bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elasticity of Ferropericlase across the Spin Crossover in the Earth’s Lower Mantle
Authors: Yang Jing , Tong Xinyue , Lin Jung-Fu , Okuchi Takuo , Tomioka Naotaka
Published: December 2015

Knowing the elasticity of ferropericlase across the spin transition can help explain seismic and mineralogical models of the lower-mantle including the origin of seismic heterogeneities in the middle to lowermost parts of the lower mantle1,2,3,4. However, the effects of spin transition on full elastic constants of ferropericlase remain experimentally controversial due to technical challenges in directly measuring sound velocities under lower-mantle conditions1,2,3,4,5. Here we have reliably measured both VP and VS of a single-crystal ferropericlase ((Mg0.92,Fe0.08)O) using complementary Brillouin Light Scattering and Impulsive Stimulated Light Scattering coupled with a diamond anvil cell up to 96 GPa. The derived elastic constants show drastically softened C11 and C12 within the spin transition at 40–60 GPa while C44 is not affected. The spin transition is associated with a significant reduction of the aggregate VP/VS via the aggregate VP softening because VS softening does not visibly occur within the transition. Based on thermoelastic modelling along an expected geotherm, the spin crossover in ferropericlase can contribute to 2% reduction in VP/VS in a pyrolite mineralogical model in mid lower-mantle. Our results imply that the middle to lowermost parts of the lower-mantle would exhibit enhanced seismic heterogeneities due to the occurrence of the mixed-spin and low-spin ferropericlase.
iTRAQ proteomic analysis of extracellular matrix remodeling in aortic valve disease
Authors: Martin-Rojas Tatiana , Mourino-Alvarez Laura , Alonso-Orgaz Sergio , Rosello-Lleti Esther , Calvo Enrique , Lopez-Almodovar Luis Fernando , Rivera Miguel , Padial Luis R. , Lopez Juan Antonio , Cuesta Fernando de la , Barderas Maria G.
Published: December 2015

Degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common worldwide cause of valve replacement. The aortic valve is a thin, complex, layered connective tissue with compartmentalized extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by specialized cell types, which directs blood flow in one direction through the heart. There is evidence suggesting remodeling of such ECM during aortic stenosis development. Thus, a better characterization of the role of ECM proteins in this disease would increase our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Aortic valve samples were collected from 18 patients which underwent aortic valve replacement (50% males, mean age of 74 years) and 18 normal control valves were obtained from necropsies (40% males, mean age of 69 years). The proteome of the samples was analyzed by 2D-LC MS/MS iTRAQ methodology. The results showed an altered expression of 13 ECM proteins of which 3 (biglycan, periostin, prolargin) were validated by Western blotting and/or SRM analyses. These findings are substantiated by our previous results demonstrating differential ECM protein expression. The present study has demonstrated a differential ECM protein pattern in individuals with AS, therefore supporting previous evidence of a dynamic ECM remodeling in human aortic valves during AS development.
Exploring molecular variation in Schistosoma japonicum in China
Authors: Young Neil D. , Chan Kok-Gan , Korhonen Pasi K. , Min Chong Teik , Ee Robson , Mohandas Namitha , Koehler Anson V. , Lim Yan-Lue , Hofmann Andreas , Jex Aaron R. , Qian Baozhen , Chilton Neil B. , Gobert Geoffrey N. , McManus Donald P. , Tan Patrick , Webster Bonnie L. , Rollinson David , Gasser Robin B.
Published: December 2015

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects more than 200 million people worldwide. The main disease-causing agents, Schistosoma japonicum, S. mansoni and S. haematobium, are blood flukes that have complex life cycles involving a snail intermediate host. In Asia, S. japonicum causes hepatointestinal disease (schistosomiasis japonica) and is challenging to control due to a broad distribution of its snail hosts and range of animal reservoir hosts. In China, extensive efforts have been underway to control this parasite, but genetic variability in S. japonicum populations could represent an obstacle to eliminating schistosomiasis japonica. Although a draft genome sequence is available for S. japonicum, there has been no previous study of molecular variation in this parasite on a genome-wide scale. In this study, we conducted the first deep genomic exploration of seven S. japonicum populations from mainland China, constructed phylogenies using mitochondrial and nuclear genomic data sets and established considerable variation between some of the populations in genes inferred to be linked to key cellular processes and/or pathogen-host interactions. Based on the findings from this study, we propose that verifying intraspecific conservation in vaccine or drug target candidates is an important first step toward developing effective vaccines and chemotherapies against schistosomiasis.
Optogenetics-enabled assessment of viral gene and cell therapy for restoration of cardiac excitability
Authors: Ambrosi Christina M. , Boyle Patrick M. , Chen Kay , Trayanova Natalia A. , Entcheva Emilia
Published: December 2015

Multiple cardiac pathologies are accompanied by loss of tissue excitability, which leads to a range of heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias). In addition to electronic device therapy (i.e. implantable pacemakers and cardioverter/defibrillators), biological approaches have recently been explored to restore pacemaking ability and to correct conduction slowing in the heart by delivering excitatory ion channels or ion channel agonists. Using optogenetics as a tool to selectively interrogate only cells transduced to produce an exogenous excitatory ion current, we experimentally and computationally quantify the efficiency of such biological approaches in rescuing cardiac excitability as a function of the mode of application (viral gene delivery or cell delivery) and the geometry of the transduced region (focal or spatially-distributed). We demonstrate that for each configuration (delivery mode and spatial pattern), the optical energy needed to excite can be used to predict therapeutic efficiency of excitability restoration. Taken directly, these results can help guide optogenetic interventions for light-based control of cardiac excitation. More generally, our findings can help optimize gene therapy for restoration of cardiac excitability.
Origin of marine planktonic cyanobacteria
Authors: Sánchez-Baracaldo Patricia
Published: December 2015

