bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cellular Depletion of BRD8 Causes p53-Dependent Apoptosis and Induces a DNA Damage Response in Non-Stressed Cells
Authors: Lashgari Anahita , Fauteux Myriam , Maréchal Alexandre , Gaudreau Luc
Published: September 2018

Regulation of the chromatin state is crucial for biological processes such as the regulation of transcription, DNA replication, and DNA damage repair. Here we show that knockdown of the BRD8 bromodomain protein – a subunit of the p400/Tip60 complex - leads to p21 induction, and concomitant cell cycle arrest in G1/S. We further demonstrate that the p53 transcriptional pathway is activated in BRD8-depleted cells, and this accounts for upregulation of not only p21 but also of pro-apoptotic genes, leading to subsequent apoptosis. Importantly, the DNA damage response (DDR) is induced upon BRD8 depletion, and DNA damage foci are detectable in BRD8-depleted cells under normal growth conditions. Consistently with an activated DDR, we find that in BRD8-depleted cells, the ATM-CHK2 DDR pathway is turned on but, CHK1 proteins levels are severely reduced and replication stress is detectable as enhanced replication protein A (RPA32) phosphorylation levels. Notably, acetylation of histone H4 at K16 (H4K16ac) is reduced in BRD8-depleted cells, suggesting that BRD8 may have a role in the recruitment and/or stabilization of the p400/Tip60 complex within chromatin, thereby facilitating DNA repair. Taken together, our results suggest that BRD8 is involved not only in p53-dependent gene suppression, but also in the maintenance of genome stability.
CRISPR-typing PCR (ctPCR), a new Cas9-based DNA detection method
Authors: Wang Qiao , Zhang Beibei , Xu Xinhui , Long Feifei , Wang Jinke
Published: September 2018

This study develops a new method for detecting and typing target DNA based on Cas9 nuclease, which was named as ctPCR, representing Cas9-sgRNA- or CRISPR-typing PCR. The technique can detect and type target DNA easily, rapidly, specifically, and sensitively. This technique detects target DNA in three steps: (1) amplifying target DNA with PCR by using a pair of universal primers (PCR1); (2) treating PCR1 products with a process referred to as CAT, representing Cas9 cutting, A tailing and T adaptor ligation; (3) amplifying the CAT-treated DNA with PCR by using a pair of general-specific primers (gs-primers) (PCR2). This method was verified by detecting HPV16 and HPV18 L1 gene in 13 different high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes. This method was also verified by detecting the L1 and E6-E7 genes of two high-risk HPVs (HPV16 and 18) in cervical carcinoma cells and many clinical samples. In this method, PCR1 was performed to determine if the detected DNA sample contained the target DNA (such as virus infection), while PCR2 was performed to discriminate which genotypic target DNA was present in the detected DNA sample (such as virus subtypes). Based on these proof-of-concept experiments, this study provides a new CRISPR/Cas9-based DNA detection and typing method.
Serralysin family metalloproteases protects Serratia marcescens from predation by the predatory bacteria Micavibrio aeruginosavorus
Authors: Garcia Carlos J. , Pericleous Androulla , Elsayed Mennat , Tran Michael , Gupta Shilpi , Callaghan Jake D. , Stella Nicholas A. , Franks Jonathan M. , Thibodeau Patrick H. , Shanks Robert M. Q. , Kadouri Daniel E.
Published: September 2018

Micavibrio aeruginosavorus is an obligate Gram-negative predatory bacterial species that feeds on other Gram-negative bacteria by attaching to the surface of its prey and feeding on the prey’s cellular contents. In this study, Serratia marcescens with defined mutations in genes for extracellular cell structural components and secreted factors were used in predation experiments to identify structures that influence predation. No change was measured in the ability of the predator to prey on S. marcescens flagella, fimbria, surface layer, prodigiosin and phospholipase-A mutants. However, higher predation was measured on S. marcescens metalloprotease mutants. Complementation of the metalloprotease gene, prtS, into the protease mutant, as well as exogenous addition of purified serralysin metalloprotease, restored predation to wild type levels. Addition of purified serralysin also reduced the ability of M. aeruginosavorus to prey on Escherichia coli. Incubating M. aeruginosavorus with purified metalloprotease was found to not impact predator viability; however, pre-incubating prey, but not the predator, with purified metalloprotease was able to block predation. Finally, using flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy, we were able to confirm that the ability of the predator to bind to the metalloprotease mutant was higher than that of the metalloprotease producing wild-type. The work presented in this study shows that metalloproteases from S. marcescens could offer elevated protection from predation.
Genetic and scRNA-seq Analysis Reveals Distinct Cell Populations that Contribute to Salivary Gland Development and Maintenance
Authors: Song Eun-Ah Christine , Min Sangwon , Oyelakin Akinsola , Smalley Kirsten , Bard Jonathan E. , Liao Lan , Xu Jianming , Romano Rose-Anne
Published: September 2018

Stem and progenitor cells of the submandibular salivary gland (SMG) give rise to, maintain, and regenerate the multiple lineages of mature epithelial cells including those belonging to the ductal, acinar, basal and myoepithelial subtypes. Here we have exploited single cell RNA-sequencing and in vivo genetic lineage tracing technologies to generate a detailed map of the cell fate trajectories and branch points of the basal and myoepithelial cell populations of the mouse SMG during embryonic development and in adults. Our studies show that the transcription factor p63 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) serve as faithful markers of the basal and myoepithelial cell lineages, respectively and that both cell types are endowed with progenitor cell properties. However, p63+ basal and SMA+ myoepithelial cells exhibit distinct cell fates by virtue of maintaining different cellular lineages during morphogenesis and in adults. Collectively, our results reveal the dynamic and complex nature of the diverse SMG cell populations and highlight the distinct differentiation potential of the p63 and SMA expressing subtypes in the stem and progenitor cell hierarchy. Long term these findings have profound implications towards a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that dictate lineage commitment and differentiation programs during development and adult gland maintenance.
White matter aberrations and age-related trajectories in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder revealed by diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Tønnesen Siren , Kaufmann Tobias , Doan Nhat Trung , Alnæs Dag , Córdova-Palomera Aldo , Meer Dennis van der , Rokicki Jaroslav , Moberget Torgeir , Gurholt Tiril P. , Haukvik Unn K. , Ueland Torill , Lagerberg Trine Vik , Agartz Ingrid , Andreassen Ole A. , Westlye Lars T.
Published: September 2018

