bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solvent Effect on the Assembly of Two Cadmium(II) Coordination Polymers Derived from 3,3′‐(Diazenediyl)dibenzoic Acid: Syntheses, Structures, Stabilities, and Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Ma Feng‐Ji , Yu Cai‐Xia , Feng Xi , Hu Cui‐Fang , Shi Yun‐Feng , He Mei , Liu Lei‐Lei 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAbstract. Two cadmium(II) coordination polymers, {CdL2[(CH3)2NH2]2·2DMF}n (1) and {[Cd3L4[(CH3)2NH2]2]·EtOH·2DMF}n (2) were synthesized from the solvothermal reactions of Cd(OAc)2·2H2O with 3,3′‐(diazenediyl)dibenzoic acid (H2L) in different solvents. Both complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, TG analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In compound 1, central cadmium(II) atoms were linked with the surrounding L ligands to generate an infinite 1D chain with repeated rings. Compound 2 displayed a 3D threefold interpenetrating framework based on cage‐like [Cd3L6]8 species and exhibited a 41263 topological structure. The results demonstrated that the different solvents had significant effect on the construction of different coordination compounds from the same components. In addition, they exhibited excellent stability and good photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution under UV irradiation.
Crystal Structure of the Dietary Supplement Ferrous Glycine Sulfate
Authors: Dinnebier Robert E. , Runčevski Tomče , Hinrichsen Bernd 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe crystal structure of ferrous glycine sulfate (a ferroglycine sulfate complex with chemical formula FeSO4(C2H5NO2), a compound extensively used as an iron dietary supplement, was refined from synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction data. The crystal structure of an (so‐far unreported) isostructural manganese analogue was also structurally detailed by a Rietveld refinement against the corresponding X‐ray powder diffraction pattern. All studied compounds crystallize in the monoclinic P21 space group, building layers of metal cations coordinated by the oxygen atoms of sulfate groups and glycine ligands. Neighboring layers are parallel packed, bonded by hydrogen bonds. The coordination polyhedra around the cations can be regarded as distorted and elongated octahedral, presumably due to severe strains present in the crystal structure of the layers.
Oxidative Stability of Microencapsulated Kenaf Seed Oil Using Co‐extrusion Technology
Authors: Chew Sook‐Chin , Nyam Kar‐Lin 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of microencapsulation (via co‐extrusion technology using high methoxyl pectin‐enhanced alginate as a shell formulation) on the storage stability and antioxidant properties of kenaf seed oil. Microencapsulated kenaf seed oil (MKSO) and unencapsulated oil were stored at 25 °C for 28 days and at 65 °C for 24 days. The oils were then subjected to stability and quality evaluation based on peroxide, p‐anisidine, and total oxidation values, conjugated diene and triene levels, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, free fatty acids, total phenolic content, and the radical scavenging activity assays of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid). The results showed that there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in oxidation and a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of antioxidant activity in the unencapsulated oil while oxidation changes generally occurred more slowly in MKSO. It was demonstrated that the current microencapsulation method is a feasible approach to enhance oxidative stability of kenaf seed oil.
On the risks associated with wear quantification using profilometers equipped with skid tracers
Authors: Bellantonio M. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
In this study a wear track was generated on aluminium by rubbing it against a hard steel ball. The generated wear track has a typical depth of 50 μm and exhibits marked ridges on its borders. The cross section profiles were measured using two different stylus profilometers equipped either with skidless or skid probes and compared to a skidless reference instrument. It was found that the use of a skid probe can introduce significant distortion of the measured wear track profiles and thus errors in wear quantification. The reason for that is attributed to the presence of the ridges that, by elevating the skid, alter artificially the reference height used for profile measurement.