Marine planktonic cyanobacteria contributed to the widespread oxygenation of the oceans towards the end of the Pre-Cambrian and their evolutionary origin represents a key transition in the geochemical evolution of the Earth surface. Little is known, however, about the evolutionary events that led to the appearance of marine planktonic cyanobacteria. I present here phylogenomic (135 proteins and two ribosomal RNAs), Bayesian relaxed molecular clock (18 proteins, SSU and LSU) and Bayesian stochastic character mapping analyses from 131 cyanobacteria genomes with the aim to unravel key evolutionary steps involved in the origin of marine planktonic cyanobacteria. While filamentous cell types evolved early on at around 2,600–2,300 Mya and likely dominated microbial mats in benthic environments for most of the Proterozoic (2,500–542 Mya), marine planktonic cyanobacteria evolved towards the end of the Proterozoic and early Phanerozoic. Crown groups of modern terrestrial and/or benthic coastal cyanobacteria appeared during the late Paleoproterozoic to early Mesoproterozoic. Decrease in cell diameter and loss of filamentous forms contributed to the evolution of unicellular planktonic lineages during the middle of the Mesoproterozoic (1,600–1,000 Mya) in freshwater environments. This study shows that marine planktonic cyanobacteria evolved from benthic marine and some diverged from freshwater ancestors during the Neoproterozoic (1,000–542 Mya).
True and Perceived Synchrony are Preferentially Associated With Particular Sensory Pairings
Authors: Noel Jean-Paul , Wallace Mark T. , Orchard-Mills Emily , Alais David , Van der Burg Erik
Published: December 2015

Perception and behavior are fundamentally shaped by the integration of different sensory modalities into unique multisensory representations, a process governed by spatio-temporal correspondence. Prior work has characterized temporal perception using the point in time at which subjects are most likely to judge multisensory stimuli to be simultaneous (PSS) and the temporal binding window (TBW) over which participants are likely to do so. Here we examine the relationship between the PSS and the TBW within and between individuals and within and between three sensory combinations: audiovisual, audiotactile and visuotactile. We demonstrate that TBWs correlate within individuals and across multisensory pairings, but PSSs do not. Further, we reveal that while the audiotactile and audiovisual pairings show tightly related TBWs, they also exhibit a differential relationship with respect to true and perceived multisensory synchrony. Thus, audiotactile and audiovisual temporal processing share mechanistic features yet are respectively functionally linked to objective and subjective synchrony.
Magnetically Controllable Polymer Nanotubes from a Cyclized Crosslinker for Site-Specific Delivery of Doxorubicin
Authors: Newland Ben , Leupelt Daniel , Zheng Yu , Thomas Laurent S. V. , Werner Carsten , Steinhart Martin , Wang Wenxin
Published: December 2015

Externally controlled site specific drug delivery could potentially provide a means of reducing drug related side effects whilst maintaining, or perhaps increasing therapeutic efficiency. The aim of this work was to develop a nanoscale drug carrier, which could be loaded with an anti-cancer drug and be directed by an external magnetic field. Using a single, commercially available monomer and a simple one-pot reaction process, a polymer was synthesized and crosslinked within the pores of an anodized aluminum oxide template. These polymer nanotubes (PNT) could be functionalized with iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic manipulation, without affecting the large internal pore, or inherent low toxicity. Using an external magnetic field the nanotubes could be regionally concentrated, leaving areas devoid of nanotubes. Lastly, doxorubicin could be loaded to the PNTs, causing increased toxicity towards neuroblastoma cells, rendering a platform technology now ready for adaptation with different nanoparticles, degradable pre-polymers and various therapeutics.
Honey bee microRNAs respond to infection by the microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae
Authors: Huang Qiang , Chen Yanping , Wang Rui Wu , Schwarz Ryan S. , Evans Jay D.
Published: December 2015

In order to study the effects ofNosema ceranaeinfection on honey bee microRNA (miRNA) expression, we deep-sequenced honey bee miRNAs daily across a full 6-day parasite reproduction cycle. Seventeen miRNAs were differentially expressed in honey bees infected byN. ceranaethat potentially target over 400 genes predicted to primarily involve ion binding, signaling, the nucleus, transmembrane transport and DNA binding. Based on Enzyme Code analysis, nine biological pathways were identified by screening target genes against the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, seven of which involved metabolism. Our results suggest that differentially expressed miRNAs regulate metabolism related genes of host honey bees in response toN. ceranaeinfection.
Transcriptomes reveal the genetic mechanisms underlying ionic regulatory adaptations to salt in the crab-eating frog
Authors: Shao Yong , Wang Li-Jun , Zhong Li , Hong Mei-Ling , Chen Hong-Man , Murphy Robert W. , Wu Dong-Dong , Zhang Ya-Ping , Che Jing
Published: December 2015