Supported by histological and genetic evidence implicating myelin, neuroinflammation and oligodendrocyte dysfunction in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SZ), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have consistently shown white matter (WM) abnormalities when compared to healthy controls (HC). The diagnostic specificity remains unclear, with bipolar disorders (BD) frequently conceptualized as a less severe clinical manifestation along a psychotic spectrum. Further, the age-related dynamics and possible sex differences of WM abnormalities in SZ and BD are currently understudied. Using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) we compared DTI-based microstructural indices between SZ (n = 128), BD (n = 61), and HC (n = 293). We tested for age-by-group and sex-by-group interactions, computed effect sizes within different age-bins and within genders. TBSS revealed global reductions in fractional anisotropy (FA) and increases in radial (RD) diffusivity in SZ compared to HC, with strongest effects in the body and splenium of the corpus callosum, and lower FA in SZ compared to BD in right inferior longitudinal fasciculus and right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, and no significant differences between BD and HC. The results were not strongly dependent on age or sex. Despite lack of significant group-by-age interactions, a sliding-window approach supported widespread WM involvement in SZ with most profound differences in FA from the late 20 s.
Deep-Ultraviolet Photodetectors Based on Epitaxial ZnGa2O4 Thin Films
Authors: Tsai Si-Han , Basu Sarbani , Huang Chiung-Yi , Hsu Liang-Ching , Lin Yan-Gu , Horng Ray-Hua
Published: September 2018

A single-crystalline ZnGa2O4 epilayer was successfully grown on c-plane (0001) sapphire substrate by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. This epilayer was used as a ternary oxide semiconductor for application in high-performance metal–semiconductor–metal photoconductive deep-ultraviolet (DUV) photodetectors (PDs). At a bias of 5 V, the annealed ZnGa2O4 PDs showed better performance with a considerably low dark current of 1 pA, a responsivity of 86.3 A/W, cut-off wavelength of 280 nm, and a high DUV-to-visible discrimination ratio of approximately 107 upon exposure to 230 nm DUV illumination than that of as-grown ZnGa2O4 PDs. The as-grown PDs presented a dark current of 0.5 mA, a responsivity of 2782 A/W at 230 nm, and a photo-to-dark current contrast ratio of approximately one order. The rise time of annealed PDs was 0.5 s, and the relatively quick decay time was 0.7 s. The present results demonstrate that annealing process can reduce the oxygen vacancy defects and be potentially applied in ZnGa2O4 film-based DUV PD devices, which have been rarely reported in previous studies.
Importance of integrity of cell-cell junctions for the mechanics of confluent MDCK II cells
Authors: Brückner Bastian Rouven , Janshoff Andreas
Published: September 2018

Intercellular junctions are important mechanical couplers between cells in epithelial layers providing adhesion and intercellular communication. Regulation of the junctions occurs in cellular processes such as layer formation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, embryogenesis, and cancer progression. Many studies addressed the role of force generation in cells for establishing lateral cell-cell junctions and the role of cellular force transmission in tissue formation and maintenance. Our atomic force microscopy- (AFM) based study shed light on the role of both, tight junctions and adherens junctions for the mechanical properties of individual epithelial cells that are part of a confluent monolayer. We found that tight junctions are important for the establishment of a functional barrier-forming layer but impairing them does not reduce the mechanical integrity of cells. Depletion of ZO-1 results in a weak increase in cortical tension. An opposite effect was observed for disruption of E-cadherin-mediated adherens junctions using DTT. Opening of adherens junctions leads to substantial alterations of cellular mechanics such as reduced overall stiffness, but these changes turned out to be reversible after re-establishing disulfide bridges in E-cadherin by removal of DTT. We found that regulatory mechanisms exist that preserve mechanical integrity during recovery of disrupted adherens junctions.
Electrochemical detection of dopamine using periodic cylindrical gold nanoelectrode arrays
Authors: Kim Da-Seul , Kang Ee-Seul , Baek Seungho , Choo Sung-Sik , Chung Yong-Ho , Lee Donghyun , Min Junhong , Kim Tae-Hyung
Published: September 2018

Dopamine is a key molecule in neurotransmission and has been known to be responsible for several neurological diseases. Hence, its sensitive and selective detection is important for the early diagnosis of diseases related to abnormal levels of dopamine. In this study, we reported a new cylindrical gold nanoelectrode (CAuNE) platform fabricated via sequential laser interference lithography and electrochemical deposition. Among the fabricated electrodes, CAuNEs with a diameter of 700 nm, 150 s deposited, was found to be the best for electrochemical dopamine detection. According to cyclic voltammetry results, the linear range of the CAuNE-700 nm was 1–100 µM of dopamine with a limit of detection (LOD) of 5.83 µM. Moreover, owing to the homogeneous periodic features of CAuNEs, human neural cells were successfully cultured and maintained for more than 5 daysin vitrowithout the use of any extracellular matrix proteins and dopamine was detectable in the presence of these cells on the electrode. Therefore, we concluded that the developed dopamine sensing platform CAuNE can be used for many applications including early diagnosis of neurological diseases; function tests of dopaminergic neurons derived from various stem cell sources; and toxicity assessments of drugs, chemicals, and nanomaterials on human neuronal cells.
Prognostic significance of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms in liver cirrhosis
Authors: Triantos Christos , Aggeletopoulou Ioanna , Kalafateli Maria , Spantidea Panagiota I. , Vourli Georgia , Diamantopoulou Georgia , Tapratzi Dimitra , Michalaki Marina , Manolakopoulos Spilios , Gogos Charalambos , Kyriazopoulou Venetsana , Mouzaki Athanasia , Thomopoulos Konstantinos
Published: September 2018

