bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of different excitation modes for the analysis of light elements with a TXRF vacuum chamber
Authors: Prost J. , Wobrauschek P. , Streli C.
Published: May 2015

The aim of this work was to compare different excitation modes for the analysis of light elements from carbon (Z = 6) upwards using a total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF) vacuum chamber which allows the attachment of different X-ray tubes and detectors. In the first set of experiments, two water-cooled high-power X-ray tubes with Cr (Z = 25) and Cu (Z = 29) anodes, respectively, were compared with an air-cooled low-power tube with Mo anode (Z = 42) and a thin Be window for the transmission of Mo-L lines. In the first two cases, monochromatic Kα radiation was used for excitation, while in the case of the Mo tube the multilayer acted as a cut-off reflector and part of the Mo bremsstrahlung continuum together with the Mo-L series were used for excitation. Multi-element standards containing elements ranging from Na (Z = 11) to Ti (Z = 22) were analyzed by a silicon drift detector (SDD) with a 300 nm ultrathin polymer window (UTW). Detection limits were calculated and compared for the three excitation modes. The second set of experiments was performed using an air-cooled low-power X-ray tube with Rh anode (Z = 45) in order to show that a conventional SDD with a 25 μm beryllium window can be used for the detection of elements from Na upwards. The use of compact air-cooled low-power X-ray tubes together with Peltier-cooled SDDs with UTW should lead to the development of highly sensitive tabletop vacuum TXRF spectrometers with a design optimized for the analysis of light elements. Detection limits as achieved by vacuum chambers using conventional water-cooled high-power tubes (e.g. Streli et al., 2004) are realistically achievable with the new approach.
Temporal and spatial association of Streptococcus suis infection in humans and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome outbreaks in pigs in northern Vietnam
Authors: HUONG V. T. L. , THANH L. V. , PHU V. D. , TRINH D. T. , INUI K. , TUNG N. , OANH N. T. K. , TRUNG N. V. , HOA N. T. , BRYANT J. E. , HORBY P. W. , KINH N. V. , WERTHEIM H. F. L.
Published: May 2015

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) outbreaks in pigs are associated with increased susceptibility of pigs to secondary bacterial infections, including Streptococcus suis – an important zoonotic pathogen causing bacterial meningitis in humans. This case-control study examined the association between human S. suis infection and PRRS outbreaks in pigs in northern Vietnam. We included 90 S. suis case-patients and 183 non-S. suis sepsis controls from a referral hospital in Hanoi in 2010, a period of major PRRS epizootics in Vietnam. PRRS exposure was determined using data from the National Centre of Veterinary Diagnosis. By univariate analysis, significantly more S. suis patients were reported residing in or adjacent to a PRRS district compared to controls [odds ratio (OR) 2·82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·35–5·89 and OR 3·15, 95% CI 1·62–6·15, respectively]. Only residency in adjacent districts remained significantly associated with risk of S. suis infection after adjusting for sex, occupation, and eating practices. SaTScan analysis showed a possible cluster of S. suis infection in humans around PRRS confirmed locations during the March–August period. The findings indicate an epidemiological association between PRRS in pigs and S. suis infections in humans. Effective strategies to strengthen control of PRRS in pigs may help reduce transmission of S. suis infection to humans.
Freezing Eggs in a Warming World
Authors: LAWLOR ROB
Published: May 2015

Most discussions of population control focus on how many children people should have, but ignore issues to do with the timing, so there is little discussion of the value of delaying childbearing. Once we recognize that delaying childbearing can have a significant impact on the size of the population, and, therefore, on CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emissions, our perspective on egg freezing changes significantly. In this article, I argue that, if we focus on future generations in general, rather than focusing only on the children who would be conceived using frozen eggs, policies permitting or encouraging the freezing of eggs may reduce potential harms to future generations. This, I argue, may block the objections to egg freezing for non-medical reasons which focus on the potential risks to the child (without requiring an appeal to the non-identity problem).
Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Caregivers (MCP-C): Rationale and Overview
Authors: Applebaum Allison J. , Kulikowski Julia R. , Breitbart William
Published: May 2015

Objective:

The multidimensional burden that results from providing care to a patient with cancer is well documented and a growing number of psychosocial interventions have been developed to address this burden. None, however, target existential distress, a critical, common element — and potentially driving mechanism — of caregiver burden. Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) is a structured psychotherapeutic intervention originally developed by our group to target existential distress and spiritual well-being among patients with advanced cancer. We are currently developing Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Caregivers (MCP-C). The objective of this qualitative study is to describe the application of MCP to the unique experience of caregivers of patients with advanced cancer.

Methods:

A case study of a participant from an initial MCP-C group is presented, with a focus on the application of sources of meaning to the cancer caregiving experience.

Results:

The exploration of critical sources of meaning in the participant's life generally, and related to caregiving specifically, highlighted significant areas of growth, including an increased understanding of the historical context shaping her experience of providing care, the recognition of the need for improved self-care and reconnecting with meaningful activities, and the possibility for continued connectedness to others and the world, despite the limitations resulting from her husband's terminal illness.

