Preferred growth orientation of metallic fcc nanowires under direct and alternating electrodeposition conditions

Gold and copper nanowires were generated through electrochemical deposition into nanoporous polymeric templates. Depending on the growth conditions, such wires exhibited a distinct textured structure as evidenced by x-ray diffraction. The preferred growth orientation is explained by applying the broken-bond model in combination with surface-energy anisotropy and energy minimization. During the growth process, the aspect ratio of the cylindrical nanowire and thus the area of the mantle surface and its contribution to the total surface energy increase. Under direct current deposition conditions, [Formula: see text] textured metallic fcc nanowires represent the configuration of lowest surface energy at aspect ratios above?1. Under alternating current deposition conditions, {110} nanowire base surfaces vanish due to their high surface energy, leading to successive development of a [Formula: see text] texture as the configuration of lowest energy at aspect ratios above 5.     

Fabrication of functional nano-patterned surfaces by a combination of plasma processes and electron-beam lithography

This work presents a method for the fabrication of well defined chemically active nano-patterned surfaces. Electron-beam lithography has been combined with plasma-based processes in order to create sub-micron carboxylic functional areas over a non-bio-adhesive matrix. Characterization of the patterned surface by several surface analysis techniques reveals that this patterning technique is compatible with the plasma polymerization process in order to fabricate chemically active features with lateral size down to 300?nm. Moreover, experiments with a model protein (bovine serum albumin) on the patterned surfaces show preferential adhesion on the active region indicating the ability of this method for the design of biosensing platforms.     

Selective Inhibitors of Glutathione Transferase P1 with Trioxane Structure as Anticancer Agents

The response to chemotherapy in cancer patients is frequently compromised by drug resistance. Although chemoresistance is a multifactorial phenomenon, many studies have demonstrated that altered drug metabolism through the expression of phase II conjugating enzymes, including glutathione transferases (GSTs), in tumor cells can be directly correlated with resistance against a wide range of marketed anticancer drugs. In particular, overexpression of glutathione transferase P1 (GSTP1) appears to be a factor for poor prognosis during cancer therapy. Former and ongoing clinical trials have confirmed GSTP1 inhibition as a principle for antitumor therapy. A new series of 1,2,4‐trioxane GSTP1 inhibitors were designed via a type II photooxygenation route of allylic alcohols followed by acid‐catalyzed peroxyacetalization with aldehydes. A set of novel inhibitors exhibit low micromolar to high nanomolar inhibition of GSTP1, revealing preliminary SAR for further lead optimization. Importantly, high selectivity over another two human GST classes (GSTA1 and GSTM2) has been achieved. The trioxane GSTP1 inhibitors may therefore serve as a basis for the development of novel drug candidates in overcoming chemoresistance.     

Murine K2P5.1 Deficiency Has No Impact on Autoimmune Neuroinflammation due to Compensatory K2P3.1- and KV1.3-Dependent Mechanisms

Lymphocytes express potassium channels that regulate physiological cell functions, such as activation, proliferation and migration. Expression levels of K_2P5.1 (TASK2; KCNK5) channels belonging to the family of two-pore domain potassium channels have previously been correlated to the activity of autoreactive T lymphocytes in patients with multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In humans, K_2P5.1 channels are upregulated upon T cell stimulation and influence T cell effector functions. However, a further clinical translation of targeting K_2P5.1 is currently hampered by a lack of highly selective inhibitors, making it necessary to evaluate the impact of KCNK5 in established preclinical animal disease models. We here demonstrate that K_2P5.1 knockout (K_2P5.1^−/−) mice display no significant alterations concerning T cell cytokine production, proliferation rates, surface marker molecules or signaling pathways. In an experimental model of autoimmune neuroinflammation, K_2P5.1^−/− mice show a comparable disease course to wild-type animals and no major changes in the peripheral immune system or CNS compartment. A compensatory upregulation of the potassium channels K_2P3.1 and K_V1.3 seems to counterbalance the deletion of K_2P5.1. As an alternative model mimicking autoimmune neuroinflammation, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the common marmoset has been proposed, especially for testing the efficacy of new potential drugs. Initial experiments show that K_2P5.1 is functionally expressed on marmoset T lymphocytes, opening up the possibility for assessing future K_2P5.1-targeting drugs.     