Several polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) are associated with the occurrence of chronic liver disease. Here, we investigated the association between BsmI, ApaI, TaqI and FokI VDR polymorphisms and the severity of liver cirrhosis in relation to serum cytokine and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) levels and their role on survival in cirrhotic patients. We found that patients harboring the BB genotype had higher MELD score, and they were mainly at CP stage C; patients harboring the AA genotype had increased LBP, IL-1β and IL-8 levels, and they were mostly at CP stage C; TT genotype carriers had higher MELD score and they were mainly at CP stage C and FF genotype carriers had lower IL-1β levels when compared to Bb/bb, Aa/aa, Tt/tt and Ff/ff genotypes respectively. In the multivariate analysis ApaI, BsmI and TaqI polymorphisms were independently associated with liver cirrhosis severity. In the survival analysis, the independent prognostic factors were CP score, MELD and the FF genotype. Our results indicate that the ApaI, TaqI and BsmI polymorphisms are associated with the severity of liver cirrhosis, through the immunoregulatory process. Survival is related to the FF genotype of FokI polymorphism, imparting a possible protective role in liver cirrhosis.
Genetic variant in IL-32 is associated with the ex vivo cytokine production of anti-TNF treated PBMCs from rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Damen Michelle S. M. A. , Schraa Kiki , Tweehuysen Lieke , den Broeder Alfons A. , Netea Mihai G. , Popa Calin D. , Joosten Leo A. B.
Published: September 2018

About 60% of RA patients don’t achieve good response with biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs bDMARD treatment (including TNF inhibitors, TNFi’s). Previously, a link between TNFα and interleukin (IL)-32 was reported in RA. However, the exact mechanism linking IL-32 to response to treatment as not been studied yet. Therefore, we explored the influence of a promoter single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4786370 in IL-32 on clinical responsiveness to TNFi’s in RA patients, potentially serving as new biomarker in RA. Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines by peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from RA patients and healthy individuals were studied. Moreover, “ex vivo response” and clinical response to anti-TNFα therapy (etanercept, adalimumab) were measured and stratified for the IL-32 SNP. Higher IL-32 protein production was observed in RA patients. Additionally, patients bearing the CC genotype showed higher IL-32 protein and cytokine expression. DAS28 was independent of the promoter SNP, however, the “ex vivo” cytokine response was not. IL-32 mRNA and protein production was higher in RA patients, with a trend towards higher concentrations in patients bearing the CC genotype. Furthermore, genotype dependent IL-1 beta production might predict clinical response to etanercept/adalimumab. This indicates that IL-32 could play a role in predicting response to treatment in RA.
Facile reduction of graphene oxide suspensions and films using glass wafers
Authors: Rabchinskii Maxim K. , Dideikin Arthur T. , Kirilenko Demid A. , Baidakova Marina V. , Shnitov Vladimir V. , Roth Friedrich , Konyakhin Sergei V. , Besedina Nadezhda A. , Pavlov Sergei I. , Kuricyn Roman A. , Lebedeva Natalie M. , Brunkov Pavel N. , Vul’ Alexander Ya.
Published: September 2018

This paper reports a facile and green method for conversion of graphene oxide (GO) into graphene by low-temperature heating (80 °C) in the presence of a glass wafer. Compared to conventional GO chemical reduction methods, the presented approach is easy-scalable, operationally simple, and based on the use of a non-toxic recyclable deoxygenation agent. The efficiency of the proposed method is further expanded by the fact that it can be applied for reducing both GO suspensions and large-scale thin films formed on various substrates prior to the reduction process. The quality of the obtained reduced graphene oxide (rGO) strongly depends on the type of the used glass wafer, and, particularly, magnesium silicate glass can provide rGO with the C/O ratio of 7.4 and conductivity of up to 33000 S*cm−1. Based on the data obtained, we have suggested a mechanism of the observed reduction process in terms of the hydrolysis of the glass wafer with subsequent interaction of the leached alkali and alkali earth cations and silicate anions with graphene oxide, resulting in elimination of the oxygen-containing groups from the latter one. The proposed approach can be efficiently used for low-cost bulk-quantity production of graphene and graphene-based materials for a wide field of applications.
Intermittent hypoxia regulates vasoactive molecules and alters insulin-signaling in vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Sharma Pragya , Dong Yu , Somers Virend K. , Peterson Timothy E. , Zhang Yuebo , Wang Shihan , Li Guangxi , Singh Prachi
Published: September 2018