Significance of results:

Existential distress is a critical and often overlooked element of burden among cancer caregivers. MCP-C is intended to target this component of burden and address this critical gap in the palliative care literature. Clinical trials are underway to evaluate the efficacy of MCP-C delivered over the Internet. Future studies are needed to evaluate the benefits of MCP-C for particularly burdened groups of caregivers, such as caregivers of patients with brain tumors and those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantations, and to identify target points of delivery that will optimize the intervention's benefits.
Multistakeholderism: anatomy of an inchoate global institution
Authors: Raymond Mark , DeNardis Laura
Published: May 2015

Building on John Ruggie’s pioneering study of multilateralism, this paper presents an analogous study of multistakeholder governance, or multistakeholderism. Its central argument is that multistakeholderism is, as yet, a much less well-defined institutional form. Cases exhibit significant variation both in the combinations of actor classes entitled to participate and the nature of authority relations among those actors. The first section discusses multistakeholderism as an institutional form, and proposes a taxonomy of its types. This section also briefly addresses the implications of the analysis for International Relations theory. The paper then conducts a comparative analysis of multistakeholderism, applying the taxonomy to five illustrative cases. It demonstrates the degree of inter-case variation, and the range of issue-areas across which the institutional form is employed and invoked by actors. Three cases are drawn from the increasingly contentious area of Internet governance; the paper thus makes a secondary contribution to this growing literature. The paper’s most striking finding in this regard is that Internet governance often fails to live up to its multistakeholder rhetoric. Other cases include governance of securities regulation and the governance of corporate social responsibility. The paper concludes by examining the implications of our argument, and identifying areas for further research.
Problems Concerning the International Law-Making Practice of ASEAN: A Reply to Chen Zhida
Authors: SEAH Daniel
Published: May 2015

The separate legal personality of ASEAN, an international organization, is a matter of some significance. ASEAN is capable of separate action and can carry rights and obligations on the international plane, as a distinct entity from its Member States. In this Journal, Chen Zhida advances the proposition that ASEAN is entitled to conclude treaties on behalf of its Member States, a practice which, it is argued, should be valid at international law. This paper responds by drawing attention to the difficulties with this argument on technical and conceptual grounds. For technical reasons, it is important to make a meaningful distinction in the ASEAN practice of concluding instruments such as Memoranda of Understandings, which can be distinguished from treaties. At a conceptual level, the treaty practice of ASEAN as a separate legal person must be based on what was consented to by Member States in the ASEAN Charter, a constituent instrument.
Normative Obsolescence of the WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement—Topography of the Global Use and Misuse of Initiations and Measures
Authors: CHAISSE Julien , CHAKRABORTY Debashis
Published: May 2015

The Anti-Dumping (AD) mechanism is susceptible to potential misuse for protectionist purposes, and the current explosion of AD disputes indicate a massive problem in the way international trade rules are implemented. The current World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations have identified areas within the Anti-Dumping Agreement (ADA) for possible reform; accordingly, the present analysis discusses these areas of concern relating to the AD provision. First, recent trends in AD practice will be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively to show the growing role of Asian economies. In particular, the traditional targets of AD activism, China and India, have initiated a number of AD investigations over the last decade, while imposing final measures on several occasions. Second, the ADA will be examined alongside a discussion of the potential risks of misinterpretation. Third, the paper will analyze all the complaints lodged at the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on ADA to date.
2014 Editors' Citations for Excellence in Refereeing
Authors:   AGU
Published: May 2015

The editors of AGU journals have selected outstanding reviewers for excellence in refereeing during 2014. These individuals are to be commended for consistently providing constructive and thoughtful reviews.
Musical Composition Conveys Climate Change Data
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: May 2015

A student at the University of Minnesota communicates climate change science in an innovative way.
The proto-oncogene survivin splice variant 2B is induced by PDGF and leads to cell proliferation in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes
Authors: Mokuda Sho , Miyazaki Tatsuhiko , Ito Yuki , Yamasaki Satoshi , Inoue Hiroko , Guo Yun , Kong Weng-Sheng , Kanno Masamoto , Takasugi Kiyoshi , Sugiyama Eiji , Masumoto Junya
Published: May 2015

Survivin is an independent prognostic factor for joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the expression and function of survivin in RA synoviocytes remain unclear. We certified the expression of survivin in RA synovial tissues and performed the experiment using RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) treated with siRNA. As a result, the expression levels of wild type (WT) survivin and the 2B splice variants in RA synovial tissues were higher than those in osteoarthritis tissue samples, and, these variants were highly expressed in RA-FLS. The expression levels of survivin-WT and -2B in the RA-FLS were upregulated by PDGF. Treatment with siRNA against survivin-2B led to decreased viability of PDGF-treated RA-FLS due to cell cycle suppression and apoptosis promotion, while the siRNA against all survivin isoforms did not affect the viability. Moreover, an overexpression of survivin-2B in RA-FLS led to cell proliferation through cell cycle activation and by conferring resistance to apoptosis. In conclusion, survivin-2B has an important role in RA-FLS proliferation. These data suggest that survivin-2B might contribute to rheumatoid synovial hyperplasia and have the potential as a novel therapeutic target for RA.
Direct Visualization of the Hydration Layer on Alumina Nanoparticles with the Fluid Cell STEM in situ
Authors: Firlar Emre , Çınar Simge , Kashyap Sanjay , Akinc Mufit , Prozorov Tanya
Published: May 2015