The crab-eating frog,Fejervarya cancrivora, is the only frog that lives near seas. It tolerates increased environmental concentrations of sodium, chloride and potassium partly by raising ion and urea levels in its blood plasma. The molecular mechanism of the adaptation remains rarely documented. Herein, we analyze transcriptomes of the crab-eating frog and its closely related saline-intolerant species,F. limnocharis, to explore the molecular basis of adaptations to such extreme environmental conditions. Analyses reveal the potential genetic mechanism underlying the adaptation to salinity for the crab-eating frog. Genes in categories associated with ion transport appear to have evolved rapidly inF. cancrivora. Both positively selected and differentially expressed genes exhibit enrichment in the GO category regulation of renal sodium excretion. In this category, the positively selected sites ofANPEPandAVPR2encode CD13 and V2 receptors, respectively; they fall precisely on conserved domains. More differentially expressed rapidly evolved genes occur in the kidney ofF. cancrivorathan inF. limnocharis. Four genes involved in the regulation of body fluid levels show signs of positive selection and increased expression. Significant up-regulation occurs in several genes ofF. cancrivoraassociated with renin-angiotensin system and aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption pathways, which relate to osmotic regulation.
Delivery of miR-34a by chitosan/PLGA nanoplexes for the anticancer treatment of multiple myeloma
Authors: Cosco Donato , Cilurzo Felisa , Maiuolo Jessica , Federico Cinzia , Di Martino Maria Teresa , Cristiano Maria Chiara , Tassone Pierfrancesco , Fresta Massimo , Paolino Donatella
Published: December 2015

The encapsulation of miR-34a into chitosan/PLGA nanoparticles in order to obtain nanoplexes useful for the modulation of the biopharmaceutical features of the active compound was studied. The nanoplexes were obtained through nanoprecipitation and were characterized by a mean diameter of ~160 nm, a good size distribution and a positive surface charge. The structure of the nanoparticles allowed a high level of entrapment efficiency of the miR-34a and provided protection of the genetic material from the effects of RNase. A high degree of transfection efficiency of the nanoplexes and a significant in vitro antitumor effect against multiple myeloma cells was demonstrated. The therapeutic properties of the nanoplexes were evaluated in vivo against human multiple myeloma xenografts in NOD-SCID mice. The systemic injection of miR-34a mimic-loaded nanoparticles significantly inhibited tumor growth and translated into improved survival of the laboratory mice. RT-PCR analysis carried out on retrieved tumors demonstrated the presence of a high concentration of miR-34a mimics. The integrity of the nanoplexes remained intact and no organ toxicity was observed in treated animals.
Absence of Elovl6 attenuates steatohepatitis but promotes gallstone formation in a lithogenic diet-fed Ldlr−/− mouse model
Authors: Kuba Motoko , Matsuzaka Takashi , Matsumori Rie , Saito Ryo , Kaga Naoko , Taka Hikari , Ikehata Kei , Okada Naduki , Kikuchi Takuya , Ohno Hiroshi , Han Song-iee , Takeuchi Yoshinori , Kobayashi Kazuto , Iwasaki Hitoshi , Yatoh Shigeru , Suzuki Hiroaki , Sone Hirohito , Yahagi Naoya , Arakawa Yoji , Fujimura Tsutomu , Nakagawa Yoshimi , Yamada Nobuhiro , Shimano Hitoshi
Published: December 2015

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that can develop into liver cirrhosis and cancer. Elongation of very long chain fatty acids (ELOVL) family member 6 (Elovl6) is a microsomal enzyme that regulates the elongation of C12–16 saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (FAs). We have previously shown that Elovl6 plays an important role in the development of hepatic insulin resistance and NASH by modifying FA composition. Recent studies have linked altered hepatic cholesterol homeostasis and cholesterol accumulation to the pathogenesis of NASH. In the present study, we further investigated the role of Elovl6 in the progression of lithogenic diet (LD)-induced steatohepatitis. We showed that the absence of Elovl6 suppresses hepatic lipid accumulation, plasma total cholesterol and total bile acid (BA) levels in LDL receptor-deficient (Ldlr−/−) mice challenged with a LD. The absence of Elovl6 also decreases hepatic inflammation, oxidative stress and liver injury, but increases the formation of cholesterol crystals in the less dilated gallbladder. These findings suggest that Elovl6-mediated changes in hepatic FA composition, especially oleic acid (C18:1n-9), control handling of hepatic cholesterol and BA, which protects against hepatotoxicity and steatohepatitis, but promotes gallstone formation in LD-fed Ldlr−/− mice.
An integrated network of Arabidopsis growth regulators and its use for gene prioritization
Authors: Sabaghian Ehsan , Drebert Zuzanna , Inzé Dirk , Saeys Yvan
Published: December 2015

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms that govern plant growth has been an important topic in plant research and current advances in large-scale data generation call for computational tools that efficiently combine these different data sources to generate novel hypotheses. In this work, we present a novel, integrated network that combines multiple large-scale data sources to characterize growth regulatory genes in Arabidopsis, one of the main plant model organisms. The contributions of this work are twofold: first, we characterized a set of carefully selected growth regulators with respect to their connectivity patterns in the integrated network, and, subsequently, we explored to which extent these connectivity patterns can be used to suggest new growth regulators. Using a large-scale comparative study, we designed new supervised machine learning methods to prioritize growth regulators. Our results show that these methods significantly improve current state-of-the-art prioritization techniques and are able to suggest meaningful new growth regulators. In addition, the integrated network is made available to the scientific community, providing a rich data source that will be useful for many biological processes, not necessarily restricted to plant growth.
Synchrotron FTIR micro-spectroscopy for structural analysis of Lewy bodies in the brain of Parkinson’s disease patients
Authors: Araki Katsuya , Yagi Naoto , Ikemoto Yuka , Yagi Hisashi , Choong Chi-Jing , Hayakawa Hideki , Beck Goichi , Sumi Hisae , Fujimura Harutoshi , Moriwaki Taro , Nagai Yoshitaka , Goto Yuji , Mochizuki Hideki
Published: December 2015