Vascular dysfunction and insulin resistance (IR) are associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is characterized by frequent episodes of nocturnal intermittent hypoxia (IH). While it is recognized that the balance between vasoconstrictive (endothelin-1) and vasodilatory molecules (nitric oxide, NO) determine vascular profile, molecular mechanisms contributing to vascular dysfunction and IR in OSA are not completely understood. Caveolin-1 is a membrane protein which regulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity which is responsible for NO generation and cellular insulin-signaling. Hence, we examined the effects of IH on caveolin-1, eNOS, and endothelin-1 in human coronary artery endothelial cells in the context of IR. Chronic 3-day IH exposure up-regulated caveolin-1 and endothelin-1 expression while reducing NO. Also, IH altered insulin-mediated activation of AKT but not ERK resulting in increased endothelin-1 transcription. Similarly, caveolin-1 overexpression attenuated basal and insulin-stimulated NO synthesis along with impaired insulin-dependent activation of AKT and eNOS, with no effect on insulin-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation and endothelin-1 transcription. Our data suggest that IH contributes to a vasoconstrictive profile and to pathway-selective vascular IR, whereby insulin potentiates ET-1 expression. Moreover, IH may partly mediate its effects on NO and insulin-signaling via upregulating caveolin-1 expression.
Plasmon-induced hot electron transfer in AgNW@TiO2@AuNPs nanostructures
Authors: Cheng Jiaji , Li Yiwen , Plissonneau Marie , Li Jiagen , Li Junzi , Chen Rui , Tang Zikang , Pautrot-d’Alençon Lauriane , He Tingchao , Tréguer-Delapierre Mona , Delville Marie-Hélène
Published: September 2018

Compared to the limited absorption cross-section of conventional photoactive TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), plasmonic metallic nanoparticles can efficiently convert photons from an extended spectrum range into energetic carriers because of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Using these metal oxide semiconductors as shells for plasmonic nanoparticles (PNPs) that absorb visible light could extend their applications. The photophysics of such systems is performed using transient absorption measurements and steady extinction simulations and shows that the plasmonic energy transfer from the AgNWs core to the TiO2 shell results from a hot carrier injection process. Lifetimes obtained from photobleaching decay dynamics suggest that (i) the presence of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in AgNWs@TiO2@AuNPs systems can further promote the hot carrier transfer process via plasmonic coupling effects and (ii) the carrier dynamics is greatly affected by the shell thickness of TiO2. This result points out a definite direction to design appropriate nanostructures with tunable charge transfer processes toward photo-induced energy conversion applications.
Yellowstone Hot Springs are Organic Chemodiversity Hot Spots
Authors: Gonsior Michael , Hertkorn Norbert , Hinman Nancy , Dvorski Sabine E.-M. , Harir Mourad , Cooper William J. , Schmitt-Kopplin Philippe
Published: September 2018

Yellowstone National Park hydrothermal springs were investigated according to their organic geochemistry with a special focus on the Yellowstone hot spring dissolved organic matter (YDOM) that was solid-phase extracted. Here we show that YDOM has a unique chemodiversity that has not yet been observed anywhere else in aquatic surface environments and that Yellowstone hot springs are organic chemodiversity hot spots. Four main geochemically classified hot spring types (alkaline-chloride, mixed alkaline-chloride, acid-chloride-sulfate and travertine-precipitating) exhibited distinct organic molecular signatures that correlated remarkably well with the known inorganic geochemistry and manifested themselves in excitation emission matrix fluorescence, nuclear magnetic resonance, and ultrahigh resolution mass spectra. YDOM contained thousands of molecular formulas unique to Yellowstone of which 80% contained sulfur, even in low hydrogen sulfide containing alkaline-chloride springs. This unique YDOM reflects the extreme organic geochemistry present in the hydrothermal features of Yellowstone National Park.
The digital transformation of medicine can revitalize the patient-clinician relationship
Authors: Warraich Haider J. , Califf Robert M. , Krumholz Harlan M.
Published: September 2018

Health professionals within the medical community feel that the principles of humanism in medicine have not been a point of emphasis for information and computer technology in healthcare. There is concern that the electronic health record is eroding the patient-clinician relationship and distancing clinicians from their patients. New analytic technologies, on the contrary, by taking over repetitive and mundane tasks, can provide an avenue to make medical care more patient-centered by freeing clinicians’ time, and the time of the whole clinical care team, to engage with patients. Technology such as advanced speech recognition that optimizes clinicians’ workflow could revitalize the patient-clinician relationship and perhaps also improve clinician well-being. Digital phenotyping can gain invaluable additional data from patients using technology that is already used for personal reasons by the majority of patients. The digital transformation of healthcare has the potential to make healthcare more humane and personalized, however, several important steps are needed to avoid the pitfalls that have come with prior iterations of information technology in medicine such as a heightened emphasis on data security and transparency. Both patients and clinicians should be involved from the early stages of development of medical technologies to ensure that they are person-centric. Technologists and engineers developing healthcare technologies should have experiences with the delivery of healthcare and the lives of patients and clinicians. These steps are necessary to develop a common commitment to the design concept that technology and humane care are not mutually exclusive, and in fact, can be symbiotic.
A facile AuNPs@aptamer-modified mercaptosiloxane-based hybrid affinity monolith with an unusually high coverage density of aptamer for on-column selective extraction of ochratoxin A
Authors: Chi Jinxin , Chen Maolin , Deng Lijun , Lin Xucong , Xie Zenghong
Published: September 2018

A facile AuNP@aptamer-modified affinity monolith was fabricated with unusually high coverage density of aptamers for on-column high-sensitivity extraction.
Simultaneous determination of trace Cd2+ and Pb2+ using GR/l-cysteine/Bi modified screen-printed electrodes
Authors: Li Chao , Zhao Xiaole , Han Xiaojun
Published: September 2018

A GR/l-cys/Bi/SPE (reduced graphene oxide/l-cysteine/Bi/screen-printed electrode) was prepared to simultaneously determine Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions by using SWASV (square wave anodic stripping voltammetry).
Thermosensitive drug-loading system based on copper sulfide nanoparticles for combined photothermal therapy and chemotherapy in vivo
Authors: Yuan Zhenwei , Qu Sisi , He Yuanyuan , Xu Yue , Liang Li , Zhou Xiaojing , Gui Lijuan , Gu Yuqing , Chen Haiyan
Published: September 2018