Rheological behavior of aqueous suspensions containing nanometer-sized powders is of relevance to many branches of industry. Unusually high viscosities observed for suspensions of nanoparticles compared to those of micron size powders cannot be explained by current viscosity models. Formation of so-called hydration layer on alumina nanoparticles in water was hypothesized, but never observed experimentally. We report here on the direct visualization of aqueous suspensions of alumina with the fluid cellin situ.We observe the hydration layer formed over the particle aggregates and show that such hydrated aggregates constitute new particle assemblies and affect the flow behavior of the suspensions. We discuss how these hydrated nanoclusters alter the effective solid content and the viscosity of nanostructured suspensions. Our findings elucidate the source of high viscosity observed for nanoparticle suspensions and are of direct relevance to many industrial sectors including materials, food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical among others employing colloidal slurries with nanometer-scale particles.
Biomass-derived functional porous carbons as novel electrode material for the practical detection of biomolecules in human serum and snail hemolymph
Authors: Veeramani Vediyappan , Madhu Rajesh , Chen Shen-Ming , Lou Bih-Show , Palanisamy Jayabal , Vasantha Vairathevar Sivasamy
Published: May 2015

The biomass-derived activated carbons (ACs) have been prepared with high surface areas up to 793 m2 g−1 is by ZnCl2 activation at three different temperatures, viz. AC700, AC800 and AC900. The AC samples were characterized by a variety of analytical and spectroscopy techniques. The as-synthesized ACs were adopted for the simultaneous electrochemical detection of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA). For comparison, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was employed for the proposed sensor. The high surface area, modulated pore size and the presence of oxygen surface functional groups like heteroatoms (83.427% C, 1.085% N, 0.383% S and 0.861% H) in the biomass-derived AC is found to be responsible for the excellent catalytic activities of biomolecules. Fascinatingly, the facile sensor further used to detect biomolecules levels in the snail hemolymph and human blood serum. Notably, the obtained analytical parameters for the biomolecules detection over the AC modified GCE, outperforming several carbon-based modified electrodes in literatures.
Flower evolution of alpine forbs in the open top chambers (OTCs) from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Zhang Chan , Wang Lin-Lin , Yang Yong-Ping , Duan Yuan-Wen
Published: May 2015

Effects of global changes on biodiversity have been paid more and more attention world widely and the open top chambers (OTCs) are the most common tools to study the effects of climatic warming on plant diversity. However, it remains unclear how flowers evolve under environmental changes, which could help us to understand the changes of plant diversity in the OTCs. We compared the insect diversity and pollen:ovule (P/O) ratio of eight outcrossing species with different life histories inside and outside the OTCs on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, to examine the effects induced by OTCs on the evolution of floral traits. In the OTCs, P/O ratio decreased in annuals, but increased in perennials, indicating an overall trend toward selfing in annuals. We found that the insect diversity differed significantly inside and outside the OTCS, with decreases of dipteran insects and bees. We concluded that changes of P/O ratio in the studied plant species might result from pollination failure, which might be the results of mismatch between flowering time and pollinator activities. We also suggested annuals might be in a more extinction risk than perennials in OTCs, if strong inbreeding depression occurs in these annual outcrossing plants.
Downscaling the Sample Thickness to Sub-Micrometers by Employing Organic Photovoltaic Materials as a Charge-Generation Layer in the Time-of-Flight Measurement
Authors: Liu Shun-Wei , Lee Chih-Chien , Su Wei-Cheng , Yuan Chih-Hsien , Lin Chun-Feng , Chen Kuan-Ting , Shu Yi-Sheng , Li Ya-Ze , Su Tsung-Hao , Huang Bo-Yao , Chang Wen-Chang , Liu Yu-Hsuan
Published: May 2015

Time-of-flight (TOF) measurements typically require a sample thickness of several micrometers for determining the carrier mobility, thus rendering the applicability inefficient and unreliable because the sample thicknesses are orders of magnitude higher than those in real optoelectronic devices. Here, we use subphthalocyanine (SubPc):C70 as a charge-generation layer (CGL) in the TOF measurement and a commonly hole-transporting layer, N,N’-diphenyl-N,N’-bis(1,1’-biphenyl)-4,4’-diamine (NPB), as a standard material under test. When the NPB thickness is reduced from 2 to 0.3 μm and with a thin 10-nm CGL, the hole transient signal still shows non-dispersive properties under various applied fields and thus the hole mobility is determined accordingly. Only 1-μm NPB is required for determining the electron mobility by using the proposed CGL. Both the thicknesses are the thinnest value reported to data. In addition, the flexibility of fabrication process of small molecules can deposit the proposed CGL underneath and atop the material under test. Therefore, this technique is applicable to small-molecule and polymeric materials. We also propose a new approach to design the TOF sample using an optical simulation. These results strongly demonstrate that the proposed technique is valuable tool in determining the carrier mobility and may spur additional research in this field.
Hydrodynamics of an Electrochemical Membrane Bioreactor
Authors: Wang Ya-Zhou , Wang Yun-Kun , He Chuan-Shu , Yang Hou-Yun , Sheng Guo-Ping , Shen Jin-You , Mu Yang , Yu Han-Qing
Published: May 2015

