bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The transcription factor NR4A1 is essential for the development of a novel macrophage subset in the thymus
Authors: Tacke Robert , Hilgendorf Ingo , Garner Hannah , Waterborg Claire , Park Kiwon , Nowyhed Heba , Hanna Richard N. , Wu Runpei , Swirski Filip K. , Geissmann Frederic , Hedrick Catherine C.
Published: June 2015

Tissue macrophages function to maintain homeostasis and regulate immune responses. While tissue macrophages derive from one of a small number of progenitor programs, the transcriptional requirements for site-specific macrophage subset development are more complex. We have identified a new tissue macrophage subset in the thymus and have discovered that its development is dependent on transcription factor NR4A1. Functionally, we find that NR4A1-dependent macrophages are critically important for clearance of apoptotic thymocytes. These macrophages are largely reduced or absent in mice lacking NR4A1 and Nr4a1-deficient mice have impaired thymocyte engulfment and clearance. Thus, NR4A1 functions as a master transcription factor for the development of this novel thymus-specific macrophage subset.
Synthesis, characterization and observation of antisite defects in LiNiPO4 nanomaterials
Authors: Kempaiah Devaraju Murukanahally , Duc Truong Quang , Hyodo Hiroshi , Sasaki Yoshikazu , Honma Itaru
Published: June 2015

Structural studies of high voltage cathode materials are necessary to understand their chemistry to improve the electrochemical performance for applications in lithium ion batteries. LiNiPO4 nanorods and nanoplates are synthesized via a one pot synthesis using supercritical fluid process at 450 oC for 10 min. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that LiNiPO4 phase is well crystallized, phase purity supported by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and elemental mapping by scanning electron transmission electron microscopy (STEM). For the first time, we have carried out direct visualization of atom-by-atom structural observation of LiNiPO4 nanomaterials using high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) and annular bright-field (ABF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) analysis. The Rietveld refinement analysis was performed to find out the percentage of antisite defects presents in LiNiPO4 nanoplates and about 11% of antisite defects were found. Here, we provide the direct evidence for the presence of Ni atoms in Li sites and Li in Ni sites as an antisite defects are provided for understanding of electrochemical behavior of high voltage Li ion battery cathode materials.
Prediction models and risk assessment for silicosis using a retrospective cohort study among workers exposed to silica in China
Authors: Tse Lap Ah , Dai Juncheng , Chen Minghui , Liu Yuewei , Zhang Hao , Wong Tze Wai , Leung Chi Chiu , Kromhout Hans , Meijer Evert , Liu Su , Wang Feng , Yu Ignatius Tak-sun , Shen Hongbing , Chen Weihong
Published: June 2015

This study aims to develop a prognostic risk prediction model for the development of silicosis among workers exposed to silica dust in China. The prediction model was performed by using retrospective cohort of 3,492 workers exposed to silica in an iron ore, with 33 years of follow-up. We developed a risk score system using a linear combination of the predictors weighted by the LASSO penalized Cox regression coefficients. The model’s predictive accuracy was evaluated using time-dependent ROC curves. Six predictors were selected into the final prediction model (age at entry of the cohort, mean concentration of respirable silica, net years of dust exposure, smoking, illiteracy and no. of jobs). We classified workers into three risk groups according to the quartile (Q1, Q3) of risk score; 203 (23.28%) incident silicosis cases were derived from the high risk group (risk score ≥ 5.91), whilst only 4 (0.46%) cases were from the low risk group (risk score < 3.97). The score system was regarded as accurate given the range of AUCs (83–96%). This study developed a unique score system with a good internal validity, which provides scientific guidance to the clinicians to identify high-risk workers, thus has important cost efficient implications.
Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of pre-diapause and non-diapause eggs of migratory locust, Locusta migratoria L. (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)
Authors: Tu Xiongbing , Wang Jie , Hao Kun , Whitman Douglas W. , Fan Yaoli , Cao Guangchun , Zhang Zehua
Published: June 2015

Low temperature induces diapause in locusts. However, the physiological processes and initiation mechanism of diapause are not well understood. To understand the molecular basis of diapause, ‘omics’ analyses were performed to examine the differences between diapause and non-diapause eggs at both transcriptional and translational levels. Results indicated that a total of 62,241 mRNAs and 212 proteins were differentially expressed. Among them, 116 transcripts had concurrent transcription and translation profiles. Up-regulated genes related to diapause included glutathiones-S-transferase et al. and down-regulated genes including juvenile hormone esterase-like protein et al. KEGG analysis mapped 7,243 and 99 differentially expressed genes and proteins, to 83 and 25 pathways, respectively. Correlation enriched pathways indicated that there were nine identical pathways related to diapause. Gene Ontology analysis placed these genes and proteins into three categories and a higher proportion of genes related to metabolism was up-regulated than down-regulated. Furthermore, three up-regulated pathways were linked to cryoprotection. This study demonstrates the applicability of high-throughput omics tools to identify molecules linked to diapause in the locust. In addition, it reveals cellular metabolism in diapause eggs is more active than in non-diapause eggs and up-regulated enzymes may play roles in cryoprotection and storing energy for diapause and post-diapause stages.
Evolution of an Enzyme from a Noncatalytic Nucleic Acid Sequence
Authors: Gysbers Rachel , Tram Kha , Gu Jimmy , Li Yingfu
Published: June 2015