Lewy bodies (LBs), which mainly consist of α-synuclein (α-syn), are neuropathological hallmarks of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The fine structure of LBs is unknown and LBs cannot be made artificially. Nevertheless, many studies have described fibrillisation using recombinant α-syn purified from E. coli. An extremely fundamental problem is whether the structure of LBs is the same as that of recombinant amyloid fibrils. Thus, we used synchrotron Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy (FTIRM) to analyse the fine structure of LBs in the brain of PD patients. Our results showed a shift in the infrared spectrum that indicates abundance of a β-sheet-rich structure in LBs. Also, 2D infrared mapping of LBs revealed that the content of the β-sheet structure is higher in the halo than in the core and the core contains a large amount of proteins and lipids.
Investigation of the structural characterization and reversible oxygenation mechanism of oxygenated cobalt–3-(4-thiazolyl)-l-alanine and cobalt–histidine complexes using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Fu Jihong , Fu Pei , Yue Fan , Zhang Xulong , Wang Jide , Zhang Xincun , Li Junfang
Published: December 2015

A new ESI-MS method was developed to identify oxygenated species in Co–Tza formed by the uptake of dioxygen. The structures and fragmentation mechanisms of Co–Tza and Co–His were deduced.
pH- and NIR light responsive nanocarriers for combination treatment of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy
Authors: Wang Sheng , Yang Weitao , Cui Jing , Li Xue , Dou Yan , Su Lin , Chang Jin , Wang Hanjie , Li Xiaodong , Zhang Bingbo
Published: December 2015

Upconversion nanoparticle loaded folate-conjugated polymeric lipid vesicles are promising nanocarriers for tumor combination therapy applications.
Topology-guided design of an anionic bor-network for photocatalytic [Ru(bpy)3]2+ encapsulation
Authors: Wang Xuan , Lu Weigang , Gu Zhi-Yuan , Wei Zhangwen , Zhou Hong-Cai
Published: December 2015

An anionic metal–organic framework, PCN-99, has been synthesized through a topology-guided strategy; its underlying bor-net is realized by the use of a tetrahedral [In(COO)4]− node and a judiciously designed trigonal planar linker.
Incorporation of O6-methylguanine restricts the conformational conversion of the human telomere G-quadruplex under molecular crowding conditions
Authors: Zhao Andong , Zhao Chuanqi , Tateishi-Karimata Hisae , Ren Jinsong , Sugimoto Naoki , Qu Xiaogang
Published: December 2015

O6-methylguanine incorporation impeded the conformational conversion of G-quadruplex from a hybrid to a parallel structure under molecular crowding conditions.
Relaxation dynamics of helium nanodroplets after photodissociation of a dopant homonuclear diatomic molecule. The case of Cl2@(4He)N
Authors: Vilà Arnau , González Miguel , Mayol Ricardo
Published: December 2015

The quantum (TDDFT) dynamics of the relaxation process (Δt ∼ 500 ps) of excited helium nanodroplets was studied for the first time.
Quantum dynamics of the pick up process of atoms by superfluid helium nanodroplets: the Ne + (4He)1000system
Authors: Vilà Arnau , González Miguel , Mayol Ricardo
Published: December 2015

The quantum dynamics of neon atom capture by a superfluid helium-4 nanodroplet has been theoretically investigated using a hybrid method.
Observation of oxygen dimers via energy transfer from silicon nanoparticles
Authors: Aliev Gazi N. , Amonkosolpan Jamaree , Wolverson Daniel
Published: December 2015

Energy transfer from photo-excited excitons confined in silicon nanoparticles to oxygen dimers adsorbed on the nanoparticle surfaces is studied as a function of temperature and magnetic field.
Supramolecular aggregates with distinct optical properties from PDI oligomers of similar structures
Authors: Yan Qifan , Cai Kang , Zhao Dahui
Published: December 2015

Perylenediimide oligomers comprising different linkers exhibit J- and H-aggregates, which is proposed to arise from subtle supramolecular structure differences.
Bactericidal mechanism of nanopatterned surfaces
Authors: Li Xinlei
Published: December 2015

Cicada wing-like nanopatterned surfaces can kill bacteria on contact based on their physical surface structure.
Raman spectroscopic features of the neutral vacancy in diamond from ab initio quantum-mechanical calculations
Authors: Baima Jacopo , Zelferino Alessandro , Olivero Paolo , Erba Alessandro , Dovesi Roberto
Published: December 2015

Ab initio calculations of the Raman spectrum of the neutral vacancy in diamond reproduce observed spectral features of irradiated diamond up to the first-order peak.
Correction: The importance of hydration and DNA conformation in interpreting infrared spectra of cells and tissues
Authors: Wood Bayden R.
Published: December 2015

Correction for ‘The importance of hydration and DNA conformation in interpreting infrared spectra of cells and tissues’ by Bayden R. Wood et al., Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5cs00511f.
Benzoindolium–triarylborane conjugates: a ratiometric fluorescent chemodosimeter for the detection of cyanide ions in aqueous medium
Authors: Arivazhagan C. , Borthakur Rosmita , Jagan R. , Ghosh Sundargopal
Published: December 2015

A new ratiometric fluorescent chemodosimeter has been synthesized and characterized that exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity toward CN− ions in aqueous medium.
Oxidation of phenyl and hydride ligands of bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium derivatives by nitrous oxide via selective oxygen atom transfer reactions: insights from quantum chemistry calculations
Authors: Xie Hujun , Liu Chengcheng , Yuan Ying , Zhou Tao , Fan Ting , Lei Qunfang , Fang Wenjun
Published: December 2015