An electrochemical membrane bioreactor (EMBR) has recently been developed for energy recovery and wastewater treatment. The hydrodynamics of the EMBR would significantly affect the mass transfers and reaction kinetics, exerting a pronounced effect on reactor performance. However, only scarce information is available to date. In this study, the hydrodynamic characteristics of the EMBR were investigated through various approaches. Tracer tests were adopted to generate residence time distribution curves at various hydraulic residence times and three hydraulic models were developed to simulate the results of tracer studies. In addition, the detailed flow patterns of the EMBR were acquired from a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. Compared to the tank-in-series and axial dispersion ones, the Martin model could describe hydraulic performance of the EBMR better. CFD simulation results clearly indicated the existence of a preferential or circuitous flow in the EMBR. Moreover, the possible locations of dead zones in the EMBR were visualized through the CFD simulation. Based on these results, the relationship between the reactor performance and the hydrodynamics of EMBR was further elucidated relative to the current generation. The results of this study would benefit the design, operation and optimization of the EMBR for simultaneous energy recovery and wastewater treatment.
Granger causal time-dependent source connectivity in the somatosensory network
Authors: Gao Lin , Sommerlade Linda , Coffman Brian , Zhang Tongsheng , Stephen Julia M. , Li Dichen , Wang Jue , Grebogi Celso , Schelter Bjoern
Published: May 2015

Exploration of transient Granger causal interactions in neural sources of electrophysiological activities provides deeper insights into brain information processing mechanisms. However, the underlying neural patterns are confounded by time-dependent dynamics, non-stationarity and observational noise contamination. Here we investigate transient Granger causal interactions using source time-series of somatosensory evoked magnetoencephalographic (MEG) elicited by air puff stimulation of right index finger and recorded using 306-channel MEG from 21 healthy subjects. A new time-varying connectivity approach, combining renormalised partial directed coherence with state space modelling, is employed to estimate fast changing information flow among the sources. Source analysis confirmed that somatosensory evoked MEG was mainly generated from the contralateral primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and bilateral secondary somatosensory cortices (SII). Transient Granger causality shows a serial processing of somatosensory information, 1) from contralateral SI to contralateral SII, 2) from contralateral SI to ipsilateral SII, 3) from contralateral SII to contralateral SI and 4) from contralateral SII to ipsilateral SII. These results are consistent with established anatomical connectivity between somatosensory regions and previous source modeling results, thereby providing empirical validation of the time-varying connectivity analysis. We argue that the suggested approach provides novel information regarding transient cortical dynamic connectivity, which previous approaches could not assess.
Simultaneous Improvement of Hole and Electron Injection in Organic Field-effect Transistors by Conjugated Polymer-wrapped Carbon Nanotube Interlayers
Authors: Lee Seung-Hoon , Khim Dongyoon , Xu Yong , Kim Juhwan , Park Won-Tae , Kim Dong-Yu , Noh Yong-Young
Published: May 2015

Efficient charge injection is critical for flexible organic electronic devices such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and field-effect transistors (OFETs). Here, we investigated conjugated polymer-wrapped semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWNTs) as solution-processable charge-injection layers in ambipolar organic field-effect transistors with poly(thienylenevinylene-co-phthalimide)s. The interlayers were prepared using poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorene-alt-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT) or poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) to wrap s-SWNTs. In the contact-limited ambipolar OFETs, the interlayer led to significantly lower contact resistance (Rc) and increased mobilities for both holes and electrons. The resulting PTVPhI-Eh OFETs with PFO-wrapped s-SWNT interlayers showed very well-balanced ambipolar transport properties with a hole mobility of 0.5 cm2V-1S-1 and an electron mobility of 0.5 cm2V-1S-1 in linear regime. In addition, the chirality of s-SWNTs and kind of wrapping of conjugated polymers are not critical to improving charge-injection properties. We found that the improvements caused by the interlayer were due to the better charge injection at the metal/organic semiconductor contact interface and the increase in the charge concentration through a detailed examination of charge transport with low-temperature measurements. Finally, we successfully demonstrated complementary ambipolar inverters incorporating the interlayers without excessive patterning.
Shear induced carboplatin binding within the cavity of a phospholipid mimic for increased anticancer efficacy
Authors: Mo Jingxin , Eggers Paul K. , Chen Xianjue , Ahamed Muhammad Rizwan Hussain , Becker Thomas , Yong Lim Lee , Raston Colin L.
Published: May 2015

Vesicles 107 ± 19 nm in diameter, based on the self-assembly of tetra-para-phosphonomethyl calix[4]- arene bearing n-hexyl moieties attached to the phenolic oxygen centres, are effective in binding carboplatin within the cavity of the macrocycle under shear induced within a dynamic thin film in a continuous flow vortex fluidic device. Post shearing the vesicles maintain similar diameters and retain carboplatin within the cavity of the calixarene in a hierarchical structure, with their size and morphology investigated using DLS, TEM, SEM and AFM. Location of the carboplatin was confirmed using NMR, FTIR, ESI-MS and EFTEM, with molecular modelling favouring the polar groups of carboplatin hydrogen bonded to phosphonic acid moieties and the four member cyclobutane ring directed into the cavity of the calixarene. The loading efficiency and release profile of carboplatin was investigated using LC-TOF/MS, with the high loading of the drug achieved under shear and preferential released at pH 5.5, offering scope for anti-cancer drug delivery. The hierarchical structured vesicles increase the efficacy of carboplatin by 4.5 fold on ovarian cancer cells, lowered the IC50 concentration by 10 fold and markedly increased the percent of cells in the S-phase (DNA replication) of the cell cycle.
Structural and functional characterization of a novel scFv anti-HSP60 of Strongyloides sp.
Authors: Levenhagen Marcelo Arantes , de Almeida Araújo Santos Fabiana , Fujimura Patrícia Tiemi , Carneiro Ana Paula , Costa-Cruz Julia Maria , Goulart Luiz Ricardo
Published: May 2015