The mechanism by which enzymes arose from both abiotic and biological worlds remains an unsolved natural mystery. We postulate that an enzyme can emerge from any sequence of any functional polymer under permissive evolutionary conditions. To support this premise, we have arbitrarily chosen a 50-nucleotide DNA fragment encoding for the Bos taurus (cattle) albumin mRNA and subjected it to test-tube evolution to derive a catalytic DNA (DNAzyme) with RNA-cleavage activity. After only a few weeks, a DNAzyme with significant catalytic activity has surfaced. Sequence comparison reveals that seven nucleotides are responsible for the conversion of the noncatalytic sequence into the enzyme. Deep sequencing analysis of DNA pools along the evolution trajectory has identified individual mutations as the progressive drivers of the molecular evolution. Our findings demonstrate that an enzyme can indeed arise from a sequence of a functional polymer via permissive molecular evolution, a mechanism that may have been exploited by nature for the creation of the enormous repertoire of enzymes in the biological world today.
The lysophosphatidic acid receptor LPA4 regulates hematopoiesis-supporting activity of bone marrow stromal cells
Authors: Igarashi Hidemitsu , Akahoshi Noriyuki , Ohto-Nakanishi Takayo , Yasuda Daisuke , Ishii Satoshi
Published: June 2015

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a pleiotropic lipid mediator that acts through G protein-coupled receptors (LPA1-6). Although several biological roles of LPA4are becoming apparent, its role in hematopoiesis has remained unknown. Here, we show a novel regulatory role for LPA4in hematopoiesis.Lpar4 mRNA was predominantly expressed in mouse bone marrow (BM) PDGFRα+stromal cells, known as the components of the hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) niche. Compared with wild-type mice, LPA4-deficient mice had reduced HSPC numbers in the BM and spleen and were hypersusceptible to myelosuppression, most likely due to impairments in HSPC recovery and stem cell factor production in the BM. Analysis of reciprocal BM chimeras (LPA4-deficient BM into wild-type recipients andvice versa) indicated that stromal cells likely account for these phenotypes. Consistently, LPA4-deficient BM stromal cells showed downregulated mRNA expression of stem cell factor and tenascin-cin vitro. Taken together, these results suggest a critical and novel role for the LPA/LPA4axis in regulating BM stromal cells.
Large-area soft-imprinted nanowire networks as light trapping transparent conductors
Authors: van de Groep Jorik , Gupta Dhritiman , Verschuuren Marc A. , M. Wienk Martijn , Janssen Rene A. J. , Polman Albert
Published: June 2015

Using soft-imprint nanolithography, we demonstrate large-area application of engineered two-dimensional polarization-independent networks of silver nanowires as transparent conducting electrodes. These networks have high optical transmittance, low electrical sheet resistance and at the same time function as a photonic light-trapping structure enhancing optical absorption in the absorber layer of thin-film solar cells. We study the influence of nanowire width and pitch on the network transmittance and sheet resistance and demonstrate improved performance compared to ITO. Next, we use P3HT-PCBM organic solar cells as a model system to show the realization of nanowire network based functional devices. Using angle-resolved external quantum efficiency measurements, we demonstrate engineered light trapping by coupling to guided modes in the thin absorber layer of the solar cell. Concurrent to the direct observation of controlled light trapping we observe a reduction in photocurrent as a result of increased reflection and parasitic absorption losses; such losses can be minimized by re-optimization of the NW network geometry. Together, these results demonstrate how engineered 2D NW networks can serve as multifunctional structures that unify the functions of a transparent conductor and a light trapping structure. These results are generic and can be applied to any type of optoelectronic device.
Quantitative assessment of single-cell whole genome amplification methods for detecting copy number variation using hippocampal neurons
Authors: Ning Luwen , Li Zhoufang , Wang Guan , Hu Wen , Hou Qingming , Tong Yin , Zhang Meng , Chen Yao , Qin Li , Chen Xiaoping , Man Heng-Ye , Liu Pinghua , He Jiankui
Published: June 2015

Single-cell genomic analysis has grown rapidly in recent years and finds widespread applications in various fields of biology, including cancer biology, development, immunology, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and neurobiology. To date, the amplification bias, amplification uniformity and reproducibility of the three major single cell whole genome amplification methods (GenomePlex WGA4, MDA and MALBAC) have not been systematically investigated using mammalian cells. In this study, we amplified genomic DNA from individual hippocampal neurons using three single-cell DNA amplification methods and sequenced them at shallow depth. We then systematically evaluated the GC-bias, reproducibility and copy number variations among individual neurons. Our results showed that single-cell genome sequencing results obtained from the MALBAC and WGA4 methods are highly reproducible and have a high success rate. The MALBAC displays significant biases towards high GC content. We then attempted to correct the GC bias issue by developing a bioinformatics pipeline, which allows us to call CNVs in single cell sequencing data and chromosome level and sub-chromosomal level CNVs among individual neurons can be detected. We also proposed a metric to determine the CNV detection limits. Overall, MALBAC and WGA4 have better performance than MDA in detecting CNVs.
The peculiarity of the metal-ceramic interface
Authors: Zhang Zaoli , Long Yao , Cazottes S. , Daniel R. , Mitterer C. , Dehm G.
Published: June 2015