Frontier molecular orbital theory analysis indicates that N2O is activated by nucleophilic attack by the phenyl or hydride ligand.
Cooperative reduction by Ln2+ and Cp*− ions: synthesis and properties of Sm, Eu, and Yb complexes with 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone
Authors: Pushkarevsky Nikolay A. , Ogienko Mikhail A. , Smolentsev Anton I. , Novozhilov Igor N. , Witt Alexander , Khusniyarov Marat M. , Cherkasov Vladimir K. , Konchenko Sergey N.
Published: December 2015

Reactions of lantanocenes LnCp2*(thf)n with the title o-quinone result in either dinuclear (Sm3+,Yb3+) or trinuclear mixed-valent (Eu2+/Eu3+) catecholates.
The synthesis of di-carboxylate esters using continuous flow vortex fluidics
Authors: Britton Joshua , Dalziel Stuart B. , Raston Colin L.
Published: December 2015

Faraday wave assisted flow chemistry. Vibrations and shear stress drive the synthesis of di-esters in minutes using room temperature vortex fluidics.
Simultaneous Determination of Trace Elements and Lead Isotopes in Fused Silicate Rock Powders Using a Boron Nitride Vessel and fsLA-(MC)-ICP-MS
Authors: Zhian Bao , Honglin Yuan , Chunlei Zong , Ye Liu , Kaiyun Chen , Yulin Zhang
Published: December 2015

A new glass-making method was developed to allow the in situ analysis of trace elements and lead isotopes in rock samples.
Microfluidic assessment of mechanical cell damage by extensional stress
Authors: Bae Young Bok , Jang Hye Kyeong , Shin Tae Hwan , Phukan Geetika , Tran Thanh Tinh , Lee Gwang , Hwang Wook Ryol , Kim Ju Min
Published: December 2015

A novel microfluidic method to accurately assess the cell damage under controlled extensional stress, simulating the bubble bursting process in bioreactors.
Phenotypic changes associated with the fitness cost in antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli strains
Authors: Suzuki Shingo , Horinouchi Takaaki , Furusawa Chikara
Published: December 2015

Background: the acquisition of antibiotic resistance in bacterial cells is often accompanied with a reduction of fitness in the absence of antibiotics, known as the “fitness cost”.
Novel quinoline-derived mTOR inhibitors with remarkable enzymatic and cellular activities: design, synthesis and biological evaluation
Authors: Ma Xiao-Dong , Qiu Ni , Yang Bo , He Qiao-Jun , Hu Yong-Zhou
Published: December 2015

Compound 24, obtained via a ring-opening strategy, exhibited both attractive mTOR potency and superior cellular activity to initial lead 9.
Amyloid β derived switch-peptides as a tool for investigation of early events of aggregation: a combined experimental and theoretical approach
Authors: Paul Ashim , Sharma Bhanita , Mondal Tanmay , Thalluri Kishore , Paul Sandip , Mandal Bhubaneswar
Published: December 2015

π → π stacking interaction takes place prior to aggregation as the early event of amyloid aggregation of amyloidogenic peptides.
Broadband photoresponse promoted by interfacial electron transfer in diketopyrrolopyrrole-based compound/ZnO hybrid nanocomposites
Authors: Lin Hongtao , Wu Yishi , Yu Zhenyi , Fu Hongbing
Published: December 2015

High photoresponse covering the UV-vis region was realized in the TTDPP/ZnO hybrid system, which is attributed to the efficient cascade electron transfer process.
Synthetic approaches towards alkaloids bearing α-tertiary amines
Authors: Hager Anastasia , Vrielink Nina , Hager Dominik , Lefranc Julien , Trauner Dirk
Published: December 2015

The α-tertiary amine (ATA) is a prominent structural motif in many well-known alkaloids. Its chemistry is comprehensively reviewed.
Addressing asymmetry of the charge and strain in a two-dimensional fullerene peapod
Authors: Valeš V. , Verhagen T. , Vejpravová J. , Frank O. , Kalbáč M.
Published: December 2015

Correlation of the local changes in strain and doping with local roughness in a two-dimensional fullerene peapod.
Optical identification of layered MoS2via the characteristic matrix method
Authors: Li Yuanxin , Dong Ningning , Zhang Saifeng , Wang Kangpeng , Zhang Long , Wang Jun
Published: December 2015

The characteristic matrix method is demonstrated to be effective and reliable for the calculation of the optical contrast of 2D materials on various substrates. This work provides a guide for the selection of the illumination wavelength or the substrate when observing the 2D materials by using optical microscopy.
Facile synthesis of aza-spirocyclopropanyl oxindoles by the reaction of 3-(2-bromoethyl)-indole with 2,3-dimethylimidazole-1-sulfonyl azide triflate
Authors: Shen Mei-Hua , Xu Ke , Sun Chu-Han , Xu Hua-Dong
Published: December 2015

3-(2-Bromoethyl)indole reacts with 2,3-dimethylimidazole-1-sulfonyl azide triflate and then with an alcohol or amine to afford the corresponding aza-spirooxindole sulfonate and sulfonamide.
Borondifluoride complexes of hemicurcuminoids as bio-inspired push–pull dyes for bioimaging
Authors: Kim Eunsun , Felouat Abdellah , Zaborova Elena , Ribierre Jean-Charles , Wu Jeong Weon , Senatore Sébastien , Matthews Cédric , Lenne Pierre-François , Baffert Carole , Karapetyan Artak , Giorgi Michel , Jacquemin Denis , Ponce-Vargas Miguel , Guennic Boris Le , Fages Frédéric , D'Aléo Anthony
Published: December 2015

Synthesis, properties and biological imaging of hemicurcuminoid are presented.
Nanostructured oxyhydroxide niobium (NbO2OH) as UV radiation protector for polypropylene
Authors: Souza Samara D. , Pereira Iaci M. , Rodrigues Ana Pacheli H. , Oliveira Luiz C. A. , Boaventura Tulio P. , Souza Alexandre R. , Oréfice Rodrigo L. , Patricio Patrícia S. O.
Published: December 2015