Phage display is a powerful technology that selects specific proteins or peptides to a target. We have used Phage Display to select scFv (single-chain variable fragment) clones from a combinatorial library against total proteins ofStrongyloides venezuelensis. After scFv characterization, further analysis demonstrated that this recombinant fragment of antibody was able to bind to anS. venezuelensisantigenic fraction of ~65 kDa, present in the body periphery and digestive system of infective larvae (L3), as demonstrated by immunofluorescence. Mass spectrometry results followed by bioinformatics analysis showed that this antigenic fraction was a heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) ofStrongyloidessp. The selected scFv was applied in serodiagnosis by immune complexes detection in serum samples from individuals with strongyloidiasis using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), showing sensitivity of 97.5% (86.84–99.94), specificity of 98.81 (93.54–99.97), positive likelihood ratio of 81.60 and an area under the curve of 0.9993 (0.9973–1.000). Our study provided a novel monoclonal scFv antibody fragment which specifically bound to HSP60 ofStrongyloidessp. and was applied in the development of an innovative serodiagnosis method for the human strongyloidiasis.
Comprehensive analysis of individual pulp fiber bonds quantifies the mechanisms of fiber bonding in paper
Authors: Hirn Ulrich , Schennach Robert
Published: May 2015

The process of papermaking requires substantial amounts of energy and wood consumption, which contributes to larger environmental costs. In order to optimize the production of papermaking to suit its many applications in material science and engineering, a quantitative understanding of bonding forces between the individual pulp fibers is of importance. Here we show the first approach to quantify the bonding energies contributed by the individual bonding mechanisms. We calculated the impact of the following mechanisms necessary for paper formation: mechanical interlocking, interdiffusion, capillary bridges, hydrogen bonding, Van der Waals forces and Coulomb forces on the bonding energy. Experimental results quantify the area in molecular contact necessary for bonding. Atomic force microscopy experiments derive the impact of mechanical interlocking. Capillary bridges also contribute to the bond. A model based on the crystal structure of cellulose leads to values for the chemical bonds. In contrast to general believe which favors hydrogen bonding Van der Waals bonds play the most important role according to our model. Comparison with experimentally derived bond energies support the presented model. This study characterizes bond formation between pulp fibers leading to insight that could be potentially used to optimize the papermaking process, while reducing energy and wood consumption.
Spin-dependent Seebeck Effect, Thermal Colossal Magnetoresistance and Negative Differential Thermoelectric Resistance in Zigzag Silicene Nanoribbon Heterojunciton
Authors: Fu Hua-Hua , Wu Dan-Dan , Zhang Zu-Quan , Gu Lei
Published: May 2015

Spin-dependent Seebeck effect (SDSE) is one of hot topics in spin caloritronics, which examine the relationships between spin and heat transport in materials. Meanwhile, it is still a huge challenge to obtain thermally induced spin current nearly without thermal electron current. Here, we construct a hydrogen-terminated zigzag silicene nanoribbon heterojunction and find that by applying a temperature difference between the source and the drain, spin-up and spin-down currents are generated and flow in opposite directions with nearly equal magnitudes, indicating that the thermal spin current dominates the carrier transport while the thermal electron current is much suppressed. By modulating the temperature, a pure thermal spin current can be achieved. Moreover, a thermoelectric rectifier and a negative differential thermoelectric resistance can be obtained in the thermal electron current. Through the analysis of the spin-dependent transport characteristics, a phase diagram containing various spin caloritronic phenomena is provided. In addition, a thermal magnetoresistance, which can reach infinity, is also obtained. Our results put forward an effective route to obtain a spin caloritronic material which can be applied in future low-power-consumption technology.
Common AZFc structure may possess the optimal spermatogenesis efficiency relative to the rearranged structures mediated by non-allele homologous recombination
Authors: Yang Bo , Ma Yong-yi , Liu Yun-qiang , Li Lei , Yang Dong , Tu Wen-ling , Shen Ying , Dong Qiang , Yang Yuan
Published: May 2015

The azoopsermia factor c (AZFc) region of human Y-chromosome is an essential genomic segment for spermatogenesis with frequent non-allele homologous recombination (NAHR). Recent case-control studies on the association of the NAHR-based AZFc structural mutations with spermatogenic failure produced inconsistent results. To more precisely evaluate their spermatogenesis effects, we investigated the correlation between the subdivided AZFc mutations and sperm production in 3,439 Han Chinese males. Our results showed that both partial AZFc deletion-only and primary duplication mutation presented a significant risk for decreased sperm production. Restoration of the reduced dosage of the AZFc content to the normal level had a milder effect, whereas an overdose of the AZFc content arising from multiple duplications of a partial AZFc-deleted structure produced a more serious consequence compared to the partial deletion-only mutation. Additionally, the AZFc-mutated structures with excessive NAHR-substrate showed a notably negative effect on spermatogenesis. These results suggest that the recurrent NAHR-based AZFc mutations may be associated with decreased spermatogenesis efficiency in present population. More significantly, our finding implies that the overdose of AZFc NAHR-substrate may produce an additional risk for the massive AZFbc deletions during the multi-stage division process of germ cells and thus impair the global spermatogenesis efficiency in the carriers.
Rapid degradation of methylene blue in a novel heterogeneous Fe3O4 @rGO@TiO2-catalyzed photo-Fenton system
Authors: Yang Xiaoling , Chen Wei , Huang Jianfei , Zhou Ying , Zhu Yihua , Li Chunzhong
Published: May 2015