Important properties of materials are strongly influenced or controlled by the presence of solid interfaces, i.e. from the atomic arrangement in a region which is a few atomic spacing wide. Using the quantitative analysis of atom column positions enabled by CS-corrected transmission electron microscopy and theoretical calculations, atom behaviors at and adjacent to the interface was carefully explored. A regular variation of Cu interplanar spacing at a representative metal-ceramic interface was experimentally revealed, i.e. Cu-MgO (001). We also found the periodic fluctuations of the Cu and Mg atomic positions triggered by the interfacial geometrical misfit dislocations, which are partially verified by theoretical calculations using empirical potential approach. Direct measurements of the bond length of Cu-O at the coherent regions of the interface showed close correspondence with theoretical results. By successively imaging of geometrical misfit dislocations at different crystallographic directions, the strain fields around the interfacial geometrical misfit dislocation are quantitatively demonstrated at a nearly three-dimensional view. A quantitative evaluation between the measured and calculated strain fields using simplified model around the geometrical misfit dislocation is shown.
MAP3K3 expression in tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is correlated with favorable patient survival in lung cancer
Authors: He Yanli , Wang Lihui , Liu Weijun , Zhong Jinjie , Bai Shengbin , Wang Zhuwen , Thomas Dafydd G. , Lin Jules , Reddy Rishindra M. , Ramnath Nithya , Carrott Philip W. , Lynch William R. , Orringer Mark B. , Chang Andrew C. , Beer David G. , Chen Guoan
Published: June 2015

MAP3K3 is involved in both the immune response and in tumor progression. Its potential biological role in vitro in lung cancer cell lines and the association of mRNA/protein expression patterns with clinical outcome of primary lung tumors were investigated in this study. Silencing MAP3K3 using siRNA in lung cancer cell lines resulted in decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion. These effects were associated with down-regulation of the JNK, p38, AKT and GSK3β pathways as determined using phospho-protein and gene expression array analyses. However, MAP3K3 mRNA and protein overexpression in primary lung tumors correlated significantly with favorable patient survival. Gene cluster and pathway analyses of primary tumor datasets indicated that genes positively-correlated with MAP3K3 are significantly involved in immune response rather than the cell cycle regulators observed using in vitro analyses. These results indicate that although MAP3K3 overexpression has an oncogenic role in vitro, in primary lung adenocarcinomas it correlates with an active immune response in the tumor environment that correlates with improved patient survival. MAP3K3 may potentially not only serve as diagnostic/prognostic markers for patients with lung cancer but also provide an indicator for future investigations into immunomodulatory therapies for lung cancer.
Multiple levels of linguistic and paralinguistic features contribute to voice recognition
Authors: Mary Zarate Jean , Tian Xing , Woods Kevin J. P. , Poeppel David
Published: June 2015

Voice or speaker recognition is critical in a wide variety of social contexts. In this study, we investigated the contributions of acoustic, phonological, lexical and semantic information toward voice recognition. Native English speaking participants were trained to recognize five speakers in five conditions: non-speech, Mandarin, German, pseudo-English and English. We showed that voice recognition significantly improved as more information became available, from purely acoustic features in non-speech to additional phonological information varying in familiarity. Moreover, we found that the recognition performance is transferable between training and testing in phonologically familiar conditions (German, pseudo-English and English), but not in unfamiliar (Mandarin) or non-speech conditions. These results provide evidence suggesting that bottom-up acoustic analysis and top-down influence from phonological processing collaboratively govern voice recognition.
Single Fluorescence Channel-based Multiplex Detection of Avian Influenza Virus by Quantitative PCR with Intercalating Dye
Authors: Ahrberg Christian D. , Manz Andreas , Neuzil Pavel
Published: June 2015

Since its invention in 1985 the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become a well-established method for amplification and detection of segments of double-stranded DNA. Incorporation of fluorogenic probe or DNA intercalating dyes (such as SYBR Green) into the PCR mixture allowed real-time reaction monitoring and extraction of quantitative information (qPCR). Probes with different excitation spectra enable multiplex qPCR of several DNA segments using multi-channel optical detection systems. Here we show multiplex qPCR using an economical EvaGreen-based system with single optical channel detection. Previously reported non quantitative multiplex real-time PCR techniques based on intercalating dyes were conducted once the PCR is completed by performing melting curve analysis (MCA). The technique presented in this paper is both qualitative and quantitative as it provides information about the presence of multiple DNA strands as well as the number of starting copies in the tested sample. Besides important internal control, multiplex qPCR also allows detecting concentrations of more than one DNA strand within the same sample. Detection of the avian influenza virus H7N9 by PCR is a well established method. Multiplex qPCR greatly enhances its specificity as it is capable of distinguishing both haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes as well as their ratio.
Interfacial reaction control and its mechanism of AlN epitaxial films grown on Si(111) substrates by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Wang Wenliang , Yang Weijia , Liu Zuolian , Wang Haiyan , Wen Lei , Li Guoqiang
Published: June 2015

High-quality AlN epitaxial films have been grown on Si substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) by effective control of the interfacial reactions between AlN films and Si substrates. The surface morphology, crystalline quality and interfacial property of as-grown AlN/Si hetero-interfaces obtained by PLD have been systemically studied. It is found that the amorphous SiAlN interfacial layer is formed during high temperature growth, which is ascribed to the serious interfacial reactions between Si atoms diffused from the substrates and the AlN plasmas produced by the pulsed laser when ablating the AlN target during the high temperature growth. On the contrary, abrupt and sharp AlN/Si hetero-interfaces can be achieved by effectively controlling the interfacial reactions at suitable growth temperature. The mechanisms for the evolution of interfacial layer from the amorphous SiAlN layer to the abrupt and sharp AlN/Si hetero-interfaces by PLD are hence proposed. This work of obtaining the abrupt interfaces and the flat surfaces for AlN films grown by PLD is of paramount importance for the application of high-quality AlN-based devices on Si substrates.
Old is new again: a chemical probe for targeting mitochondria and monitoring mitochondrial membrane potential in cells
Authors: Zhang Lu , Liu Wenwen , Huang Xianhong , Zhang Guanxin , Wang Xuefei , Wang Zhuo , Zhang Deqing , Jiang Xingyu
Published: June 2015