In-School Sustainability Action: Climate Clever Energy Savers
Authors: Buchanan John , Schuck Sandy , Aubusson Peter 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe mandate for living sustainably is becoming increasingly urgent. This article reports on the Climate Clever Energy Savers (CCES) Program, a student-centred, problem- and project-based program in New South Wales, Australia, aimed at enabling school students to identify ways of reducing their schools’ electricity consumption and costs. As part of the program, students apply for Department of Education and Communities funds to address issues of electricity usage, such as building or appliance modifications, or education campaigns. In particular, this article focuses on the systemic approach used to assist teachers and students in meeting the aims of the CCES program, the Sustainability Action Process (SAP). To ascertain the contribution and value of such a framework in achieving project outcomes and associated learning and attitudinal change, we investigated teachers’ and some students’ uses and opinions of the SAP via surveys (n= 434), 16 interviews, and analysis of documents such as student work samples and lesson outlines. Our research indicates that the SAP has been a highly effective, enabling and engaging tool in helping students to identify ways and means of reducing electricity consumption and evaluating their effectiveness, as well as identifying allies and other sources of assistance in carrying out their projects.
A Case Study Using 10Be-26Al Exposure Dating at the Xi’an AMS Center
Authors: Zhang Li , Wu Zhenkun , Chang Hong , Li Ming , Dong Guocheng , Fu Yunchong , Zhao Guoqing , Zhou Weijian 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTExposure age dating using in situ10Be and 26Al is a very useful technique for dating fluvial terraces. This is especially true in semiarid regions where other methods suffer from a paucity of suitable dating materials. This article describes sample preparation procedures and analytical benchmarks established at the Xi’an Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) Center for the study of in situ10Be and 26Al. Four intercomparison samples were analyzed in the study, using an improved sample preparation method. The exposure age results are shown to be in good agreement with published data, and demonstrate the reliability of the dating method. This article also presents new 10Be and 26Al results from quartz samples collected from a series of fluvial terraces from Guanshan River, along the Qilian Shan, northeastern Tibetan Plateau. The ages of three fluvial terraces from the Jinfosi site are shown to be (56.4±5.3) ka for T3, (10.7±1.0) ka for T2, and (7.2±1.0) ka for T1. The dating results are consistent with published data from the same region (10Be, 14C, and optically stimulated luminescence dating methods). A comparison of high-resolution climate records with age constraints for the terrace formation shows a close relationship between terrace formation and climate change.
Evaluating the potential effectiveness of alternative management scenarios in ape habitat
Authors: IMONG INAOYOM , KÜHL HJALMAR S. , ROBBINS MARTHA M. , MUNDRY ROGER 
Published: January 2016

SUMMARYChoosing appropriate management strategies and effective conservation actions requires information about the future consequences of current conservation actions; however, this crucial information is rarely available to conservation planners. This study applies scenario planning and agent-based modelling (ABM) to assess the potential impact of alternative management strategies on future suitability and functional connectivity of Cross River gorilla (CRG) habitat in the Nigeria–Cameroon border region. The CRG population is small and fragmented, with many subpopulations and migration corridors located outside protected areas. This study used ABM to simulate human land use in the study area over a period of 15 years under different management scenarios and assessed the impact on future suitability and functional connectivity of CRG habitat. The simulations showed that a landscape approach with greater focus on interventions to change human behaviour towards conserving gorillas and sustainable forest use would result in greater improvement in habitat suitability and functional connectivity compared to focusing on improving law enforcement within existing protected areas. However, the best scenarios were when both law enforcement and behaviour change increased. The results highlight the importance of human behaviour change to conservation in human-dominated landscapes and can inform conservation planning and management of other species and in similar landscapes.
Percutaneous transcatheter snare vegetectomy in a child
Authors: Saltık I. Levent , Atik Sezen U. , Eroglu Ayşe G. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSurgical vegetectomy may be indicated in patients with unresolving sepsis, heart failure, recurrent embolism, or the presence of large vegetations >10 mm in size. Percutaneous vegetectomy using a snare may be a reasonable option instead of open-heart surgery in selected patients. We describe the case of a patient with operated tetralogy of Fallot and infective endocarditis who underwent vegetectomy via a percutaneous approach.