Sesamin Supplementation Increases White Muscle Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Levels in Rainbow Trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>) Fed High Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) Containing Vegetable Oil: Metabolic Actions

The effects of including an equi-mixture of sesamin and episesamin in fish diets based on vegetable oils of different fatty acid composition were examined. Sesamin/episesamin (hereafter named sesamin) was included at 0.58 g/100 g diet. The oil used in the feed was either a mixture of linseed and sunflower oils (6:4, by vol) or 100% linseed oil. Addition of sesamin increased the percentages of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in white muscle phospholipid and triacylglycerol fraction by up to 37% but the fatty acids in red muscle and liver were not affected. The expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor PPARalpha was significantly down regulated in the liver of the fish fed sesamin and mixed oil diet (P < 0.05). Sesamin and episesamin were detected in liver and muscle tissues of the fish that had been fed sesamin. Fish fed sesamin had elevated levels of total cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and EROD activity in the liver, indicating an induction of CYP1A in this tissue. Our conclusion was that supplementation of fish feed with sesamin increased the proportions of DHA in the white muscle.     

Recognition ROCs are curvilinear—or are they? On premature arguments against the two-high-threshold model of recognition.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 37(5) of Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition (see record 2011-14286-001). The authors reconstructed 59 data sets from published studies in which response bias had been manipulated experimentally. These data were fit with signal detection theory (SDT) and a two high-threshold model (2HTM). However, the G2 statistic for SDT fits was misspecified, and there were some errors in the reconstructed frequencies. These errors are corrected in the erratum.] [Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition on July 11 2011 (see record 2011-14286-001). The authors reconstructed 59 data sets from published studies in which response bias had been manipulated experimentally. These data were fit with signal detection theory (SDT) and a twohigh- threshold model (2HTM). However, the G2 statistic for SDT fits was misspecified, and there were some errors in the reconstructed frequencies. (The authors are greatly indebted to David Kellen, who noticed these issues and cross-checked the corrections.) Below are corrected results; the authors also (a) separately analyzed read and anagram word data from Buchner et al.’s (1995) Experiments 1 and 2, and (b) included reconstructed binary response results from Curran et al. (2007), Experiment 3. All data sets were reanalyzed by minimizing G2 for SDT and 2HTM using various routines with converging results. Rather than presenting a corrected version of the complete 4-page appendix table in Bro¨der and Schu¨tz, the new G2 values are reported following the same order as the originally tabled studies from top to bottom, but with four instead of two data sets from Buchner et al. and four instead of three from Curran et al. Square brackets indicate which values stem from the same literature source to further facilitate their correct assignment.] Recent reviews of recognition receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) claim that their curvilinear shape rules out threshold models of recognition. However, the shape of ROCs based on confidence ratings is not diagnostic to refute threshold models, whereas ROCs based on experimental bias manipulations are. Also, fitting predicted frequencies to actual data is a more sensitive method for model comparisons than ROC regressions. In a reanalysis of 59 published data sets, the 2-high-threshold model (2HTM) fit the data better than an unequal variance signal detection model in about half of the cases. Three recognition experiments with experimental bias manipulation were conducted that yielded linear ROCs and a better fit of the 2HTM in all cases. On the basis of actual data and a simulation, the authors argue that both models are at least equally valid as measurement tools and can perhaps be integrated theoretically. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

An integrated optimisation for the weight,the structural performance and the cost of composite structures

An integrated optimisation methodology is proposed to optimise the manufacturing cost as well as the structural performance and the weight of composite laminated plates manufactured by the resin transfer moulding (RTM) process. In the present approach, the fibre type, the number of fabrics, the layer stacking sequence and the fibre volume fraction are optimised to minimise the structural weight and the material cost of composite structure under the stiffness constraint and the mould filling time constraint which is a part of process cycle time. With the results obtained, it is investigated how the weight and the material cost are traded-off. The optimisation methodology suggests a guide to cost-effective material selection in the preliminary conceptual design stage.     

Hollow Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) Fibers Produced by Melt Spinning

Native and nucleated PHB has been melt‐spun and the properties of the resulting fibers have been investigated. Biocompatible nucleating agents such as HAP and THY were compared to BN as a reference material. DSC was used to investigate the non‐isothermal crystallization kinetics as a function of processing temperature and cooling rate. It was found that particularly the choice of process temperature can ensure sufficient primary crystallization of native PHB: heating not higher than 10–15 K above the melting temperature induced a favorable crystallization behavior of native PHB. Thus, melt spinning at low process temperatures without additives was demonstrated to be the key to the formation of well‐defined hollow PHB fibers.