The tetraphenylethene-indolium molecule (TPE-indo) can both image the mitochondria and indicate mitochondrial activity by the fluorescence change of TPE-indo.
Sortase A-mediated multi-functionalization of protein nanoparticles
Authors: Chen Qi , Sun Qing , Molino Nicholas M. , Wang Szu-Wen , Boder Eric T. , Chen Wilfred
Published: June 2015

A new strategy was developed to create multi-functionalizaton of protein nanoparticles using Sortase A-mediated ligation, resulting in modified protein nanoparticles that are both thermally responsive and catalytic active.
Pentagonal helices in a periodic metal–organic framework. Crystals as computers for discovering structures of minimal transitivity
Authors: Li Mian , Li Dan , O'Keeffe Michael , Su Zhong-Min
Published: June 2015

A net of exceptional complexity is found in the structure of a metal–organic framework with pentagonal structure-building units.
One-step electrochemical synthesis of ultrathin graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets and their application to the detection of uric acid
Authors: Lu Qiujun , Deng Jianhui , Hou Yuxin , Wang Haiyan , Li Haitao , Zhang Youyu
Published: June 2015

A one-step electrochemical method for synthesis of ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets is reported. This method does not need dangerous reagents and largely reduces the reaction time.
Overcoming metal-induced fluorescence quenching on plasmo-photonic metasurfaces coated by a self-assembled monolayer
Authors: Choi Bongseok , Iwanaga Masanobu , Miyazaki Hideki T. , Sugimoto Yoshimasa , Ohtake Akihiro , Sakoda Kazuaki
Published: June 2015

A schematic energy diagram of the present fluorescence (FL)-enhancing process including nonradiative (NR) paths that a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) blocks is presented.
Synthesis and thermodynamics of Ag–Cu nanoparticles
Authors: Delsante Simona , Borzone Gabriella , Novakovic Rada , Piazza Daniele , Pigozzi Giancarlo , Janczak-Rusch Jolanta , Pilloni Martina , Ennas Guido
Published: June 2015

A melting temperature depression of around 14 °C for Ag–Cu nanoparticles synthesized by a chemical reduction method has been experimentally measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
The importance of current contributions to shielding constants in density-functional theory
Authors: Reimann Sarah , Ekström Ulf , Stopkowicz Stella , Teale Andrew M. , Borgoo Alex , Helgaker Trygve
Published: June 2015

The sources of error in the calculation of nuclear-magnetic-resonance shielding constants determined by density-functional theory are examined.
Correction: Study of structures and thermodynamics of CuNi nanoalloys using a new DFT-fitted atomistic potential
Authors: Panizon Emanuele , Olmos-Asar Jimena A. , Peressi Maria , Ferrando Riccardo
Published: June 2015

Correction for ‘Study of structures and thermodynamics of CuNi nanoalloys using a new DFT-fitted atomistic potential’ by Emanuele Panizon et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5cp00215j.
A giant magnetocaloric effect with a tunable temperature transition close to room temperature in Na-deficient La0.8Na0.2−x□xMnO3manganites
Authors: Wali M. , Skini R. , Khlifi M. , Dhahri E. , Hlil E. K.
Published: June 2015

A giant magnetocaloric effect induced by sodium-deficiency in a La0.8Na0.2−x□xMnO3(0.00 ≤x≤ 0.15) polycrystalline sample is reported in the present research work.
Alternative aluminum-based cocatalysts for the iron-catalyzed oligomerization of ethylene
Authors: Boudier Adrien , Breuil Pierre-Alain R. , Magna Lionel , Olivier-Bourbigou Hélène , Braunstein Pierre
Published: June 2015

Multinuclear aluminum cocatalysts have been obtained by the reaction of various phenols, alcohols or diols with trimethylaluminum and were used in situ or as isolated, well-defined species, for the activation of an iron(ii) or an iron(iii) pre-catalyst for the oligomerization of ethylene.
Designing ancillary ligands for heteroleptic/homoleptic zinc complex formation: synthesis, structures and application in ROP of lactides
Authors: Jędrzkiewicz D. , Ejfler J. , Gulia N. , John Ł. , Szafert S.
Published: June 2015

Synthesis and characterization of a series of new amino-phenol/naphthol ligands (L1,2-H) have been developed and their respective zinc complexes (1 and 2-Zn) have been synthesized.
Structural phase transitions and magnetic and spectroscopic properties of the double perovskites Sr2Co1−xMgxTeO6(x = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5)
Authors: Orayech B. , Ortega-San-Martín L. , Urcelay-Olabarria I. , Lezama L. , Rojo T. , Arriortua María I. , Igartua J. M.
Published: June 2015

Structural and magnetic properties of a series of double perovskites are investigated by X-ray and Neutron diffraction, EPR and magnetic susceptibility. The structural and phase-transitions analysis are done using symmetry mode-analysis approach.
Controlled synthesis of uniform palladium nanoparticles on novel micro-porous carbon as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the Heck reaction
Authors: Song Kunpeng , Liu Peng , Wang Jingyu , Pang Lei , Chen Jian , Hussain Irshad , Tan Bien , Li Tao
Published: June 2015

Highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles encaged by micro-porous carbon exhibit excellent cycling performance towards the Heck cross-coupling reaction.
Determination of the kinetics underlying the pKa shift for the 2-aminoanthracenium cation binding with cucurbit[7]uril
Authors: Thomas Suma S. , Bohne Cornelia
Published: June 2015

The binding dynamics of the 2-aminoanthracenium cation (AH+) and 2-aminoanthracene (A) with cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) was studied using stopped-flow experiments. The kinetics was followed by measuring the fluorescence changes over time for AH+ and A, which emit at different wavelengths. The studies at various pH values showed different mechanisms for the formation of the AH+@CB[7] complex, with this complex formed either by the binding of AH+ or by the initial binding of A followed by protonation. In the latter case, it was possible to determine the protonation ((1.5 ± 0.4) × 109 M−1 s−1) and deprotonation (89 ± 7 s−1) rate constants for complexed A/AH+, which showed that the pKa shift of +3.1 for A/AH+ in the complex is mainly due to a lower deprotonation rate constant.
Microfluidic device to control interstitial flow-mediated homotypic and heterotypic cellular communication
Authors: Alonzo Luis F. , Moya Monica L. , Shirure Venktesh S. , George Steven C.
Published: June 2015

To address the gap betweenin vivomicroenvironments andin vitrosystems, we have developed a novel microfluidic device that precisely controls the spatial and temporal interactions between adjacent three-dimensional cellular environments.
Influence of main-chain and molecular weight on the phase behaviors of side-chain liquid crystalline polymers without the spacer
Authors: Bin Ni , Yongbin Luo , Yujie Liu , Sheng Chen , Hailiang Zhang
Published: June 2015

The main-chain and molecular weight affects the clearing temperature of side-chain liquid crystalline polymers based on biphenyl mesogen without the spacer.
Energetics and carrier transport in doped Si/SiO2quantum dots
Authors: Garcia-Castello Nuria , Illera Sergio , Prades Joan Daniel , Ossicini Stefano , Cirera Albert , Guerra Roberto
Published: June 2015

For B or P substitutional doping in Si/SiO2quantum dots we indicate, respectively, interfacial and sub-interfacial sites as the most energetically-favored ones. B-doping enhances hole-current at a low voltage, while P-doping enhances electron-current at low and high voltage.
Novel sodium/lithium-ion anode material based on ultrathin Na2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanosheet
Authors: Zhang Yuping , Guo Lin , Yang Shihe
Published: June 2015

Excellent high rate Li/Na-ion storage capability with long-life cycling performance was delivered by ultrathin Na2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanosheets.
The synthesis of new fluorescent bichromophoric compounds as ratiometric pH probes for intracellular measurements
Authors: Saura A. Vanessa , Marín María J. , Burguete M. Isabel , Russell David A. , Galindo Francisco , Luis Santiago V.
Published: June 2015

Three different bichromophoric compounds (1–3) containing an aminomethyl anthracene moiety linked to a second chromophore have been prepared and their fluorescent properties studied.
Fast RAFT aqueous polymerization in a continuous tubular reactor: consecutive synthesis of a double hydrophilic block copolymer
Authors: Li Zhen , Chen Weijie , Zhang Lifen , Cheng Zhenping , Zhu Xiulin
Published: June 2015

Utilizing a continuous tubular reactor, well-defined double hydrophilic block copolymer PSPMA-b-PPEGMA was successfully synthesized with an extremely high monomer conversion in water without handling the intermediate macro-RAFT agent.
Regio- and stereoselective multisubstituted olefin synthesis via hydro/carboalumination of alkynes and subsequent iron-catalysed cross-coupling reaction with alkyl halides
Authors: Kawamura Shintaro , Agata Ryosuke , Nakamura Masaharu
Published: June 2015

A new synthetic route towards multisubstituted olefins was developed based on the direct cross coupling of alkenyl aluminium reagents, prepared by hydro- and carboalumination, with alkyl halides in the presence of an iron catalyst.
A novel dynamic pseudo[1]rotaxane based on a mono-biotin-functionalized pillar[5]arene
Authors: Wu Xuan , Ni Mengfei , Xia Wei , Hu Xiao-Yu , Wang Leyong
Published: June 2015

A stable pillar[5]arene-based pseudo[1]rotaxane P1′ was synthesized by the click reaction, which exhibited a dynamic slow disassembly process upon adding a strong-polar solvent or competitive guest. Moreover, this dynamic behavior might be used as a switch to turn on or off the bioactivity of the biotin moiety in aqueous solution.
Enantioselective construction of spiro-1,3-indandiones with three stereocenters via organocatalytic Michael-aldol reaction of 2-arylideneindane-1,3-diones and nitro aldehydes
Authors: Duan Jindian , Cheng Jing , Li Pengfei
Published: June 2015

Asymmetric domino reaction between 2-arylideneindane-1,3-dione and nitro aldehyde has been developed for the construction of an enantioenriched spiro-1,3-indandione framework with three stereocenters.
Comparison of hydrocarbon-and lactam-bridged cyclic peptides as dimerization inhibitors of Leishmania infantum trypanothione reductase
Authors: Sánchez-Murcia Pedro A. , Ruiz-Santaquiteria Marta , Toro Miguel A. , de Lucio Héctor , Jiménez María Ángeles , Gago Federico , Jiménez-Ruiz Antonio , Camarasa María-José , Velázquez Sonsoles
Published: June 2015