A phase-change material was used to design CuS-DOX-MBA@PCM nanoparticles, which could release the drug quickly in physiological conditions.
Assembled anti-adhesion polypropylene mesh with self-fixable and degradable in situ mussel-inspired hydrogel coating for abdominal wall defect repair
Authors: Hu Wanjun , Zhang Zhigang , Lu Shenglin , Zhang Tianzhu , Zhou Naizhen , Ren Pengfei , Wang Faming , Yang Yang , Ji Zhenling
Published: September 2018

Construction of assembled anti-adhesion polypropylene mesh through in situ coating with self-fixable and degradable hydrogels.
Bismuth germanate (Bi4Ge3O12), a promising high-capacity lithium-ion battery anode
Authors: Rodriguez Jassiel R. , Belman-Rodriguez Carlos , Aguila Sergio A. , Zhang Yanning , Liu Hongxian , Pol Vilas G.
Published: September 2018

Cubic Bi4Ge3O12 lithiation-host electrode material with micron size, low surface area (3 m2 g−1) and high tap density yielded a reversible capacity of 586 mA h g−1 at a current density of 200 mA g−1 after 500 charge–discharge cycles. Density functional theory calculations detected distorted [BiO6]9− octahedra with two types of Bi–O bonds.
Visualization of mitochondrial DNA in living cells with super-resolution microscopy using thiophene-based terpyridine Zn(ii) complexes
Authors: Shen Yu , Shao Tao , Fang Bin , Du Wei , Zhang Mingzhu , Liu Jiejie , Liu Tianyan , Tian Xiaohe , Zhang Qiong , Wang Aidong , Yang Jiaxiang , Wu Jieying , Tian Yupeng
Published: September 2018

The thiophene-based terpyridine Zn(ii) complex LC targeted mitochondria by intercalative binding with mtDNA. STED super-resolution micrographs visualized mitochondrial cristae/inner matrix mtDNA.
Self-assembly of penta-selenopeptides into amyloid fibrils
Authors: Gokula Ram P. , Mahato Jaladhar , Singh Harkesh B. , Chowdhury Arindam
Published: September 2018

Here, we report the synthesis of a penta-selenopeptide consisting of five benzyl protected selenocysteine residues.
Templated synthesis of spherical RNA nanoparticles with gene silencing activity
Authors: Dore Michael D. , Fakhoury Johans J. , Lacroix Aurélie , Sleiman Hanadi F.
Published: September 2018

Bioactive RNA nanoparticles with gene silencing activity have been synthesized in high yield using a complementary spherical DNA nanoparticle.
Transcellular delivery of messenger RNA payloads by a cationic supramolecular MOF platform
Authors: Sun Peng , Li Zhen , Wang Jingyun , Gao Hui , Yang Xi , Wu Sudong , Liu Deqiang , Chen Qixian
Published: September 2018

A dendritic catiomer with a metal–organic framework motif afforded improved protection to the mRNA payloads in biological milieu.
Study of growth, defects and thermal and spectroscopic properties of Dy:GdScO3 and Dy,Tb:GdScO3 as promising 578 nm laser crystals
Authors: Peng Fang , Liu Wenpeng , Luo Jianqiao , Sun Dunlu , Chen Yuanzhi , Zhang Huili , Ding Shoujun , Zhang Qingli
Published: September 2018

Novel promising oxide candidates for 578 nm laser: Dy:GdScO3 and Dy,Tb:GdScO3 single crystals.
The nature of frontier orbitals under systematic ligand exchange in (pseudo-)octahedral Fe(ii) complexes
Authors: Jay Raphael M. , Eckert Sebastian , Fondell Mattis , Miedema Piter S. , Norell Jesper , Pietzsch Annette , Quevedo Wilson , Niskanen Johannes , Kunnus Kristjan , Föhlisch Alexander
Published: September 2018

The impact of ligand substitution on metal-ligand covalency and the valence excited state landscape is investigated using resonant inelastic soft X-ray scattering.
Non-nuclear attractors in small charged lithium clusters, Limq (m = 2–5, q = ±1), with QTAIM and the Ehrenfest force partitioning
Authors: Azizi Alireza , Momen Roya , Xu Tianlv , Kirk Steven R. , Jenkins Samantha
Published: September 2018

Non-nuclear attractors (NNAs) are demonstrated to be a persistent feature of ∇ρ(r) using quantum theory of atoms of molecules (QTAIM).
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals a new mechanism based on competitive binding between Tris and protein on a conductive biomimetic polydopamine surface
Authors: Singh Nimisha , Nayak Jyotsnamayee , Patel Khushbu , Sahoo Suban K. , Kumar Rajender
Published: September 2018

A novel mechanism was developed to study the interaction of mussel inspired polydopamine surfaces with bovine serum albumin using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Hybrid DFT investigation of the energetics of Mg ion diffusion in α-MoO3
Authors: Barnes Taylor A. , Wan Liwen F. , Kent Paul R. C. , Prendergast David
Published: September 2018

Mg ion diffusion barriers in α-MoO3 are simulated using the GGA, GGA+U, and hybrid DFT approaches.
Correction: Two-dimensional nitrides as highly efficient potential candidates for CO2 capture and activation
Authors: Morales-Salvador Raul , Morales-García Ángel , Viñes Francesc , Illas Francesc
Published: September 2018

Correction for ‘Two-dimensional nitrides as highly efficient potential candidates for CO2 capture and activation’ by Raul Morales-Salvador et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2018, 20, 17117–17124.
Seven-coordinated iron(ii) spin-crossover molecules: some learning from iron substitution in [FexMn1−x(L222N3O2)(CN)2]·H2O solid solutions
Authors: Wang Hongfeng , Baldé Chérif , Grosjean Arnaud , Desplanches Cédric , Guionneau Philippe , Chastanet Guillaume
Published: September 2018

