bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dental pulp-derived stem cell conditioned medium reduces cardiac injury following ischemia-reperfusion
Authors: Yamaguchi Satoshi , Shibata Rei , Yamamoto Noriyuki , Nishikawa Masaya , Hibi Hideharu , Tanigawa Tohru , Ueda Minoru , Murohara Toyoaki , Yamamoto Akihito
Published: November 2015

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) can regenerate various tissues. We investigated the impact of SHED-conditioned medium (SHED-CM) on myocardial injury in a mouse model of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion. SHED-CM was intravenously injected at 5 min after reperfusion. Administration of SHED-CM reduced myocardial infarct size as well as decreased apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine levels, such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-β, in the myocardium following I/R. In cultured cardiac myocytes, SHED-CM significantly suppressed apoptosis under hypoxia/serum-deprivation and reduced LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Furthermore, anti-apoptotic action of SHED-CM was stronger than bone marrow-derived stem cell (BMSC)-CM or adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC)-CM in cardiac myocytes. SHED-CM contains a higher concentration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) than BMSC-CM and ADSC-CM and neutralization of HGF attenuated the inhibitory actions of SHED-CM on apoptosis in cardiac myocytes. Finally, WT mice were intravenously treated with an HGF-depleted SHED-CM, followed by myocardial I/R. HGF depletion significantly attenuated the inhibitory actions of SHED-CM on myocardial infarct size and apoptosis after I/R. SHED-CM protects the heart from acute ischemic injury because it suppresses inflammation and apoptosis. SHED-CM could be a useful treatment option for acute myocardial infarction.
Interaction between SLC6A4 promoter variants and childhood trauma on the age at onset of bipolar disorders
Authors: Etain B. , Lajnef M. , Henrion A. , Dargél A.A. , Stertz L. , Kapczinski F. , Mathieu F. , Henry C. , Gard S. , Kahn J. P. , Leboyer M. , Jamain S. , Bellivier F.
Published: November 2015

Age at onset (AAO) of bipolar disorders (BD) could be influenced both by a repeat length polymorphism (5HTTLPR) in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) and exposure to childhood trauma. We assessed 308 euthymic patients with BD for the AAO of their first mood episode and childhood trauma. Patients were genotyped for the 5HTTLPR (long/short variant) and the rs25531. Genotypes were classified on functional significance (LL, LS, SS). A sample of 126 Brazilian euthymic patients with BD was used for replication. In the French sample, the correlation between AAO and trauma score was observed only among ‘SS’ homozygotes (p = 0.002) but not among ‘L’ allele carriers. A history of at least one trauma decreased the AAO only in ‘SS’ homozygotes (p = 0.001). These results remained significant after correction using FDR. Regression models suggested an interaction between emotional neglect and ‘SS’ genotype on the AAO (p = 0.009) and no further interaction with other trauma subtypes. Partial replication was obtained in the Brazilian sample, showing an interaction between emotional abuse and ‘LS’ genotype on the AAO (p = 0.02). In conclusion, an effect of childhood trauma on AAO of BD was observed only in patients who carry a specific stress responsiveness-related SLC6A4 promoter genotype.
Microbial immigration across the Mediterranean via airborne dust
Authors: Rosselli Riccardo , Fiamma Maura , Deligios Massimo , Pintus Gabriella , Pellizzaro Grazia , Canu Annalisa , Duce Pierpaolo , Squartini Andrea , Muresu Rosella , Cappuccinelli Pietro
Published: November 2015

Dust particles lifting and discharge from Africa to Europe is a recurring phenomenon linked to air circulation conditions. The possibility that microorganisms are conveyed across distances entails important consequences in terms of biosafety and pathogens spread. Using culture independent DNA-based analyses via next generation sequencing of the 16 S genes from the airborne metagenome, the atmospheric microbial community was characterized and the hypothesis was tested that shifts in species diversity could be recorded in relation to dust discharge. As sampling ground the island of Sardinia was chosen, being an ideal cornerstone within the Mediterranean and a crossroad of wind circulation amidst Europe and Africa. Samples were collected in two opposite coastal sites and in two different weather conditions comparing dust-conveying winds from Africa with a control situation with winds from Europe. A major conserved core microbiome was evidenced but increases in species richness and presence of specific taxa were nevertheless observed in relation to each wind regime. Taxa which can feature strains with clinical implications were also detected. The approach is reported as a recommended model monitoring procedure for early warning alerts in frameworks of biosafety against natural spread of clinical microbiota across countries as well as to prevent bacteriological warfare.
Intriguing Electrostatic Potential of CO: Negative Bond-ends and Positive Bond-cylindrical-surface
Authors: Kim Hahn , Doan Van Dung , Cho Woo Jong , Valero Rosendo , Aliakbar Tehrani Zahra , Madridejos Jenica Marie L. , Kim Kwang S.
Published: November 2015

