanoparticles uniformly capped with polymer molecules can self-assemble in linear chains. We explore the control of chain length, morphology, and composition, discuss the ability to form isotropic and hierarchical structures and show the properties and potential applications of linear assemblies of plasmonic nanoparticles.
Designing food delivery systems: challenges related to the in vitro methods employed to determine the fate of bioactives in the gut
Authors: Arranz Elena , Corredig Milena , Guri Anilda
Published: April 2016

This review discussesin vitroavailable approaches to study delivery and uptake of bioactive compounds and the associated challenges.
Solvent-free synthesis of quaternary α-hydroxy α-trifluoromethyl diazenes: the key step of a nucleophilic formylation strategy
Authors: Matador Esteban , Monge David , Fernández Rosario , Lassaletta José M.
Published: April 2016

A simple one-pot two-step strategy for the nucleophilic formylation of trifluoromethyl ketones.
Fe3O4(iron oxide)-supported nanocatalysts: synthesis, characterization and applications in coupling reactions
Authors: Sharma Rakesh K. , Dutta Sriparna , Sharma Shivani , Zboril Radek , Varma Rajender S. , Gawande Manoj B.
Published: April 2016

Fabrication of functionalized magnetite nanocomposites and their applications as catalysts for coupling reactions.
Development of porphyrin syntheses
Authors: Smith Kevin M.
Published: April 2016

Personal historical comments relating to the advancement of porphyrin syntheses using monopyrroles, dipyrroles, and open-chain tetrapyrroles are presented.
A nucleic acid strand displacement system for the multiplexed detection of tuberculosis-specific mRNA using quantum dots
Authors: Gliddon H. D. , Howes P. D. , Kaforou M. , Levin M. , Stevens M. M.
Published: April 2016

On the development of a novel multiplexed assay for Tuberculosis-specific mRNA detection using DNA strand displacement and quantum dots.
Versatile self-assembly of supramolecular block copolymers with ionic cluster junctions
Authors: Cao Xiao , Zhang Liying , Xu Tianyang , Zhang Shilin , Zhang Hao , Li Haolong , Wu Lixin
Published: April 2016

Clusto-supramolecular block copolymers were prepared by using an inorganic cluster [W6O19]2− as an ionic junction, which exhibited versatile self-assembly behaviours.
Electrochemical synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO2and methanol over carbonaceous material supported DBU in a capacitor-like cell reactor
Authors: Zhou Yingjie , Fu Zhongwei , Wang Shuanjin , Xiao Min , Han Dongmei , Meng Yuezhong
Published: April 2016

Electro-assisted synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO2and methanol under solvent-free conditions in a capacitor-like cell reactor.
Self-powered photosensing characteristics of amorphous carbon/silicon heterostructures
Authors: Hao L. Z. , Liu Y. J. , Gao W. , Han Z. D. , Xu Z. J. , Liu Y. M. , Zhu J.
Published: April 2016

A self-powered photodetector based on a a-C/Si heterojunction is fabricated. Under zero voltage, the device shows excellent photosensing characteristics with a high stability, a high detectivity and responsitivity, as well as a fast response speed.
Novel hemocompatible nanocomposite hydrogels crosslinked with methacrylated gelatin
Authors: Li Changpeng , Mu Changdao , Lin Wei
Published: April 2016

Methacrylated gelatin is developed as a macromolecular crosslinker to prepare a novel hemocompatible nanocomposite hydrogel based on polyacrylamide and LAPONITE®.
Preparation of MgO-coated nano CaO using adsorption phase reaction technique for CO2sorption
Authors: Ping Haoliang , Wang Yan , Wu Sufang
Published: April 2016

Preparation of MgO-coated nano CaO using adsorption phase reaction technique for CO2sorption.
Reliable thin-film encapsulation of flexible OLEDs and enhancing their bending characteristics through mechanical analysis
Authors: Han Yun Cheol , Jeong Eun Gyo , Kim Hyuncheol , Kwon Seonil , Im Hyeon-Gyun , Bae Byeong-Soo , Choi Kyung Cheol
Published: April 2016

Effective enhancement of the bending characteristics based on FEM analysis was demonstrated after reliable thin film encapsulation of flexible OLEDs.
Intensification effect of peroxide hydrogen on the complete dissolution of lignocellulose under mild conditions
Authors: Yuan Zhengqiu , Long Jinxing , Zhang Xinghua , Wang Tiejun , Shu Riyang , Ma Longlong
Published: April 2016

Complete dissolution of corn straw was achieved in MSEWSA+PHat 170 °C for 2.
Influence of surface chemistry on the ionic conductivity of vertically aligned carbon nanotube composite membranes
Authors: Alsawat Mohammed , Kant Krishna , Altalhi Tariq , Santos Abel , Losic Dusan
Published: April 2016

The ionic conductivity and electrochemical properties of vertically aligned CNT composite membranes produced by template-based catalyst-free chemical vapor deposition is tuned by chemical modification of their inner surfaces using simple oxidation.
Urinary UPLC-MS metabolomics dissecting the underlying mechanisms of Huaxian capsule protects against sepsis
Authors: Liang Qun , Liu Han , Xing Haitao , Jiang Yan , Zhang Ai-Hua
Published: April 2016

Urinary UPLC-MS metabolomics could dissect the underlying mechanisms of HXC protects against SS.
Rational design of graphitic carbon based nanostructures for advanced electrocatalysis
Authors: Zhang Jintao , Li Hongliang , Guo Peizhi , Ma Houyi , Zhao X. S.
Published: April 2016