Herein, a ternary nanocomposite with TiO2 nanoparticles anchored on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-encapsulated Fe3O4 spheres (Fe3O4@rGO@TiO2) is presented as a high efficient heterogeneous catalyst for photo-Fenton degradation of recalcitrant pollutants under neutral pH. Fe3O4@rGO@TiO2 was synthesized by depositing TiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of the Fe3O4 spheres wrapped by graphene oxide (GO) which was obtained by an electrostatic layer-by-layer method. This as-prepared catalyst reflected good ferromagnetism and superior stability which makes it convenient to be separated and recycled. Due to the synergic effects between the different components composed the catalyst, swift reduction of Fe3+ can be achieved to regenerate Fe2+. Fe3O4@rGO@TiO2 exhibited enhancing catalytic activity for the degradation of azo-dyes compared with Fe3O4, Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 or SiO2@rGO@TiO2, further conforming the rapid redox reaction between Fe2+ and Fe3+. All these merits indicate that the composite catalyst possesses great potential for visible-light driven destruction of organic compounds.
Chemical Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Authors: Qian Xuhong , Zhao Zhenjiang , Xu Yufang , Xu Jian-He , Zhang Y.-H. , Zhang Jingyan , Yong Yang-Chun , Hu Fengxian
Published: May 2015

In biotechnology and bioengineering, small molecules can be used to increase the efficiency reduce the cost and damage to the environment of certain bioprocesses. This book introduces readers to the important field of chemically promoted biotechnology and bioengineering and presents the theory behind the biotechnology of enzymatic reactions and how they can be chemically enhanced. The book covers chemical modulators for enzymatic reactions, chemically promoted biotechnology in plant cell cultures, chemically promoted biotechnology for plant protection and future prospects for the field. Knowledge gained allows both chemists to make use of biotechnology to solve chemical problems in an environmentally-friendly way, and biologists to make use of chemistry to increase biotechnological efficiency. This book is useful for scientists in a broad range of disciplines, including agricultural chemistry, pesticide science, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, bio-organic chemistry, cell and molecular biology. Students and researchers in both academia and industry will find it a useful handbook.
From Chemical Biology to Its Technology and Engineering
Authors: Qian Xuhong , Zhao Zhenjiang , Xu Jian-he , Xu Yufang , Zhang Yi-Heng Percival , Hu Fengxian , Zhang Jingyan , Yong Yang-Chun
Published: May 2015

In this chapter, the history of biotechnology from original fermentation to genetic engineering is introduced concisely. New expressions from chemical biology to chemically promoted biotechnology and bioengineering are introduced. The focus is on the applications of chemistry to biotechnology, which is directly simplified as “chemical biotechnology”. Some examples of chemically promoted biotechnologies are taken to illustrate this concept, such as: modulators in enzymatic reactions; small molecules and carbon materials in the regulation of non-canonical DNA structures; chemically promoted biomimetic cofactors in in vitro biosystems for the production of high-value chemicals and low-value biocommodities; some chemicals used in microbial electrochemical systems (MES) to improve the performance/efficiency of extracellular electron transfer between the bacteria and the electrode; elicitors in plant cell culture; and plant activators in crop protection.
Chemical Bioengineering in Microbial Electrochemical Systems
Authors: Zhai Dan-Dan , Yong Yang-Chun
Published: May 2015

Microbial electrochemical systems (MES) are a relatively new electrochemistry research field and hold great potential for various applications by taking advantage of the metabolic diversity of microorganisms and the flexibility of electrochemical techniques. During the past few decades, a large variety of interesting and novel applications such as energy-generating wastewater treatment, bioelectrochemical CO2 fixation and transformation, bioelectrochemical hydrogen synthesis, desalination, and waste heating energy harvesting have been demonstrated. Meanwhile, multidisciplinary research to improve the performance/efficiency of MES is attracting widespread interest. In the light of deeper understanding of MES through chemistry and biology studies, new interdisciplinary chemical biotechnology research taking advantage of both disciplines is emerging and becoming a hot research topic in this area. In this chapter, the great contributions of chemical bioengineering to MES are highlighted. In particular, augmentation of extracellular electron transfer between bacteria and the electrode by chemicals, conductive polymers, and carbon nanomaterials are reviewed. Moreover, other chemical bioengineering approaches to improve MES through manipulation of cell physiology, such as by surfactant and metal ion treatment, quorum sensing signaling modulation, and cell immobilization, are also emphasized. Future directions for chemical bioengineering of MES are also discussed.
Chemical Bioengineering in Plant Cell Culture
Authors: Hu Fengxian , Xu Yufang , Zhao Zhenjiang
Published: May 2015

Plant secondary metabolites are widely used as valuable medicines, such as paclitaxel, ginsenosides, artemisinin, food additives, and flavors. Plant cell culture technology is a promising alternative method for the mass production of valuable secondary metabolites. Among the manipulative techniques available to promote the productivity of useful secondary metabolites from plant cell cultures, chemical elicitation is one of the best approaches for dramatically increasing secondary metabolite yields. Jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonate (MJA), derived from linolenic acid, are important natural chemical elicitors. Exogenously adding MJA was shown to enhance production of secondary metabolites in a variety of plant species. Similarly, some synthetic elicitors from plant activators have been proved to be effective in production of secondary metabolites. In this chapter, we describe cell culture processes promoted by a series of synthetic elicitors, including MJA derivatives and benzothiadiazole derivatives, which we describe as chemical biotechnology and bioengineering. The results show that these synthetic elicitor derivatives greatly promote valuable secondary metabolites production in both Taxus chinensis and Panax notoginseng culture cells, which lays the foundation for the industrial application of valuable secondary metabolites (taxanes and ginsenosides).
Selective inhibition of the hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase PHD3 by Zn(ii)
Authors: Na Yu-Ran , Woo Dustin J. , Choo Hyunah , Chung Hak Suk , Yang Eun Gyeong
Published: May 2015