The strong electronegativity of O dictates that the ground state of singlet CO has positively charged C and negatively charged O, in agreement with ab initio charge analysis, but in disagreement with the dipole direction. Though this unusual phenomenon has been fairly studied, the study of electrostatic potential (EP) for noncovalent interactions of CO is essential for better understanding. Here we illustrate that both C and O atom-ends show negative EP (where the C end gives more negative EP), favoring positively charged species, whereas the cylindrical surface of the CO bond shows positive EP, favoring negatively charged ones. This is demonstrated from the interactions of CO with Na+, Cl–, H2O, CO and benzene. It can be explained by the quadrupole driven electrostatic nature of CO (like N2) with very weak dipole moment. The EP is properly described by the tripole model taking into account the electrostatic multipole moments, which has a large negative charge at a certain distance protruded from C, a large positive charge on C and a small negative charge on O. We also discuss the EP of the first excited triplet CO.
X–ray absorption, phase and dark–field tomography through a beam tracking approach
Authors: Vittoria Fabio A. , Endrizzi Marco , Diemoz Paul C. , Zamir Anna , Wagner Ulrich H. , Rau Christoph , Robinson Ian K. , Olivo Alessandro
Published: November 2015

We present a development of the beam–tracking approach that allows its implementation in computed tomography. One absorbing mask placed before the sample and a high resolution detector are used to track variations in the beam intensity distribution caused by the sample. Absorption, refraction and dark–field are retrieved through a multi–Gaussian interpolation of the beam. Standard filtered back projection is used to reconstruct three dimensional maps of the real and imaginary part of the refractive index and of the dark–field signal. While the method is here demonstrated using synchrotron radiation, its low coherence requirements suggest a possible implementation with laboratory sources.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Inhibits RAB7 Recruitment to Selectively Modulate Autophagy Flux in Macrophages
Authors: Chandra Pallavi , Ghanwat Swapnil , Matta Sumit Kumar , Yadav Swati Seth , Mehta Mansi , Siddiqui Zaved , Singh Amit , Kumar Dhiraj
Published: November 2015

Here we report a novel regulatory mechanism for autophagy-mediated degradation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and specific strategy exploited by the virulent Mtb to evade it. We show while both avirulent (H37Ra) and virulent (H37Rv) mycobacteria could readily localize to autophagosomes, their maturation into autolysosomes (flux) was significantly inhibited by the latter strain. The inhibition of autophagy flux by the virulent strain was highly selective, as it did not perturb the basal autophagy flux in the macrophages. Selective inhibition of flux of Mtb-containing autophagosomes required virulence regulators PhoP and ESAT-6. We show that the maturation of Mtb-containing autophagosomes into autolysosomes required recruitment of the late endosome marker RAB7, forming the intermediate compartment amphisomes. Virulent Mtb selectively evaded their targeting to the amphisomes. Thus we report a crosstalk between autophagy and phagosome maturation pathway and highlight the adaptability of Mtb, manifested by selective regulation of autophagy flux.
Rapid and robust generation of long-term self-renewing human neural stem cells with the ability to generate mature astroglia
Authors: Palm Thomas , Bolognin Silvia , Meiser Johannes , Nickels Sarah , Träger Claudia , Meilenbrock Ralf-Leslie , Brockhaus Johannes , Schreitmüller Miriam , Missler Markus , Schwamborn Jens Christian
Published: November 2015

Induced pluripotent stem cell bear the potential to differentiate into any desired cell type and hold large promise for disease-in-a-dish cell-modeling approaches. With the latest advances in the field of reprogramming technology, the generation of patient-specific cells has become a standard technology. However, directed and homogenous differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into desired specific cell types remains an experimental challenge. Here, we report the development of a novel hiPSCs-based protocol enabling the generation of expandable homogenous human neural stem cells (hNSCs) that can be maintained under self-renewing conditions over high passage numbers. Our newly generated hNSCs retained differentiation potential as evidenced by the reliable generation of mature astrocytes that display typical properties as glutamate up-take and expression of aquaporin-4. The hNSC-derived astrocytes showed high activity of pyruvate carboxylase as assessed by stable isotope assisted metabolic profiling. Moreover, using a cell transplantation approach, we showed that grafted hNSCs were not only able to survive but also to differentiate into astroglial in vivo. Engraftments of pluripotent stem cells derived from somatic cells carry an inherent tumor formation potential. Our results demonstrate that hNSCs with self-renewing and differentiation potential may provide a safer alternative strategy, with promising applications especially for neurodegenerative disorders.
Rapid identification of haloarchaea and methanoarchaea using the matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Shih Chao-Jen , Chen Sheng-Chung , Weng Chieh-Yin , Lai Mei-Chin , Yang Yu-Liang
Published: November 2015