In this study a novel approach for improving the photo-stabilization of polymers by incorporation of nanoparticles of a new niobium compound is reported.
High proton conductivity of sulfonated methoxyphenyl-containing poly(arylene ether ketone) for proton exchange membranes
Authors: Dong Bo , Wang Yan , Pang Jinhui , Guan Shaowei , Jiang Zhenhua
Published: December 2015

A polyelectrolyte membrane based on sulfonated methoxyphenyl-containing poly(arylene ether ketone) (SMP-PAEK) was obtained, which exhibited suitable proton conductivities and excellent mechanical properties.
Energy storage and surface protection properties of dianiline co-polymers
Authors: Thota Apparao , Arukula Ravi , Narayan Ramanuj , Rao Chepuri R. K. , Raju K. V. S. N.
Published: December 2015

Phosphoric acid doped co-polyanilines of substituted anilines and dianiline give conductivities up to 9.25 × 10−2 S cm−1, specific capacitances on a stainless steel capacitor of 110–176.76 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and have high corrosion resistance on a steel surface.
Chitosan nanoparticle carrier based on surface molecularly imprinted polymers for the recognition and separation of proteins
Authors: Zhang Cenjin , Wang Yuzhi , Guo Junxia , Liu Yanjin , Zhou Yigang
Published: December 2015

This paper discusses the construction of surface molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) based on modified chitosan (CS) nanoparticle carriers to recognize and separate bovine serum albumin (BSA, pI 4.9, MW 69.0 kDa) in aqueous solution.
Fabrication of a hydrophobic, electromagnetic interference shielding and corrosion-resistant wood composite via deposition with Ni–Mo–P alloy coating
Authors: Shi Changhong , Wang Li , Wang Lijuan
Published: December 2015

A hydrophobic, electromagnetic shielding and corrosion-resistant wood-based composite was preparedviaelectroless deposition of a Ni–Mo–P ternary alloy on birch veneers.
Template-free synthesis of hierarchical porous calcium carbonate microspheres for efficient water treatment
Authors: Zhang Jing , Yao Bin , Ping Hang , Fu Zhengyi , Li Yu , Wang Weimin , Wang Hao , Wang Yucheng , Zhang Jinyong , Zhang Fan
Published: December 2015

Hierarchical porous calcium carbonate microspheres are synthesized by a template-free method, and show potential application in water treatment.
Preparation, characterization, and chemical-induced hydrophobicity of thermostable amine-modified graphene oxide
Authors: Wang Jing , Geng Hong-Zhang , Luo Zhi-Jia , Zhang Songting , Zhang Jinqiu , Liu Juncheng , Yang Hai-Jie , Ma Sujun , Sun Baoquan , Wang Yan , Da Shi-Xun , Fu Yun-Qiao
Published: December 2015

A small molecule was grafted onto the graphene oxide surfaces using two different approaches and the obtained amine-modified graphene oxides have excellent thermal stability and significantly enhanced water/air contact angles.
Role of polar solvents for the synthesis of pillar[6]arenes
Authors: Santra S. , Kovalev I. S. , Kopchuk D. S. , Zyryanov G. V. , Majee A. , Charushin V. N. , Chupakhin O. N.
Published: December 2015

An efficient procedure for the synthesis of pillar[6]arenes has been developed.
Remarkable flux effect of Li-codoping on highly enhanced luminescence of orthosilicate Ba2SiO4:Eu2+ phosphors for NUV-LEDs: autonomous impurity purification by eutectic Li2CO3 melts
Authors: Kim Donghyeon , Jeon Ki-Wan , Jin Jong Sung , Kang Seong-Gu , Seo Dong-Kyun , Park Jung-Chul
Published: December 2015

The PL intensity of Li-doped Ba2SiO4:Eu2+ (Li = 200% excess) is found to be 470% higher than that of Ba2SiO4:Eu2+ (no-Li). The excess Li2CO3 autonomously removes the impurities contained in the low-purity precursors, in particular SiO2.
Photo-synergistic promoted in situ generation of Bi0–BiSbO4 nanostructures as an efficient catalyst for nitrobenzene reduction
Authors: Liu Mengqing , Lv Li , Du Xiaomeng , Lang Junyu , Su Yiguo , Zhao Yanxia , Wang Xiaojing
Published: December 2015

This work reports on the construction of Bi0–BiSbO4 nanostructures to show photo-synergistic and efficient catalytic activity toward nitrobenzenes reduction.
Gallic acid magnetic nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of meloxicam: synthesis, characterization and application to pharmaceutical wastewater treatment
Authors: Nadim Ahmed H. , Al-Ghobashy Medhat A. , Nebsen Marianne , Shehata Mostafa A.
Published: December 2015

Gallic acid magnetic nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of meloxicam in pharmaceutical wastewater.
White clover based nitrogen-doped porous carbon for a high energy density supercapacitor electrode
Authors: Ma Guofu , Zhang Zhiguo , Sun Kanjun , Peng Hui , Yang Qian , Ran Feitian , Lei Ziqiang
Published: December 2015

We employed the biomaterial white clover as a carbon precursor and ZnCl2as an activating agent to prepare white clover carbons (WCCs).
Rapid and large-scale synthesis of Co3O4 octahedron particles with very high catalytic activity, good supercapacitance and unique magnetic properties
Authors: Chowdhury Mahabubur , Oputu Oghenochuko , Kebede Mesfin , Cummings Franscious , Cespedes Oscar , Maelsand Aliwa , Fester Veruscha
Published: December 2015