Reduction of aberrant NF-κB signalling ameliorates Rett syndrome phenotypes in Mecp2-null mice
Authors: Kishi Noriyuki , MacDonald Jessica L. , Ye Julia , Molyneaux Bradley J. , Azim Eiman , Macklis Jeffrey D. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractMutations in the transcriptional regulator Mecp2 cause the severe X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome (RTT). In this study, we investigate genes that function downstream of MeCP2 in cerebral cortex circuitry, and identify upregulation of Irak1, a central component of the NF-κB pathway. We show that overexpression of Irak1 mimics the reduced dendritic complexity of Mecp2-null cortical callosal projection neurons (CPN), and that NF-κB signalling is upregulated in the cortex with Mecp2 loss-of-function. Strikingly, we find that genetically reducing NF-κB signalling in Mecp2-null mice not only ameliorates CPN dendritic complexity but also substantially extends their normally shortened lifespan, indicating broader roles for NF-κB signalling in RTT pathogenesis. These results provide new insight into both the fundamental neurobiology of RTT, and potential therapeutic strategies via NF-κB pathway modulation.
High dose CD11c-driven IL15 is sufficient to drive NK cell maturation and anti-tumor activity in a trans-presentation independent manner
Authors: Polansky Julia K. , Bahri Rajia , Divivier Mylene , Duitman Erwin H. , Vock Christina , Goyeneche-Patino Diego A. , Orinska Zane , Bulfone-Paus Silvia 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe common gamma (γc)-chain cytokine interleukin 15 (IL15) is a multifunctional immune-modulator which impacts the generation, maturation and activity of many cell types of the innate, as well as the adaptive immune system, including natural killer (NK) and CD8+ T cells. Using a new series of transgenic mice, we analyzed the in vivo potential of IL15 as an immune-regulator when available at different concentrations or delivery modes, i.e. soluble monomer or complexed to its specific receptor α (Rα)-chain. We have identified distinct effects on selected IL15-responsive populations. While CD8+ T cells required complexed forms of IL15/IL15Rα for full functionality, mature NK populations were rescued in an IL15/IL15Rα-deficient environment by high levels of CD11c-restricted IL15. These IL15-conditions were sufficient to limit tumor formation in a lung metastasis model indicating that the NK cell populations were fully functional. These data underline the potential of “free” IL15 in the absence of Rα-complex as a powerful and specific immuno-modulator, which may be beneficial where selective immune-activation is desired.
Molecular evolution of gas cavity in [NiFeSe] hydrogenases resurrected in silico
Authors: Tamura Takashi , Tsunekawa Naoki , Nemoto Michiko , Inagaki Kenji , Hirano Toshiyuki , Sato Fumitoshi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractOxygen tolerance of selenium-containing [NiFeSe] hydrogenases (Hases) is attributable to the high reducing power of the selenocysteine residue, which sustains the bimetallic Ni–Fe catalytic center in the large subunit. Genes encoding [NiFeSe] Hases are inherited by few sulphate-reducing δ-proteobacteria globally distributed under various anoxic conditions. Ancestral sequences of [NiFeSe] Hases were elucidated and their three-dimensional structures were recreated in silico using homology modelling and molecular dynamic simulation, which suggested that deep gas channels gradually developed in [NiFeSe] Hases under absolute anaerobic conditions, whereas the enzyme remained as a sealed edifice under environmental conditions of a higher oxygen exposure risk. The development of a gas cavity appears to be driven by non-synonymous mutations, which cause subtle conformational changes locally and distantly, even including highly conserved sequence regions.
Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of heat killed Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) on various human cancer cell lines
Authors: Subramaniam Menaga , In Lionel L A , Kumar Ashutosh , Ahmed Niyaz , Nagoor Noor Hasima 
Published: January 2016

AbstractMycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) is a non-pathogenic mycobacterium, which has been tested on several cancer types like lung and bladder where tumour regression and complete recovery was observed. In discovering the potential cytotoxic elements, a preliminary test was carried out using four different fractions consisting of live bacteria, culture supernatant, heat killed bacteria and heat killed culture supernatant of MIP against two human cancer cells A549 and CaSki by 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Apoptosis was investigated in MCF-7 and ORL-115 cancer cells by poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and DNA fragmentation assays. Among four MIP fractions, only heat killed MIP fraction (HKB) showed significant cytotoxicity in various cancer cells with inhibitory concentration, IC50 in the range 5.6–35.0 μl/(1.0 × 106 MIP cells/ml), while cytotoxicity effects were not observed in the remaining fractions. HKB did not show cytotoxic effects on non-cancerous cells contrary to cancerous cells, suggesting its safe usage and ability to differentially recognize between these cells. Evaluation on PARP assay further suggested that cytotoxicity in cancer cells were potentially induced via caspase-mediated apoptosis. The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of MIP HKB have indicated that this fraction can be a good candidate to further identify effective anti-cancer agents.