The aim of this study was to classify certain environmental haloarchaea and methanoarchaea using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and to expand the archaeal mass spectral database. A total of 69 archaea were collected including type strains and samples isolated locally from different environments. For extraction of the haloarchaeal total cell peptides/proteins, a simple method of acetonitrile extraction was developed. Cluster analysis conducted with the MALDI-TOF MS data overcame the high divergence in intragenomic 16S rRNA sequences in haloarchaea and clearly distinguished Methanohalophilus mahii from M. portucalensis. Putative biomarkers that can distinguish several particular archaeal genera were also assigned. In conclusion, this study expands the mass spectral database of peptide/protein fingerprints from bacteria and fungi to the archaea domain and provides a rapid identification platform for environmental archaeal samples.
(Z)3,4,5,4′-trans-tetramethoxystilbene, a new analogue of resveratrol, inhibits gefitinb-resistant non-small cell lung cancer via selectively elevating intracellular calcium level
Authors: Fan Xing-Xing , Yao Xiao-Jun , Xu Su Wei , Wong Vincent Kam-Wai , He Jian-Xing , Ding Jian , Xue Wei-Wei , Mujtaba Tahira , Michelangeli Francesco , Huang Min , Huang Jun , Xiao Da-Kai , Jiang Ze-Bo , Zhou Yan-Ling , Kam Richard Kin-Ting , Liu Liang , Leung Elaine Lai-Han
Published: November 2015

Calcium is a second messenger which is required for regulation of many cellular processes. However, excessive elevation or prolonged activation of calcium signaling would lead to cell death. As such, selectively regulating calcium signaling could be an alternative approach for anti-cancer therapy. Recently, we have identified an effective analogue of resveratrol, (Z)3,4,5,4′-trans-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS) which selectively elevated the intracellular calcium level in gefitinib-resistant (G-R) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. TMS exhibited significant inhibitory effect on G-R NSCLC cells, but not other NSCLC cells and normal lung epithelial cells. The phosphorylation and activation of EGFR were inhibited by TMS in G-R cells. TMS induced caspase-independent apoptosis and autophagy by directly binding to SERCA and causing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and AMPK activation. Proteomics analysis also further confirmed that mTOR pathway, which is the downstream of AMPK, was significantly suppressed by TMS. JNK, the cross-linker of ER stress and mTOR pathway was significantly activated by TMS. In addition, the inhibition of JNK activation can partially block the effect of TMS. Taken together, TMS showed promising anti-cancer activity by mediating calcium signaling pathway and inducing apoptosis as well as autophagy in G-R NSCLC cells, providing strategy in designing multi-targeting drug for treating G-R patients.
Effect of Regular Exercise on Inflammation Induced by Drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 3089 in ICR mice
Authors: Lee Jong-Kook , Luchian Tudor , Park Yoonkyung
Published: November 2015

Obesity is often associated with irregular dietary habits and reduced physical activity. Regular exercise induces a metabolic response that includes increased expression of various cytokines, signaling proteins and hormones and reduced adipocyte size. In this study, mice performed a swimming exercise for 10 min/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks. We then investigated the effect of this exercise regimen on inflammation induced by infection with drug-resistantStaphylococcus aureusstrain 3089 (DRSA). In humans, DRSA causes dermatitis and pneumonitis. Similarly, DRSA induced inflammatory pneumonitis in both no-exercise (No-EX) and swim-trained (SW-EX) ICR mice. Regular exercise increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β and nitric oxide in both serum and whole lung tissue in SW-EX, as compared to No-EX control mice. Moreover, levels of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin were significantly increased in visceral adipose tissue and whole lung tissue in the SW-EX group and this was accompanied by a reduction in the size of visceral adipocytes. In addition, levels of the inflammation marker peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 (PGC-1) were not increased in the lung tissue of SW-EX mice. These findings suggest that in these model mice, regular exercise strengthens immune system responses, potentially preventing or mitigating infectious disease.
Two-State or Non-Two-State? An Excess Spectroscopy-based Approach to Differentiate the Existing Forms of Molecules in Liquids Mixtures
Authors: Zhou Yu , Zheng Yan-Zhen , Sun Hai-Yuan , Deng Geng , Yu Zhi-Wu
Published: November 2015