The recent development of carbon-based catalysts for advanced electrocatalysis is summarized and discussed.
A single fluorescent probe for multiple analyte sensing: efficient and selective detection of CN−, HSO3−and extremely alkaline pH
Authors: Chao Jianbin , Li Zhiqing , Zhang Yongbin , Huo Fangjun , Yin Caixia , Liu Yuhong , Li Yingqi , Wang Juanjuan
Published: April 2016

A water-soluble broadly emitting (500–650 nm) fluorescent probe (IECBT) for the selective and sensitive detection of multiple analytes, including CN−, HSO3−and extremely alkaline pH, is designed and synthesized.
The assembly state and charge of amphiphilic β-sheet peptides affect blood clotting
Authors: Azoulay Ziv , Rapaport Hanna
Published: April 2016

Hydrogels composed of designed β-sheet amphiphilic peptides have been exploited in several biomedical applications. Here the peptide's charge shows influence on blood compatibility with antithrombotic or no effects on clotting blood given by the anionic and zwitterionic peptides.
Synthesis and properties of highly branched polybenzimidazoles as proton exchange membranes for high-temperature fuel cells
Authors: Ni Jiangpeng , Hu Meishao , Liu Dong , Xie Huixiong , Xiang Xiongzhi , Wang Lei
Published: April 2016

Highly branched polymers applied as low-temperature proton exchange membranes (LTPEMs) have attracted attention from researchers because of their outstanding properties.
Design of ternary alkaline-earth metal Sn(ii) oxides with potential good p-type conductivity
Authors: Li Yuwei , Singh David J. , Du Mao-Hua , Xu Qiaoling , Zhang Lijun , Zheng Weitao , Ma Yanming
Published: April 2016

Novel ternary alkaline-earth metal Sn(ii) oxides with potential good p-type conductivity are discovered with first-principles global optimization structure searches.
Pricing‐based Stackelberg game for spectrum trading in self‐organised heterogeneous networks
Authors: Haddadi Shima , Ghasemi Abdorasoul
Published: April 2016

In this study, the spectrum trading problem in a self‐organised and two‐tier heterogeneous cellular network is studied and the bandwidth sharing problem incorporated with cell range expansion technique is formulated as a Stackelberg game. Maximising the revenue of macro eNodeB (MeNB), affording minimum required bandwidth for each home eNodeB (HeNB), enhancing per femto‐user throughput, and providing better quality of service for macro‐users nearby each femto‐cell are the main objectives of this investigation. The authors propose an iterative scheme in which MeNB and HeNBs make decisions autonomously. The MeNB as the spectrum provider decides on the unit‐bandwidth price with the objective to maximise its revenue. Each HeNB, on the other side, decides on the amount of requested bandwidth as well as the number of possible nearby macro‐users which will support to take advantage of MeNB discounting. The designed discounting strategy is applied for the extra bandwidth request of HeNBs to encourage them in supporting nearby macro‐users. It is shown analytically that the proposed scheme converges to a unique Nash equilibrium which is Pareto optimal. Evaluating the authors’ game through different simulations demonstrates that it is all beneficial for both MeNB and HeNBs and the social welfare is maximised in the network.
Motion‐blurred SIFT invariants based on sampling in image deformation space and univariate search
Authors: Fu Bo , Guo Hao , Zhao Xilin , Chang Yufang , Li Bo , He Li
Published: April 2016

Scale‐invariant feature transform (SIFT) operator is a widely used algorithm to detect local features in images, yet applying this algorithm for motion‐blurred image matching is difficult and inefficient. To resolve this issue, this study presents a motion‐blurred invariant SIFT algorithm that is based on sample matching in an image deformation reconstructed space. First, the motion‐blurred equation is deduced and its controlling parameters to reconstruct the deformation space are discretised. Second, the authors matched samples in the motion‐blurred space with the blurred image to identify maximal matching points and optimal parameters. In order to improve the searching efficiency, the authors used a univariate search technique combined with a variable step hill‐climbing method to determine the optimal matching. Together, the experimental results show that this improved algorithm has superior matching performance for motion‐blurred images.
Feature matching using guidance‐constraint method
Authors: Wang Zhiheng , Wang Zhifei , Liu Hongmin , Huo Zhanqiang , Fan Bin
Published: April 2016

Image distortions and repetitive patterns widely exist in real images, which results in that feature matching is still a challenging problem though great progress has been made recently. This study presents a matching method, called guidance‐constraints method (GCM), which has obvious advantages in resolving problems of matching features on images with image distortions or repetitive patterns. In GCM, feature points are paired and connection compatibility is introduced to describe the relative geometric relations among features, and then potential matches are found by using the defined geometric guidance and are verified by using the defined geometric constraints. Experimental evaluation shows that the proposed GCM can significantly improve both the number of correct matches and correct ratio under various image transformations, especially more effective on images with distortions or containing repetitive patterns.
Assessment of cogging‐force‐reduction techniques applied to fractional‐slot linear permanent magnet motors equipped with non‐overlapping windings
Authors: Wang Qian , Wang Jiabin
Published: April 2016

Linear permanent magnet (PM) motors have increasingly been used in high performance applications where high accuracy and fast dynamic response are required. However, the presence of cogging force in linear motors compromises position and speed control accuracy, which can be particularly troublesome at low speeds. This study analyses the cogging force characteristics associated with linear PM motors having either single‐layer or double‐layer non‐overlapping windings. It is shown that the effectiveness of cogging force reduction techniques reported in literature is dependent on winding configurations. Linear PM motors with single‐layer windings generally have better potential for cogging force reduction by employing these techniques. In contrast, linear motors with double‐layer windings exhibit considerably higher tooth‐ripple cogging forces even when fractional‐slot per‐pole design is adopted. This, in turn, poses more difficulties in reducing their cogging force.