Octahedron Co3O4 particles with very high catalytic activity, good supercapacitance, and unique magnetic properties.
DNA-templated borononucleic acid self assembly: a study of minimal complexity
Authors: Barbeyron Renaud , Martin Anthony R. , Jean-Jacques Vasseur Jean-Jacques Vasseur , Michael Smietana Michael Smietana
Published: December 2015

The minimal degree of sequence complexity needed for DNA-templated self-assembly of bifunctional oligonucleotides able to form internucleosidic boronate linkages has been studied.
Pressure-induced structural changes and elemental dissociation of cadmium and mercury chalcogenides
Authors: Yan Yan , Zhang Shoutao , Wang Yanchao , Yang Guochun , Ma Yanming
Published: December 2015

The high-pressure structures and phase-transition sequences of the cadmium and mercury chalcogenides were unambiguously determined. An intriguing dissociation into Cd (or Hg) + X under strong compression was observed.
Monolayer molecular probes for detection of trace amounts of cyanide anions
Authors: Wu Fei , Zhao Shangbi , Zhu Linna
Published: December 2015

A monolayer sensor M-P1 is developed for detection of cyanide ions in aqueous solution. The monolayer sensor has high sensitivity and selectivity, and is very efficient for detecting trace amounts of analytes in dilute solution.
Tethering silver ions on amino-functionalized mesoporous silica for enhanced and sustained antibacterial properties
Authors: Wang Chengwei , Hong Hua , Lin Zhaofen , Yuan Yuan , Liu Changsheng , Ma Xiaoyu , Cao Xiaoyan
Published: December 2015

Amino group-based tethering method is an effective strategy to load Ag ions for long-term and highly efficient antibacterial activity. The developed Ag–CaMSS is a promising surgical implantation material with excellent antibacterial activity.
Self-repairing nonfouling polyurethane coatings via 3D-grafting of PEG-b-PHEMA-b-PMPC copolymer
Authors: Chen Kunlin , Zhou Shuxue , Wu Limin
Published: December 2015

Long-lasting nonfouling polyurethane coatings via 3D-grafting of a triblock copolymer showed inhibition ability for the adhesion of protein and human platelets.
Sol–gel synthesis of mesoporous spherical zirconia
Authors: Chang Yulei , Wang Chen , Liang Tongxiang , Zhao Chunsong , Luo Xi , Guo Ting , Gong Jianghong , Wu Hui
Published: December 2015

Mesoporous spherical zirconia (ZrO2) with a surface area of 113 m2g−1and average pore size of 5.0 nm is prepared by a sol–gel method with ZrOCl2·8H2O precursors and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfonate (SDS) templates with subsequent annealing at 500 °C in air.
Rational design of a quantitative, pH-insensitive, nucleic acid based fluorescent chloride reporter
Authors: Prakash Ved , Saha Sonali , Chakraborty Kasturi , Krishnan Yamuna
Published: December 2015

This study describes the rational design of a DNA-based chloride reporter.
Electrochemically generated sol–gel films as inhibitor containers of superhydrophobic surfaces for the active corrosion protection of metals
Authors: Zhang Xue-Fen , Chen Rui-Jiao , Liu Yan-Hua , Hu Ji-Ming
Published: December 2015

The present work shows a new contribution to the design of superhydrophobic surfaces with the additional function of active corrosion protection, through the encapsulation of inhibiting agents.
Preventing high-temperature oxidation of Co–Cr-based dental alloys by boron doping
Authors: Yamanaka Kenta , Mori Manami , Ohmura Kazuyo , Chiba Akihiko
Published: December 2015

We demonstrate that the high-temperature oxidation of biomedical Co–Cr-based alloys during manufacturing can be retarded by boron doping.
Monolayer hexagonal arsenene with tunable electronic structures and magnetic properties via impurity doping
Authors: Li Zhongjun , Xu Wei , Yu Yuanqin , Du Hongyang , Zhen Kun , Wang Jun , Luo Linbao , Qiu Huaili , Yang Xiaobao
Published: December 2015

In this study, by using density functional theory, we have theoretically investigated the electronic and magnetic properties of x-substituted hAs (x = B, C, N, O, Ga, Ge, Se, and monovacancy) and x-adsorbed hAs (x = As).
An organic–inorganic hybrid co-crystal complex as a high-performance solid-state nonlinear optical switch
Authors: Chen Tianliang , Sun Zhihua , Zhao Sangen , Ji Chengmin , Luo Junhua
Published: December 2015

An organic–inorganic hybrid co-crystal complex exhibits an attractive switching nonlinear optical performance with a superior contrast and high repeatability.
Soluble CD109 binds TGF-β and antagonizes TGF-β signalling and responses
Authors: Li Carter , Hancock Mark A. , Sehgal Priyanka , Zhou Shufeng , Reinhardt Dieter P. , Philip Anie
Published: December 2015

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine implicated in many diseases, including tissue fibrosis and cancer. TGF-β mediates diverse biological responses by signalling through type I and II TGF-β receptors (TβRI and TβRII). We have previously identified CD109, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein, as a novel TGF-β co-receptor that negatively regulates TGF-β signalling and responses and demonstrated that membrane-anchored CD109 promotes TGF-β receptor degradation via a SMAD7/Smurf2-mediated mechanism. To determine whether CD109 released from the cell surface (soluble CD109 or sCD109) also acts as a TGF-β antagonist, we determined the efficacy of recombinant sCD109 to interact with TGF-β and inhibit TGF-β signalling and responses. Our results demonstrate that sCD109 binds TGF-β with high affinity as determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and cell-based radioligand binding and affinity labelling competition assays. SPR detected slow dissociation kinetics between sCD109 and TGF-β at low concentrations, indicating a stable and effective interaction. In addition, sCD109 antagonizes TGF-β-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation, transcription and cell migration. Together, our results suggest that sCD109 can bind TGF-β, inhibit TGF-β binding to its receptors and decrease TGF-β signalling and TGF-β-induced cellular responses.
The crystal structure of an inverting glycoside hydrolase family 9 exo-β-D-glucosaminidase and the design of glycosynthase
Authors: Honda Yuji , Arai Sachiko , Suzuki Kentaro , Kitaoka Motomitsu , Fushinobu Shinya
Published: December 2015