Characterization/identification of the clusters/associates in liquids has long been a challenging topic. In this paper, we report a method to identify molecules with two different existing forms in a binary liquid solution. In this so-called two-state situation, the excess infrared spectra of a vibration mode of the respective molecule will show identical band shape if the other component is transparent in the region. More conveniently, the positions of the positive peak, negative peak and zero-value will be seen to be fixed with varying compositions of the binary system. In the case of non-two-state mixtures, for example the mere solvation of solute by solvent, those positions will be variable. The conclusions are supported/demonstrated by computational simulation and experiments on two binary systems, D2O−H2O and C6F5I−cyclo-C6H12.
Analysis of cobalt phosphide (CoP) nanorods designed for non-enzyme glucose detection
Authors: Sun Qiang-Qiang , Wang Min , Bao Shu-Juan , Wang Yu Chen , Gu Shuang
Published: November 2015

A possible electrocatalytic process for CoP in the detection of glucose was proposed.
Ionic electroactive polymer actuators as active microfluidic mixers
Authors: Meis Catherine , Montazami Reza , Hashemi Nastaran
Published: November 2015

On-chip sample processing is integral to the continued development of lab-on-a-chip devices for various applications. We have demonstrated an active microfluidic mixer using ionic electroactive polymer actuators as artificial cilia.
A fluorescent probe for the discrimination between Cys and GSH
Authors: Song Lun , Sun Qian , Wang Nan , Chen Zhaoyang , Zhang Weibing , Qian Junhong
Published: November 2015

A turn-on fluorescent probe was designed and synthesized for discriminating between Cys and GSH from different spectral channels. The probe has potential in fluorescence imaging of cellular Cys.
Optimization of enzyme immobilization on magnetic microparticles using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) as a crosslinking agent
Authors: Kazenwadel F. , Wagner H. , Rapp B. E. , Franzreb M.
Published: November 2015

Enzyme immobilization is a versatile tool in biotransformation processes to enhance enzyme activity and to secure an easy separation of catalysts and products and the reusability of enzymes.
Dual responsive polymeric nanoparticles prepared by direct functionalization of polylactic acid-based polymers via graft-from ring opening metathesis polymerization
Authors: Veccharelli Kate M. , Tong Venus K. , Young Jennifer L. , Yang Jerry , Gianneschi Nathan C.
Published: November 2015

Graft-from polymerization enables generation of PLA-based materials with a high degree of incorporation of functional groups.
Transient electrochemistry: beyond simply temporal resolution
Authors: Zhou X.-S. , Mao B.-W. , Amatore C. , Compton R. G. , Marignier J.-L. , Mostafavi M. , Nierengarten J.-F. , Maisonhaute E.
Published: November 2015

Transient electrochemistry is a powerful method to solve many physicochemical issues.
Rational design of SnO2@C nanocomposites for lithium ion batteries by utilizing adsorption properties of MOFs
Authors: Wang Meihui , Yang Hao , Zhou Xianlong , Shi Wei , Zhou Zhen , Cheng Peng
Published: November 2015

Utilizing the adsorption properties of metal–organic-frameworks to prepare a well-dispersed nano-SnO2@porous-carbon LIB anode material with superior capacity and cycle stability.
Triplet energy management between two signaling units through cooperative rigid scaffolds
Authors: Miro Paula , Vayá Ignacio , Sastre Germán , Jiménez M. Consuelo , Marin M. Luisa , Miranda Miguel A.
Published: November 2015

Through-bond triplet exciplex formation in donor–acceptor systems linked through a rigid scaffold has been demonstrated on the basis of kinetic evidence upon population of the triplet acceptors.
The synthesis of sterically hindered amines by a direct reductive amination of ketones
Authors: Yagafarov Niyaz Z. , Kolesnikov Pavel N. , Usanov Dmitry L. , Novikov Valentin V. , Nelyubina Yulia V. , Chusov Denis
Published: November 2015