Muscle contraction phenotypic analysis enabled by optogenetics reveals functional relationships of sarcomere components in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Hwang Hyundoo , Barnes Dawn E. , Matsunaga Yohei , Benian Guy M. , Ono Shoichiro , Lu Hang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe sarcomere, the fundamental unit of muscle contraction, is a highly-ordered complex of hundreds of proteins. Despite decades of genetics work, the functional relationships and the roles of those sarcomeric proteins in animal behaviors remain unclear. In this paper, we demonstrate that optogenetic activation of the motor neurons that induce muscle contraction can facilitate quantitative studies of muscle kinetics in C. elegans. To increase the throughput of the study, we trapped multiple worms in parallel in a microfluidic device and illuminated for photoactivation of channelrhodopsin-2 to induce contractions in body wall muscles. Using image processing, the change in body size was quantified over time. A total of five parameters including rate constants for contraction and relaxation were extracted from the optogenetic assay as descriptors of sarcomere functions. To potentially relate the genes encoding the sarcomeric proteins functionally, a hierarchical clustering analysis was conducted on the basis of those parameters. Because it assesses physiological output different from conventional assays, this method provides a complement to the phenotypic analysis of C. elegans muscle mutants currently performed in many labs; the clusters may provide new insights and drive new hypotheses for functional relationships among the many sarcomere components.
Combination of the Manifold Dimensionality Reduction Methods with Least Squares Support vector machines for Classifying the Species of Sorghum Seeds
Authors: Chen Y. M. , Lin P. , He J. Q. , He Y. , Li X.L. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis study was carried out for rapid and noninvasive determination of the class of sorghum species by using the manifold dimensionality reduction (MDR) method and the nonlinear regression method of least squares support vector machines (LS-SVM) combing with the mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) techniques. The methods of Durbin and Run test of augmented partial residual plot (APaRP) were performed to diagnose the nonlinearity of the raw spectral data. The nonlinear MDR methods of isometric feature mapping (ISOMAP), local linear embedding, laplacian eigenmaps and local tangent space alignment, as well as the linear MDR methods of principle component analysis and metric multidimensional scaling were employed to extract the feature variables. The extracted characteristic variables were utilized as the input of LS-SVM and established the relationship between the spectra and the target attributes. The mean average precision (MAP) scores and prediction accuracy were respectively used to evaluate the performance of models. The prediction results showed that the ISOMAP-LS-SVM model obtained the best classification performance, where the MAP scores and prediction accuracy were 0.947 and 92.86%, respectively. It can be concluded that the ISOMAP-LS-SVM model combined with the MIRS technique has the potential of classifying the species of sorghum in a reasonable accuracy.
Apolipoprotein E epsilon 2 allele and low serum cholesterol as risk factors for gastric cancer in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Kang Ranran , Li Ping , Wang Tingting , Li Xinxiu , Wei Zichen , Zhang Zhenlian , Zhong Li , Cao Longlong , Heckman Michael G. , Zhang Yun-Wu , Xu Huaxi , Huang Changming , Bu Guojun , Chen Xiao-Fen 
Published: January 2016

AbstractApolipoprotein E (apoE) mediates lipid metabolism both in peripheral and in the brain. The human APOE gene has three polymorphic alleles that influence the risk for various types of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. A potential association between APOE allele and the risk for gastric cancer has been implicated, but the specific allele involved and potential associations with the subtype and the grade of cancer malignancy need further clarification. We screened the APOE genotype in 550 gastric cancer patients and 550 non-cancer control individuals and found that the presence of the APOE ε2 and lower serum total cholesterol are associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer (all P ≤ 0.0005). Interestingly, APOE ε2 is also correlated with increased risk for both intestinal and diffuse histotypes but not with TN classification or stage in gastric cancer patients, suggesting that APOE polymorphic alleles are associated with the risk of development but unlikely the progression of gastric cancer. Since ε2 carriers have lower levels of serum total cholesterol than non-ε2 carriers, our findings suggest that the increased risk for gastric cancer by APOE ε2 allele might be mediated through lowered serum total cholesterol levels.