Zn(ii) selectively inhibits PHD3 over PHD2 by interacting with Cys42 and Cys52 residues located distantly from the active site.
Highly nanoporous silicas with pore apertures near the boundary between micro- and mesopores through an orthogonal self-assembly approach
Authors: Muraoka Koki , Chaikittisilp Watcharop , Yanaba Yutaka , Yoshikawa Takeshi , Okubo Tatsuya
Published: May 2015

Nanoporous silicas with pore diameters across the boundary between micro- and mesopores have been achieved using novel anionic structure-directing agents facilitating multiple interactions orthogonally.
An electron-conducting pyrene-fused phenazinothiadiazole
Authors: Marco A. Belen , Cortizo-Lacalle Diego , Gozalvez Cristian , Olano Mikel , Atxabal Ainhoa , Sun Xiangnan , Melle-Franco Manuel , Hueso Luis E. , Mateo-Alonso Aurelio
Published: May 2015

A pyrene-fused phenazinothiadiazole that shows electron mobilities (μe= 0.016 cm2V−1s−1) two orders of magnitude higher than those reported for pyrene-fused pyrazaacenes is described.
Peptoid nanosheets as soluble, two-dimensional templates for calcium carbonate mineralization
Authors: Jun Joo Myung V. , Altoe M. Virginia P. , Aloni Shaul , Zuckermann Ronald N.
Published: May 2015

Free-floating organic/inorganic 2D platelets of controlled nanoscale thickness were prepared by mineralizing calcium carbonate layers on peptoid nanosheets in aqueous solution.
pH switchable anion transport by an oxothiosquaramide
Authors: Elmes Robert B. P. , Busschaert Nathalie , Czech Dawid D. , Gale Philip A. , Jolliffe Katrina A.
Published: May 2015

An oxothiosquaramide was shown to bind to chloride through hydrogen bonding interactions in DMSO and found to exhibit pH switchable chloride transport across phospholipid bilayers via an antiport transport mechanism.
A facile one-step fabrication of novel WO3/Fe2(WO4)3·10.7H2O porous microplates with remarkable photocatalytic activities
Authors: Aslam Imran , Cao Chuanbao , Tanveer M. , Farooq M. Hassan , Tahir Muhammad , Khalid Syed , Khan Waheed S. , Idrees Faryal , Rizwan Muhammad , Butt Faheem K.
Published: May 2015

Novel microplates of WO3/Fe2(WO4)3·10.7H2O were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal technique. The photocatalyst exhibited remarkable photocatalytic activity.
Specific ion effects on the electrokinetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles: experiments and simulations
Authors: Vereda Fernando , Martín-Molina Alberto , Hidalgo-Alvarez Roque , Quesada-Pérez Manuel
Published: May 2015

Specific ion effects have been observed in the magnetite/water interface. Monte Carlo simulations qualitatively explain them in terms of ion size and ionic polarizabilities.
A key discovery at the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface: slow local charge compensation and a reversible electric field
Authors: Yang Wenxing , Pazoki Meysam , Eriksson Anna I. K. , Hao Yan , Boschloo Gerrit
Published: May 2015

Photo-induced absorption spectroscopy on dye-sensitized solar cells reveals reversible electron-induced cation adsorption at the TiO2 surface, resulting in changes of the surface electric field.
Heat conduction in double-walled carbon nanotubes with intertube additional carbon atoms
Authors: Cui Liu , Feng Yanhui , Tan Peng , Zhang Xinxin
Published: May 2015

Theoretical insights into the heat transfer performance and its reduction mechanisms in double-walled carbon nanotubes with intertube additional carbon atoms.
Towards an accurate and computationally-efficient modelling of Fe(ii)-based spin crossover materials
Authors: Vela Sergi , Fumanal Maria , Ribas-Arino Jordi , Robert Vincent
Published: May 2015

A theoretical approach is proposed to accurately calculate the LS–HS energy gap of SCO complexes in the solid state.
The relationship between phenolic compounds from diet and microbiota: impact on human health
Authors: Valdés L. , Cuervo A. , Salazar N. , Ruas-Madiedo P. , Gueimonde M. , González S.
Published: May 2015

The human intestinal tract is home to a complex microbial community called microbiota.
Numerical study of acoustophoretic motion of particles in a PDMS microchannel driven by surface acoustic waves
Authors: Nama Nitesh , Barnkob Rune , Mao Zhangming , Kähler Christian J. , Costanzo Francesco , Huang Tony Jun
Published: May 2015

We present a numerical study of the acoustophoretic motion of particles suspended in a liquid-filled PDMS microchannel on a lithium niobate substrate acoustically driven by surface acoustic waves.
Natural products in soil microbe interactions and evolution
Authors: Traxler Matthew F. , Kolter Roberto
Published: May 2015

Gram positive bacteria from the soil have historically been a deep source of useful natural products. This article considers how natural products may mediate microbial interactions in the soil environment.
Ionic compatibilization of polypropylene/polyamide 6 blends using an ionic liquids/nanotalc filler combination: morphology, thermal and mechanical properties
Authors: Yousfi M. , Livi S. , Dumas A. , Crépin-Leblond J. , Greenhill-Hooper M. , Duchet-Rumeau J.
Published: May 2015