Helical peptides stabilizedviaall-hydrocarbon or lactam side-chain bridging were investigated as disruptors ofLeishmania infantumtrypanothione reductase.
Microscopic study of the equation of state of β-HMX using reactive molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Wang Guang Yu , Peng Qing , Liu Gui Rong , De Suvranu
Published: June 2015

The equation of state (EoS) is the relation between physical quantities describing thermodynamic states of materials under a given set of conditions such as pressure, temperature, and volume.
Color-tunable luminescent CdTe quantum dot membranes based on bacterial cellulose (BC) and application in ion detection
Authors: Ge Yan , Chen Shiyan , Yang Jingxuan , Wang Biao , Wang Huaping
Published: June 2015

Color-tunable luminescent membranes of CdTe QDs on bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers were successfully fabricated by in situ synthesis in aqueous solution.
From hydrophobic to hydrophilic polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) membranes by gaining new insight into material's properties
Authors: Fontananova E. , Bahattab M. A. , Aljlil S. A. , Alowairdy M. , Rinaldi G. , Vuono D. , Nagy J. B. , Drioli E. , Di Profio G.
Published: June 2015

From hydrophobic to hydrophilic PVDF membranes by a combination of functionalization by blending chemical additives and selection of manufacturing procedure.
Mechanically exfoliated g-C3N4 thin nanosheets by ball milling as high performance photocatalysts
Authors: Zhu Kaixing , Wang Wenjun , Meng Alan , Zhao Meng , Wang Junhu , Zhao Mei , Zhang Dongliang , Jia Yuping , Xu Chunhua , Li Zhenjiang
Published: June 2015

Here, a simple one-step ball milling method is presented for synthesis of mechanically exfoliated g-C3N4 (MECN) thin nanosheets at large scales for the first time.
A coordination and ligand replacement based three-input colorimetric logic gate sensing platform for melamine, mercury ions, and cysteine
Authors: Zhang Lulu , Yuan Yanwen , Wen Xinglin , Li Yue , Cao Cuong , Xiong Qihua
Published: June 2015

A three-input colorimetric logic gate of melamine, cysteine, and Hg2+using Au NP has been reported, in which the colour changes of the Au NPs solution provide sensitive and selective detections of melamine, cysteine, and Hg2+.
Studies on the enhanced properties of nanocrystalline Zn–Ni coatings from a new alkaline bath due to electrolyte additives
Authors: Feng Zhongbao , Li Qingyang , Zhang Jinqiu , Yang Peixia , An Maozhong
Published: June 2015

Mirror-bright nanocrystalline Zn–Ni alloys with excellent wear and corrosion resistance are obtained from a novel bath with composite additives.
Crystalline photoactive copper indium diselenide thin films by pulsed laser crystallization of nanoparticle-inks at ambient conditions
Authors: Nian Qiong , Zhang Martin Y. , Lin Dong , Das Suprem , Shin Yung C. , Cheng Gary J.
Published: June 2015

Direct pulsed laser crystallization (DPLC) is explored to rapidly crystallize large area coated copper indium diselenide (CIS) nanoparticle-inks.
Contrastive band gap engineering of strained graphyne nanoribbons with armchair and zigzag edges
Authors: Cong Xin , Liao Yiming , Peng Qiji , Yang Yidan , Cheng Chuan , Zhang Wenqiang , Fang Peilin , Chen Chi , Miao Ling , Jiang Jianjun
Published: June 2015

By using first-principles calculations, the band structures of graphyne nanoribbons with armchair (a-GNRs) and zigzag (z-GNRs) edges under various strains are investigated.
Excellent tribological and anti-corrosion performance of polyurethane composite coatings reinforced with functionalized graphene and graphene oxide nanosheets
Authors: Mo Mengting , Zhao Wenjie , Chen Zifei , Yu Quanyao , Zeng Zhixiang , Wu Xuedong , Xue Qunji
Published: June 2015

The mechanism figure was drawn to intuitively explain the function of the FG and FGO in PU matrix during tribological and corrosion process.
Binding mechanism of nine N-phenylpiperazine derivatives and α1A-adrenoceptor using site-directed molecular docking and high performance affinity chromatography
Authors: Zhao X. F. , Wang J. , Liu G. X. , Fan T. P. , Zhang Y. J. , Yu J. , Wang S. X. , Li Z. J. , Zhang Y. Y. , Zheng X. H.
Published: June 2015

Investigating the binding mechanism of α1A-adrenoceptor and its specific ligands by affinity chromatography.
Viral nematics in confined geometries
Authors: Manyuhina O. V. , Lawlor K. B. , Marchetti M. C. , Bowick M. J.
Published: June 2015

Motivated by recent experiments on the rod-like virus bacteriophagefd, confined to circular and annular domains, we present a theoretical study of structural transitions in these geometries.
Under dark and visible light: fast degradation of methylene blue in the presence of Ag–In–Ni–S nanocomposites
Authors: Molla Aniruddha , Sahu Meenakshi , Hussain Sahid
Published: June 2015

Ag–In–Ni–S nanocomposites different shapes were synthesized in water using thioacetamide at different temperatures for the fast degradation of methylene blue in dark and visible light..
Sustainable seaweed-based one-dimensional (1D) nanofibers as high-performance electrocatalysts for fuel cells
Authors: Zhao Wei , Yuan Pei , She Xilin , Xia Yanzhi , Komarneni Sridhar , Xi Kai , Che Yanke , Yao Xiangdong , Yang Dongjiang
Published: June 2015