Transition metal-free intramolecular regioselective couplings of aliphatic and aromatic C-H bonds
Authors: Tian Hua , Yang Haijun , Zhu Changjin , Fu Hua 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCross-dehydrogenative couplings of two different C-H bonds have emerged as an attractive goal in organic synthesis. However, achieving regioselective C-H activation is a great challenge because C-H bonds are ubiquitous in organic compounds. Actually, the regioselective couplings promoted by enzymes are a common occurrence in nature. Herein, we have developed simple, efficient and general transition metal-free intramolecular couplings of alphatic and aromatic C-H bonds. The protocol uses readily available aryl triazene as the radical initiator, cheap K2S2O8 as the oxidant and the couplings were performed well with excellent tolerance of functional groups. Interestingly, α-carbon configuration of some amino acid residues in the substrates was kept after the reactions and the couplings for substrates with substituted phenylalanine residues exhibited complete β-carbon diastereoselectivity for induction of the chiral α-carbon. Therefore, the present study should provide a novel strategy for regioselective cross-dehydrogenative couplings of two different C-H bonds.
A Reliable Hybrid Adsorbent for Efficient Radioactive Cesium Accumulation from Contaminated Wastewater
Authors: Awual Md. Rabiul , Yaita Tsuyoshi , Miyazaki Yuji , Matsumura Daiju , Shiwaku Hideaki , Taguchi Tomitsugu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCesium (Cs) removal from nuclear liquid wastewater has become an emerging issue for safeguarding public health after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. A novel macrocyclic ligand of o-benzo-p-xylyl-22-crown-6-ether (OBPX22C6) was developed and successfully immobilized onto mesoporous silica for the preparation of hybrid adsorbent. The benzene ring π electron is the part of crown ether of OBPX22C6 for easy orientation of the macrocyclic compound for making the π electron donation with Cs complexation. The potential and feasibility of the hybrid adsorbent as being Cs selective was evaluated in terms of sensitivity, selectivity and reusability. The results clarified that the Cs removal process was rapid and reached saturation within a short time. Considering the effect of competitive ions, sodium (Na) did not markedly affect the Cs adsorption whereas potassium (K) was slightly affected due to the similar ionic radii. However, the oxygen in long ethylene glycol chain in OBPX22C6 was expected to show strong coordination, including Cs-π interaction with Cs even in the presence of the high amount of K and Na. Due to its high selectivity and reusability, significant volume reduction is expected as this promising hybrid adsorbent is used for Cs removal in Fukushima wastewater.
Ruthenium nanoparticles decorated curl-like porous carbons for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Lou Bih-Show , Veerakumar Pitchaimani , Chen Shen-Ming , Veeramani Vediyappan , Madhu Rajesh , Liu Shang-Bin 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe synthesis of highly dispersed and stable ruthenium nanoparticles (RuNPs; ca. 2–3 nm) on porous activated carbons derived from Moringa Oleifera fruit shells (MOC) is reported and were exploited for supercapacitor applications. The Ru/MOC composites so fabricated using the biowaste carbon source and ruthenium acetylacetonate as the co-feeding metal precursors were activated at elevated temperatures (600–900 oC) in the presence of ZnCl2 as the pore generating and chemical activating agent. The as-prepared MOC carbonized at 900 oC was found to possess a high specific surface area (2522 m2 g−1) and co-existing micro- and mesoporosities. Upon incorporating RuNPs, the Ru/MOC nanocomposites loaded with modest amount of metallic Ru (1.0–1.5 wt%) exhibit remarkable electrochemical and capacitive properties, achiving a maximum capacitance of 291 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 in 1.0 M H2SO4 electrolyte. These highly stable and durable Ru/MOC electrodes, which can be facily fabricated by the eco-friendly and cost-effective route, should have great potentials for practical applications in energy storage, biosensing and catalysis.