Temperature dependence of (χMT)Fe for [FexMn1−x(L222N3O2)(CN)2]·H2O of the T(TIESST) experiment with x = 1 (in violet ), 0.949 (in blue ), 0.93 (in red ), 0.912 (in green ), 0.892 (in olive ) and 0.853 (in black ■).
Adaptable ligand donor strength: tracking transannular bond interactions in tris(2-pyridylmethyl)-azaphosphatrane (TPAP)
Authors: Thammavongsy Zachary , Cunningham Drew W. , Sutthirat Natwara , Eisenhart Reed J. , Ziller Joseph W. , Yang Jenny Y.
Published: September 2018

Flexible ligands that can adapt their donor strength have enabled unique reactivity in a wide range of inorganic complexes.
Engineered silver nanoparticles in terrestrial environments: a meta-analysis shows that the overall environmental risk is small
Authors: Wang Peng , Lombi Enzo , Menzies Neal W. , Zhao Fang-Jie , Kopittke Peter M.
Published: September 2018

The risk of engineered silver nanoparticles to terrestrial plants and fauna (including humans through trophic transfer) is small.
Flower-like 3-dimensional hierarchical Co3O4/NiO microspheres for 4-nitrophenol reduction reaction
Authors: Chinnappan Amutha , Eshkalak Saeideh Kholghi , Baskar Chinnappan , Khatibzadeh Marziyeh , Kowsari Elaheh , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: September 2018

We present flower-like 3D hierarchical Co3O4/NiO microspheres, prepared by a chemical precipitation method.
Naphthalimide-based fluorescent nanoprobes for the detection of saccharides
Authors: Qiao Zichun , Chen Zhaoyang , Zhang Shuo , Cui Zepeng , Xu Zhuoran , Zhang Weibing , Qian Junhong
Published: September 2018

Fluorescent nano probes with different sizes were synthesized for saccharides. The particle size is a major factor that affects the performance.
Immobilization of cellulase proteins on zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8)/polyvinylidene fluoride hybrid membranes
Authors: Xu Wei , Sun Zhongqiao , Meng Hao , Han Yide , Wu Junbiao , Xu Junli , Xu Yan , Zhang Xia
Published: September 2018

ZIF-8/PVDF hybrid membranes have been applied in cellulase immobilization for the first time, which improves cellulase stability with preserved activity.
Designed functionalization of reduced graphene oxide for sorption of Cr(vi) over a wide pH range: a theoretical and experimental perspective
Authors: Mondal Maloy Kr , Roy Debiprasad , Chowdhury Pranesh
Published: September 2018

The present study illustrates a clear functionalization chemistry for the synthesis of guanidine functionalized reduced graphene oxide (GfG) for sorption of Cr(VI).
Fe2O3 hollow microspheres as highly selective catalysts for the production of α-olefins
Authors: Sun Jiaqiang , Wang Pengfei , Chen Jiangang
Published: September 2018

Fe2O3 derived from Fe-glycerate with different interior structures and tunable pore sizes distinctly optimized the product selectivity.
Facile synthesis of triphenylenes and triphenylene/phenanthrene fused heteroaromatics
Authors: Gupta Vijay , Pandey Satish K. , Singh Ravi P.
Published: September 2018

Facile synthesis of triphenylene fused imidazoles, quinoxaline and phenanthro[9,10-d]-fused pyrazines via CAN-mediated oxidative cyclodehydrogenation.
Dual roles of ynoates: desymmetrization of dicarboxylic acids using trialkylamines as alkyl equivalents
Authors: Xu Xianjun , Huang Liliang , Yin Xiaoying , Van der Eycken Erik V. , Feng Huangdi
Published: September 2018

A novel method has been developed for the desymmetrization of aromatic dicarboxylic acids by employing an esterification reaction/conjugate addition of a carboxyl group to ynoates, which can trigger a coupling reaction.
Fluorescent polycatecholamine nanostructures as a versatile probe for multiphase systems
Authors: Ozhukil Kollath Vinayaraj , Derakhshandeh Maziar , Mayer Francis D. , Mudigonda Thanmayee , Islam Muhammad Naoshad , Trifkovic Milana , Karan Kunal
Published: September 2018

Shape and size controlled nanostructures are critical for nanotechnology and have versatile applications in understanding interfacial phenomena of various multi-phase systems.
Ultrasensitive fluorescent aptasensor for MUC1 detection based on deoxyribonuclease I-aided target recycling signal amplification
Authors: Zhang Jun , Ran Fengying , Zhou Wenbo , Shang Bing , Yu Fei , Wu Lun , Hu Wanbao , He Xueqin , Chen Qinhua
Published: September 2018

A novel sensing strategy for sensitive detection of mucin 1 protein (MUC1) based on deoxyribonuclease I-aided target recycling signal amplification was proposed.
Access to the β-scission rate coefficient in acrylate radical polymerization by careful scanning of pulse laser frequencies at elevated temperature
Authors: Vir Anil B. , Marien Y. W. , Van Steenberge Paul H. M. , Barner-Kowollik Christopher , Reyniers Marie-Françoise , Marin Guy B. , D'hooge Dagmar R.
Published: September 2018

A novel method to estimate the β-scission rate coefficient in acrylate radical polymerization is presented.
Visualization of oxidative injury in the mouse kidney using selective superoxide anion fluorescent probes
Authors: Lv Yun , Dan Cheng Dan Cheng , Dongdong Su Dongdong Su , Chen Mei , Yin Bin-Cheng , Yuan Lin , Zhang Xiao-Bing
Published: September 2018