A high-performance one-dimensional (1D) nanofibrillar N–Co–C oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst was fabricatedviaelectrospinning using renewable natural alginate and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as precursors.
One-dimensional nanostructures for flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Yuhang , Zeng Jiren , Li Jun , Cui Xiaoqi , Al-Enizi Abdullah M. , Zhang Lijuan , Zheng Gengfeng
Published: June 2015

We review the recent research progress in one-dimensional nanostructured materials for different structured flexible supercapacitors.
A highly sensitive fluorescent light-up probe for real-time detection of the endogenous protein target and its antagonism in live cells
Authors: Geng Junlong , Goh Walter L. , Zhang Chongjing , Lane David P. , Liu Bin , Ghadessy Farid , Tan Yen Nee
Published: June 2015

A target-specific switchable fluorescent probe for cellular Mdm2 protein detection (off–on) and drug discovery applications (on–off) targeting the p53 pathway.
Monitoring of cell layer coverage and differentiation with the organic electrochemical transistor
Authors: Ramuz M. , Hama A. , Rivnay J. , Leleux P. , Owens R. M.
Published: June 2015

High resolution monitoring of cell layer integrity with the OECT was up until now, limited to high resistance, barrier tissue type cells. In this work, the sensitivity and versatility of the device is expanded to monitor all adherent cell types.
Photophysical and electroluminescence properties of bis(2′,6′-difluoro-2,3′-bipyridinato-N,C4′)iridium(picolinate) complexes: effect of electron-withdrawing and electron-donating group substituents at the 4′ position of the pyridyl moiety of the cyclometalated ligand
Authors: Bejoymohandas K. S. , Kumar Arunandan , Varughese S. , Varathan E. , Subramanian V. , Reddy M. L. P.
Published: June 2015

Electronic effects on the photophysics of Ir3+ compounds.
Effect of regioisomerism on the self-assembly and photophysical behavior of 1,3,4-thiadiazole-based polycatenars
Authors: Pathak Suraj Kumar , Nath Subrata , Gupta Ravindra Kumar , Rao D. S. Shankar , Prasad S. Krishna , Achalkumar Ammathnadu S.
Published: June 2015

The effects of regioisomerism on the self-assembly and luminescence of polycatenars have been investigated.
Impairment of Caloric Function After Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Kuang Heide , Haversat Heather H. , Michaelides Elias M.
Published: June 2015

Purpose

This article seeks to review current literature on caloric function following cochlear implantation while analyzing any correlations of caloric function changes with vestibular symptoms.

Method

This article is a systematic review of evidence-based literature. English language articles published between 1980 and 2014 that presented some form of caloric data from cochlear implant (CI) patients and that did not solely analyze overlapping data from a previous study were reviewed. Twenty-five articles met these criteria.

Results

Of the 439 individuals tested, 37% of patients demonstrated reduced maximum slow-phase velocity, and 34% had onset of caloric asymmetry post-CI.

Conclusions

This review article found that cochlear implantation can affect caloric responses but is variable. When counseling patients preoperatively, possible effects of CI on labyrinthine function should be discussed.
Auditory Processing in Specific Language Impairment (SLI): Relations With the Perception of Lexical and Phrasal Stress
Authors: Richards Susan , Goswami Usha
Published: June 2015

Purpose

We investigated whether impaired acoustic processing is a factor in developmental language disorders. The amplitude envelope of the speech signal is known to be important in language processing. We examined whether impaired perception of amplitude envelope rise time is related to impaired perception of lexical and phrasal stress in children with specific language impairment (SLI).

Method

Twenty-two children aged between 8 and 12 years participated in this study. Twelve had SLI; 10 were typically developing controls. All children completed psychoacoustic tasks measuring rise time, intensity, frequency, and duration discrimination. They also completed 2 linguistic stress tasks measuring lexical and phrasal stress perception.

Results

The SLI group scored significantly below the typically developing controls on both stress perception tasks. Performance on stress tasks correlated with individual differences in auditory sensitivity. Rise time and frequency thresholds accounted for the most unique variance. Digit Span also contributed to task success for the SLI group.

Conclusions

The SLI group had difficulties with both acoustic and stress perception tasks. Our data suggest that poor sensitivity to amplitude rise time and sound frequency significantly contributes to the stress perception skills of children with SLI. Other cognitive factors such as phonological memory are also implicated.
Classroom Noise and Teachers' Voice Production
Authors: Rantala Leena M. , Hakala Suvi , Holmqvist Sofia , Sala Eeva
Published: June 2015

Purpose

The aim of this study was to research the associations between noise (ambient and activity noise) and objective metrics of teachers' voices in real working environments (i.e., classrooms).

Method

Thirty-two female and 8 male teachers from 14 elementary schools were randomly selected for the study. Ambient noise was measured during breaks in unoccupied classrooms and, likewise, the noise caused by pupils' activity during lessons. Voice samples were recorded before and after a working day. Voice variables measured were sound pressure level (voice SPL), fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, and the tilt of the sound spectrum slope (alpha ratio).

Results

The ambient noise correlated most often with the fundamental frequency of men and voice SPL, whereas activity noise correlated with the alpha ratio and perturbation values. Teachers working in louder ambient noise spoke more loudly before work than those working in lower noise levels. Voice variables generally changed less during work among teachers working in loud activity noise than among those working in lower noise levels.