In this study, room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) based on phosphonium cations have been used as effective compatibilizers of polyolefin/polyamide 6/synthetic talc blends using a melt extrusion process.
Tri(N-carbazolyl)triphenylamine-based starburst organic dyes: effects of different acceptors on the optical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties
Authors: Qian Xing , Chang Wen-Ying , Zhu Yi-Zhou , Wang Shan-Shan , Pan Bin , Lu Lin , Zheng Jian-Yu
Published: May 2015

Novel tri(N-carbazolyl)triphenylamine-based organic dyes were designed, synthesized and applied as photosensitizers for DSSCs.
Poly(arylene ether ketone)s with pendant porphyrins: synthesis and investigation on optical limiting properties
Authors: Du Yinlong , Zhu Kai , Fang Yu , Zhang Shuling , Zhang Xingrui , Lu Yaning , Yang Yanchao , Song Yinglin , Wang Guibin
Published: May 2015

A series of poly(arylene ether ketone)s with porphyrin pendants were synthesized, which exhibited superior NLO, optical limiting and good thermal properties as novel polymer NLO materials.
Superhydrophobic surface formation and modulation in a biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride derivative self-assembly system via changing alkyl chain lengths
Authors: Cao Xinhua , Gao Aiping , Lv Haiting , Lan Haichuang , Cheng Qiuli , Zhao Na
Published: May 2015

A Superhydrophobic surface with lotus effect was formed via low weight molecule self-assembly.
A room-temperature liquid crystalline polymer based on discotic 1,3,4-oxadizole
Authors: Han Jie , Wang Zhuo-Zhi , Wu Jing , Zhu Li-Rong
Published: May 2015

A side-chain polymer based on discotic 1,3,4-oxadiazole displays liquid crystalline properties at the room temperature region, and exhibits photoluminescent behaviors in solution, the solid state and liquid crystalline mesophase.
pH/temperature dependent selective removal of trace Cr(vi) from aqueous solution by imidazolium ionic liquid functionalized magnetic carbon nanotubes
Authors: Wu Chunlai , Fan Jing , Jiang Juhui , Wang Jianji
Published: May 2015

Ionic liquid functionalized magnetic carbon nanotube (Fe3O4/CNT-IL) was prepared and used for selective removal of Cr(vi).
The impact of molecular stacking interactions on the electronic structure and charge transport properties in distyrylbenzene (DSB-) based D–A complexes: a theoretical study
Authors: Chen Xi , Bai Fu-Quan , Wang Hai-Tao , Zhang Hong-Xing , Tang Yongan
Published: May 2015

Comparison and prediction of the D–A configuration and electrical/optical properties of three mixed-stack D–A cocrystal complexes have been investigated by density functional theory.
Electronic structures of two types of TiO2 electrodes: inverse opal and nanoparticulate cases
Authors: Toyoda Taro , Yindeesuk Witoon , Okuno Tsuyoshi , Akimoto Masaya , Kamiyama Keita , Hayase Shuzi , Shen Qing
Published: May 2015

We present a comparison between the electronic structures of inverse opal (IO) and nanoparticulate (NP)-TiO2 electrodes.
Facile laser-assisted synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles covered by a carbon shell with tunable luminescence
Authors: García-Calzada Raúl , Rodio Marina , Bagga Komal , Intartaglia Romuald , Bianchini Paolo , Chirvony Vladimir S. , Martínez-Pastor Juan P.
Published: May 2015

Inorganic nanoparticles covered by luminescent carbon shell are prepared by one-step laser based synthesis.
A water-soluble antimicrobial acrylamide copolymer containing sulfitobetaine for enhanced oil recovery
Authors: Gou Shaohua , He Yang , Ma Yongtao , Luo Shan , Zhang Qin , Jing Dong , Guo Qipeng
Published: May 2015

A novel antimicrobial copolymer containing sulfitobetaine is studied and has excellent application potential in EOR.
Enhancement of performance in porous bead-based microchip sensors: effects of chip geometry on bio-agent capture
Authors: Kulla Eliona , Chou Jie , Simmons Glennon W. , Wong Jorge , McRae Michael P. , Patel Rushi , Floriano Pierre N. , Christodoulides Nicolaos , Leach Robin J. , Thompson Ian M. , McDevitt John T.
Published: May 2015

Measuring low concentrations of clinically-important biomarkers using porous bead-based lab-on-a-chip (LOC) platforms is critical for the successful implementation of point-of-care (POC) devices.
Improving lithium–sulfur battery performance via a carbon-coating layer derived from the hydrothermal carbonization of glucose
Authors: Zhang Songtao , Li Nianwu , Lu Hongling , Zheng Jiafei , Zang Rui , Cao Jieming
Published: May 2015

After wrapping AC–S with a carbon-coating layer, the obtained composite can effectively confine polysulfides.
Straightforward phase-transfer route to colloidal iron oxide nanoparticles for protein immobilization
Authors: Vilas-Boas V. , Guldris N. , Carbó-Argibay E. , Stroppa D. G. , Cerqueira M. F. , Espiña B. , Rivas J. , Rodríguez-Abreu C. , Kolen'ko Yu. V.
Published: May 2015

Removal of hydrophobic ligand enables a convenient phase-transfer route to aqueous magnetic nanocolloid that shows excellent protein immobilization capability.