Drug-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), caused by renal drug metabolism, has been regarded as a main problem in clinical pharmacology and practice.
Diarylmethane synthesis through Re2O7-catalyzed bimolecular dehydrative Friedel–Crafts reactions
Authors: Qin Qi , Xie Youwei , Floreancig Paul E.
Published: September 2018

This manuscript describes the application of Re2O7 to the syntheses of diarylmethanes from benzylic alcohols through solvolysis followed by Friedel–Crafts alkylation.
Bio-based glyco-bolaamphiphile forms a temperature-responsive hydrogel with tunable elastic properties
Authors: Baccile Niki , Van Renterghem Lisa , Le Griel Patrick , Ducouret Guylaine , Brennich Martha , Cristiglio Viviana , Roelants Sophie L. K. W. , Soetaert Wim
Published: September 2018

A new-to-nature bio-based glyco-bolaamphiphile recently produced using the genetically-engineered S. bombicola strain Δat Δsble Δfao1 spontaneously self-assembles into nanofibers below 28 °C and which entangle into a hydrogels with G′ as high as ∼104 Pa.
Relaxation of surface-tethered polymers under moderate confinement
Authors: Hartmann Johannes , Roy Tamal , Szuttor Kai , Smiatek Jens , Holm Christian , Hardt Steffen
Published: September 2018

In moderate confinement between parallel planes, the longest relaxation time of surface-tethered polymers increases with decreasing channel height.
Current reversals of active particles in time-oscillating potentials
Authors: Liao Jing-jing , Huang Xiao-qun , Ai Bao-quan
Published: September 2018

Rectification of interacting active particles is numerically investigated in a two-dimensional time-oscillating potential.
Polymers with autonomous self-healing ability and remarkable reprocessability under ambient humidity conditions
Authors: Kim Chaehoon , Ejima Hirotaka , Yoshie Naoko
Published: September 2018

A strategy of utilizing atmospheric moisture for self-healing polymers is investigated.
Organic small molecules and polymers as an electrode material for rechargeable lithium ion batteries
Authors: Bhosale Manik E. , Chae Sudong , Kim Ji Man , Choi Jae-Young
Published: September 2018

This review summarizes organic molecule-based electrode materials for rechargeable batteries.
Eutectic solvent-mediated selective synthesis of Cu–Sb–S-based nanocrystals: combined experimental and theoretical studies toward highly efficient water splitting
Authors: Ghorpade Uma V. , Suryawanshi Mahesh P. , Shin Seung Wook , Wang Xiaoming , Jo Eunae , Bae Hyojung , Park KuSung , Ha Jun-Seok , Kolekar Sanjay S. , Kim Jin Hyeok
Published: September 2018

Deep eutectic solvent-mediated selective synthesis of Cu–Sb–S-based nanocrystals for water splitting applications.
Li3Cr(MoO4)3: a NASICON-type high specific capacity cathode material for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Feng Kai , Wang Fuxiang , Zhang Hongzhang , Li Xianfeng , Zhang Huamin
Published: September 2018

A NASICON-type cathode material Li3Cr(MoO4)3 for advanced rechargeable lithium batteries shows high specific capacity.
Multifunctional amines enable the formation of polyamide nanofilm composite ultrafiltration and nanofiltration membranes with modulated charge and performance
Authors: Trivedi Jaladhi S. , Bhalani Dixit V. , Bhadu Gopala Ram , Jewrajka Suresh K.
Published: September 2018

Controlled diffusion of multifunctional amines towards the interface facilitates formation of supported ultrafiltration to nanofiltration membranes with modulated charge and performance.
Porous nanosheet wrapping for live imaging of suspension cells
Authors: Zhang Hong , Aoki Takuto , Hatano Kanae , Kabayama Kazuya , Nakagawa Masaru , Fukase Koichi , Okamura Yosuke
Published: September 2018

We propose a porous nanosheet (ultrathin polymer film) wrapping method to noninvasively immobilize suspension cells for their live imaging.
Two-dimensional optical excitations in the mixed-valence Cs2Au2I6 fully inorganic double perovskite
Authors: Giorgi Giacomo , Yamashita Koichi , Palummo Maurizia
Published: September 2018

The first dark exciton wavefunction square modulus in Cs2Au2I6.
Structure–property relationship in multi-stimuli responsive D–A–A′ benzothiazole functionalized isomers
Authors: Ekbote Anupama , Mobin Shaikh M. , Misra Rajneesh
Published: September 2018

Multichromophoric stimuli responsive D–A–A′ molecules were designed and synthesized as positional isomers p-BT, m-BT and o-BT. A comparative study of the photophysical and electronic properties has been carried out to study the effect of position.
Positive filtering for positive 2D fuzzy systems under performance
Authors: Wang Li Qun , Chen Xiaoming , Shen Jun
Published: September 2018

In this study, the problem of positive filtering is investigated for positive two‐dimensional (2D) Roesser T–S fuzzy systems under ‐induced performance. Error‐bounding positive filters are constructed to estimate the output of positive 2D T–S fuzzy systems. Firstly, a novel characterisation for asymptotic stability of the filtering error system with ‐induced performance is derived. Then, based on that characterisation, sufficient conditions are derived to design the required filters expressed by linear programming problems. Finally, the theoretical results are illustrated through a numerical example.
FxTDO ‐based non‐singular terminal sliding mode control for second‐order uncertain systems
Authors: Wu Rong , Wei Changzhu , Yang Feng , Cui Naigang , Zhang Liang
Published: September 2018