Conclusions

Ambient and activity noises affect teachers' voice use. Under loud ambient noise teachers seem to speak habitually loudly, and under loud activity noise teachers' ability to react to loading deteriorates.
Is There a Role for Exercise in the Management of Bulbar Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?
Authors: Plowman Emily K.
Published: June 2015

Purpose

The role of exercise in the management of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS) is controversial and currently unclear. The purpose of this review article is to review literature examining the impact of limb, respiratory, and oral motor exercise on function, disease progression, and survival in PALS and the transgenic ALS animal model.

Method

A literature review was conducted to examine relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 1960 and 2014. All studies were appraised for quality of research and were assigned a level of evidence, and treatment outcomes were classified as either positive, negative, or neutral.

Results

A total of 18 exercise-based intervention studies on limb (13), respiratory (3), or speech (2) function were identified. Of the human clinical trials, 6 were experimental and 4 were exploratory. No experimental studies were identified examining the impact of targeted exercise on speech or swallowing function. Mild to moderate intensity limb or respiratory exercise, applied early in the disease, was noted to have a beneficial impact on motor function and survival.

Conclusion

Insufficient data exist to support or refute the role of exercise in the management of bulbar dysfunction in PALS. This represents a critical area of future investigation.
Mesoscopic modeling of DNA denaturation rates: Sequence dependence and experimental comparison
Authors: Dahlen Oda , van Erp Titus S.
Published: June 2015

Using rare event simulation techniques, we calculated DNA denaturation rate constants for a range of sequences and temperatures for the Peyrard-Bishop-Dauxois (PBD) model with two different parameter sets. We studied a larger variety of sequences compared to previous studies that only consider DNA homopolymers and DNA sequences containing an equal amount of weak AT- and strong GC-base pairs. Our results show that, contrary to previous findings, an even distribution of the strong GC-base pairs does not always result in the fastest possible denaturation. In addition, we applied an adaptation of the PBD model to study hairpin denaturation for which experimental data are available. This is the first quantitative study in which dynamical results from the mesoscopic PBD model have been compared with experiments. Our results show that present parameterized models, although giving good results regarding thermodynamic properties, overestimate denaturation rates by orders of magnitude. We believe that our dynamical approach is, therefore, an important tool for verifying DNA models and for developing next generation models that have higher predictive power than present ones.
Electroosmosis of viscoelastic fluids over charge modulated surfaces in narrow confinements
Authors: Ghosh Uddipta , Chakraborty Suman
Published: June 2015

In the present work, we attempt to analyze the electroosmotic flow of a viscoelastic fluid, following quasi-linear constitutive behavior, over charge modulated surfaces in narrow confinements. We obtain analytical solutions for the flow field for thin electrical double layer (EDL) limit through asymptotic analysis for small Deborah numbers. We show that a combination of matched and regular asymptotic expansion is needed for the thin EDL limit. We subsequently determine the modified Smoluchowski slip velocity for viscoelastic fluids and show that the quasi-linear nature of the constitutive behavior adds to the periodicity of the flow. We also obtain the net throughput in the channel and demonstrate its relative decrement as compared to that of a Newtonian fluid. Our results may have potential implications towards augmenting microfluidic mixing by exploiting electrokinetic transport of viscoelastic fluids over charge modulated surfaces.
Direct coupled-channels deperturbation analysis of the A1Σ+ ∼ b3Π complex in LiCs with experimental accuracy
Authors: Kowalczyk P. , Jastrzebski W. , Szczepkowski J. , Pazyuk E. A. , Stolyarov A. V.
Published: June 2015

We have carried out the direct deperturbation analysis of about 780 rovibronic term values of the strongly spin-orbit (SO) coupled A1Σ+ and b3Π states of the 7Li133Cs molecule recorded by polarization labelling spectroscopy technique. The explicit A1Σ+ ∼ b3ΠΩ=0,1,2 coupled-channels treatment allowed us to reproduce 95% experimental term values with a standard deviation of 0.05 cm−1 which is close to the accuracy of the present experiment. The initial potential energy curves (PECs) of the mutually perturbed states and SO matrix elements were ab initio evaluated in the basis of the spin-averaged wave functions. The empirically refined PECs and SO functions, along with the theoretical transition dipole moments, were used to predict energy and radiative properties of the A ∼ b complex for low J levels of both 7Li133Cs and 6Li133Cs isotopologues. The reasonable candidates for the stimulated Raman transitions between initial Feshbach resonance states, the mixed levels of the A ∼ b complex, and absolute ground X1Σ+ (v = 0 and J = 0) state were identified.
Resonant infiltration of an opal: Reflection line shape and contribution from in-depth regions
Authors: Maurin Isabelle , Bloch Daniel
Published: June 2015

We analyze the resonant variation of the optical reflection on an infiltrated artificial opal made of transparent nanospheres. The resonant infiltration is considered as a perturbation in the frame of a previously described one-dimensional model based upon a stratified effective index. We show that for a thin slice of resonant medium, the resonant response oscillates with the position of this slice. We derive that for adequate conditions of incidence angle, this spatially oscillating behavior matches the geometrical periodicity of the opal and hence the related density of resonant infiltration. Close to these matching conditions, the resonant response of the global infiltration varies sharply in amplitude and shape with the incidence angle and polarization. The corresponding resonant reflection originates from a rather deep infiltration, up to several wavelengths or layers of spheres. Finally, we discuss the relationship between the present predictions and our previous observations on an opal infiltrated with a resonant vapor.