Exo-β-D-glucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.165) from Photobacterium profundum (PpGlcNase) is an inverting GH (glycoside hydrolase) belonging to family 9. We have determined the three-dimensional structure of PpGlcNase to describe the first structure–function relationship of an exo-type GH9 glycosidase. PpGlcNase has a narrow and straight active-site pocket, in contrast with the long glycan-binding cleft of a GH9 endoglucanase. This is because PpGlcNase has a long loop, which blocks the position corresponding to subsites −4 to −2 of the endoglucanase. The pocket shape of PpGlcNase explains its substrate preference for a β1,4-linkage at the non-reducing terminus. Asp139, Asp143 and Glu555 in the active site were located near the β-O1 hydroxy group of GlcN (D-glucosamine), with Asp139 and Asp143 holding a nucleophilic water molecule for hydrolysis. The D139A, D143A and E555A mutants significantly decreased hydrolytic activity, indicating their essential role. Of these mutants, D139A exclusively exhibited glycosynthase activity using α-GlcN-F (α-D-glucosaminyl fluoride) and GlcN as substrates, to produce (GlcN)2. Using saturation mutagenesis at Asp139, we obtained D139E as the best glycosynthase. Compared with the wild-type, the hydrolytic activity of D139E was significantly suppressed (<0.1%), and the F−-release activity also decreased (<3%). Therefore the glycosynthase activity of D139E was lower than that of glycosynthases created previously from other inverting GHs. Mutation at the nucleophilic water holder is a general strategy for creating an effective glycosynthase from inverting GHs. However, for GH9, where two acidic residues seem to share the catalytic base role, mutation of Asp139 might inevitably reduce F−-release activity.
Palmitate-induced impairment of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion precedes mitochondrial dysfunction in mouse pancreatic islets
Authors: Barlow Jonathan , Jensen Verena Hirschberg , Jastroch Martin , Affourtit Charles
Published: December 2015

It has been well established that excessive levels of glucose and palmitate lower glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) by pancreatic β-cells. This β-cell ‘glucolipotoxicity’ is possibly mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction, but involvement of bioenergetic failure in the pathological mechanism is the subject of ongoing debate. We show in the present study that increased palmitate levels impair GSIS before altering mitochondrial function. We demonstrate that GSIS defects arise from increased insulin release under basal conditions in addition to decreased insulin secretion under glucose-stimulatory conditions. Real-time respiratory analysis of intact mouse pancreatic islets reveals that mitochondrial ATP synthesis is not involved in the mechanism by which basal insulin is elevated. Equally, mitochondrial lipid oxidation and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) do not contribute to increased basal insulin secretion. Palmitate does not affect KCl-induced insulin release at a basal or stimulatory glucose level, but elevated basal insulin release is attenuated by palmitoleate and associates with increased intracellular calcium. These findings deepen our understanding of β-cell glucolipotoxicity and reveal that palmitate-induced GSIS impairment is disconnected from mitochondrial dysfunction, a notion that is important when targeting β-cells for the treatment of diabetes and when assessing islet function in human transplants.
Simple capacity‐achieving coded modulation strategy
Authors: Cazarotto M. , Lopes R.R.
Published: December 2015

A simple system that approaches the capacity of the additive white Gaussian noise channel (AWGN) is proposed. It is well known that this capacity is achieved by a Gaussian input, which is hard to obtain in practice. However, if the capacity is <1/2, then the use of a binary input incurs little capacity loss. A parallel between the AWGN and the multiple access channel (MAC) is exploited, which allows for the transformation, without loss of capacity, of the AWGN channel into several parallel channels with capacity <1/2. In this proposal, each channel uses a binary input and a capacity‐achieving code, resulting in a system with simple encoding that operates close to capacity. A decoding scheme based on successive interference cancellation is also proposed. As a result, the receiver consists of a series of simple binary receivers. It is shown that the proposed system works at a small gap to the capacity of the AWGN, and that this gap may be attributed to the gap to capacity of the underlying binary code. Similar method has been proposed but the results have shown that this method is better than the iterative method (bit interleaved coded modulation).
Perceptual edge detection via entropy‐driven gradient evaluation
Authors: Tseng Chun‐Shun , Wang Jung‐Hua
Published: December 2015

This study presents a novel method based on entropy‐driven gradient evaluation (P‐EdGE) for detecting perceptual edges that represent boundaries of objects as perceived by human eyes. P‐EdGE is characterised by iteratively employing a shape‐changeable mask centred at a target pixel to sample gradient orientations of neighbouring pixels for measuring the directivity of the target pixel. The mask deforms to automatically cover pixels most suitable for exhibiting the directivity of the target pixel. The authors show that such an iterative scheme satisfies the similarity and proximity laws in Gestalt theory. The converged directivity in conjunction with the gradient magnitude are subjected to a Bayesian process, they show that doing so can help effectively determine whether the target pixel belongs to a perceptual edge. Experimental results are presented to justify the superiority of P‐EdGE over other methods in detecting perceptual edges.