In this study, a composite robust control approach with non‐singular terminal sliding mode control and fixed‐time disturbance observer (FxTDO) is proposed for a class of second‐order non‐linear systems in the presence of matched uncertain disturbances. A bi‐limit‐weighted homogeneous FxTDO is designed based on the efficient utilisation of power functions obtained by the differentiation error amplification strategy. The FxTDO enjoys a fast convergence rate and simple parameters tuning process. By introducing the disturbance estimation to directly compensate the total disturbance in the composite control law, only a particular small gain‐based discontinuous control term is needed to guarantee the existence of sliding mode, and chattering phenomenon can be attenuated. The simulation results revealed the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Extraction of sea‐clutter and RFI regions based on image segmentation for high‐frequency sky‐wave radar
Authors: Luo Zhongtao , Wu Taifeng , He Zishu , Chen Xuyuan
Published: September 2018

To monitor the sea‐state and detect low‐speed targets beyond the line‐of‐sight limitation, high‐frequency (HF) sky‐wave radar needs to extract the sea‐clutter Doppler spectrum and suppress radio‐frequency interference (RFI). However, this is hard for traditional radar processing techniques in practice. Instead, this study proposes to tackle these problems based on image recognition methods. By converting the range‐Doppler (RD) map into a grey image, the extraction of sea‐clutter and RFI regions becomes two problems of image segmentation. The sea‐clutter region is extracted by the distance regularised level set evolution algorithm, based on a binary image which uses threshold segmentation to roughly classify sea‐clutter pixels and noise pixels. To extract the RFI region, the authors develop a straight line detection algorithm which employs the LOG operator to mitigate the sea‐clutter and highlight the RFI lines. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approaches are effective in the RD map with undesired RFI lines near the sea‐clutter.
Joint range–velocity deception jamming suppression for SIMO radar
Authors: Huang Datong , Cui Guolong , Yu Xianxiang , Ge Mengmeng , Kong Lingjiang
Published: September 2018

This study deals with the problem of range–velocity joint deception jamming suppression for a single‐input multiple‐output (SIMO) radar system. The Doppler diversity and spatial geometric correlation are exploited to distinguish the jamming and multiple moving targets. First, the echoes in each receiver are mapped into range–Doppler plane by pulse compression and slow‐time Fourier transform operations. Then, in each receiver, the range and Doppler frequency of the targets are extracted. Third, based on differences between the physical target echoes and the jamming signals in both range and Doppler dimensions, two identification algorithms are developed to discriminate the false targets in fusion centre. Finally, through numerical simulations, the performance of the proposed suppression scheme is evaluated, showing its capability to suppress the range–velocity joint deception jamming and locate the multiple physical targets with high precision.
RPM and Doppler‐based multi‐path exploitation method for UWB TWR
Authors: Setsu Masafumi , Kidera Shouhei
Published: September 2018

Through‐the‐wall radar (TWR) with ultra‐wideband (UWB) signals is a promising technology for three‐dimensional monitoring systems used for rescue and security applications. To develop a suitable imaging algorithm to deal with UWB radar data, the range points migration (RPM) method was enhanced for the TWR observation model. However, there are some problems in the actual application because multiple reflection signals from the walls or targets produce a ghost image. This research extends the RPM‐based TWR imaging method to convert a ghost image to an accurate one by exploiting the double‐bounced signals discriminated by the Doppler velocity. Such discrimination can be achieved by prior estimations for the motion and location of the target provided by the Doppler‐associated RPM algorithm. The finite‐difference time‐domain‐based numerical simulation, with the assumption of multiple surrounding walls, demonstrated that the authors proposed method produced an accurate object by converting a ghost image to an actual image.
Interfacial energy as a selection mechanism for minimizing gradient Young measures in a one-dimensional model problem
Authors: Della Porta Francesco
Published: September 2018

Energy functionals describing phase transitions in crystalline solids are often non-quasiconvex and minimizers might therefore not exist. On the other hand, there might be infinitely many gradient Young measures, modelling microstructures, generated by minimizing sequences, and it is an open problem how to select the physical ones.

In this work we consider the problem of selecting minimizing sequences for a one-dimensional three-well problemε. We introduce a regularizationεεofεwith anε-small penalization of the second derivatives, and we obtain asε↓ 0 its Γ-limit and, under some further assumptions, the Γ-limit of a suitably rescaled version ofεε. The latter selects a unique minimizing gradient Young measure of the former, which is supported just in two wells and not in three. We then show that some assumptions are necessary to derive the Γ-limit of the rescaled functional, but not to prove that minimizers ofεεgenerate, asε↓ 0, Young measures supported just in two wells and not in three.
Analysis of energy efficiency of photovoltaic installation in central Poland
Authors: Sarniak Mariusz
Published: September 2018

The paper analyzes the electricity generation from photovoltaic micro-installation, which was not subjected to any maintenance operations such as cleaning or periodic change of the PV panel tilt angle, recorded in the years: 2015-2017. The PV micro-installation presented is a system called On-Grid, i.e. it is connected to a low voltage power network, and the PV generator is built from the two most commonly used types of PV modules: from mono- and polycrystalline silicon. Data sets for relative energy yields combined and broken down into PV generator manufacturing technologies were analyzed. The results of the measurements were also divided into percentage amounts of generated energy in two time intervals: "summer" months from April to September (on average over 80% of generated electricity) and others recognized as “winter”. This division was also made for two technologies of making a PV generator.
Study on the Causes and Countermeasures of Power Loss of Photovoltaic Modules
Authors: Yan Zuo , Peng Dong
Published: September 2018

In this paper, major causes of photovoltaic modules power lose are divided into two basic categories during encapsulation, the optical power lose and electrical power lose. The effect of encapsulating materials on the power lose of photovoltaic modules is analyzed by comparative test. The result shows that these some encapsulating materials have a great effect on the photovoltaic power loss. Calculation of electrical power loss is carried out in this paper. It is shown that the power loss of the interconnection solder ribbon plays a dominant role in electrical power loss.