An atom-economical methodology for the synthesis of sterically hindered tertiary amines was developed, which is based on a complementary Rh- and Ru-catalyzed direct reductive amination of ketones with primary and secondary amines using carbon monoxide as a deoxygenating agent.
Chiral N-heterocyclic carbene/Lewis acid cooperative catalysis of the reaction of 2-aroylvinylcinnamaldehydes: a switch of the reaction pathway by Lewis acid activation
Authors: Wang Zhan-Yong , Ding Ya-Li , Wang Gang , Cheng Ying
Published: November 2015

Chiral N-heterocyclic carbene/Lewis acid co-catalyzed reaction of 2-aroylvinylcinnamaldehydes produced good yields of indeno[1,2-c]furan-1-ones with excellent enantioselectivity. A switch of intramolecular to intermolecular reaction was achieved by the cooperative catalysis of NHC/Ti(OPr-i)4 catalysts.
Preparation and structure of NHC Hg(ii) and Ag(i) macrometallocycles
Authors: Liu Qing-Xiang , Liu Rui , Ding Yue , Zhao Xiao-Jun , Zhao Zhi-Xiang , Zhang Wei
Published: November 2015

A series of bis-azolium salts and their seven NHC metal (Hg(ii) and Ag(i)) complexes have been prepared and characterized.
Photophysics of Auramine-O: electronic structure calculations and nonadiabatic dynamics simulations
Authors: Xie Bin-Bin , Xia Shu-Hua , Chang Xue-Ping , Cui Ganglong
Published: November 2015

Sequential vs. concerted S1 relaxation pathways.
Hierarchical 3D ZnIn2S4/graphene nano-heterostructures: their in situ fabrication with dual functionality in solar hydrogen production and as anodes for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Kale Sayali B. , Kalubarme Ramchandra S. , Mahadadalkar Manjiri A. , Jadhav Harsharaj S. , Bhirud Ashwini P. , Ambekar Jalinder D. , Park Chan-Jin , Kale Bharat B.
Published: November 2015

In-situ hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical 3D ZnIn2S4/graphene (ZnIn2S4/Gr) nano-heterostructures for energy generation & storage (LIB).
Photoacids as a new fluorescence tool for tracking structural transitions of proteins: following the concentration-induced transition of bovine serum albumin
Authors: Amdursky Nadav
Published: November 2015

The concentration-induced structural transition of BSA at low pH was studied with photoacids. A special focus is also given to the discussion about the validity of other techniques to observe this transition.
The role of copper in the thermal conductivity of thermoelectric oxychalcogenides: do lone pairs matter?
Authors: Vaqueiro P. , Al Orabi R. A. R. , Luu S. D. N. , Guélou G. , Powell A. V. , Smith R. I. , Song J.-P. , Wee D. , Fornari M.
Published: November 2015

Low thermal conductivity in BiCuSeO and BiCuTeO is a consequence of weak bonding of the copper atoms.
Computational prediction of the electronic structure and optical properties of graphene-like β-CuN3
Authors: Zhang Xu , Zhao Xudong , Jing Yu , Wu Dihua , Zhou Zhen
Published: November 2015

Graphene-like β-CuN3 was investigated by first-principles computations, and its electronic structure and optical properties were disclosed in detail.
Chirality at metal and helical ligand folding in optical isomers of chiral bis(naphthaldiminato)nickel(ii) complexes
Authors: Enamullah Mohammed , Quddus Mohammad Abdul , Hasan Mohammad Rezabul , Pescitelli Gennaro , Berardozzi Roberto , Makhloufi Gamall , Vasylyeva Vera , Janiak Christoph
Published: November 2015

Ni-Schiff base complexes combine ligand chirality, chirality at metal, and helical ligand folding in a concerted way.
The application of graphene and its composites in oxygen reduction electrocatalysis: a perspective and review of recent progress
Authors: Higgins Drew , Zamani Pouyan , Yu Aiping , Chen Zhongwei
Published: November 2015

This paper provides a critical review and perspective on progress realized recently towards the development of graphene-based oxygen reduction catalysts.
Oceanic source strength of carbon monoxide on the basis of basin-wide observations in the Atlantic
Authors: Park Keyhong , Rhee Tae Siek
Published: November 2015

Carbon monoxide measurements over the Atlantic Ocean revealed that its global oceanic emission is ∼4 times lower than the IPCC reports.
Chemoselective oxidant-free dehydrogenation of alcohols in lignin using Cp*Ir catalysts
Authors: Zhu Rui , Wang Bing , Cui Minshu , Deng Jin , Li Xinglong , Ma Yingbo , Fu Yao
Published: November 2015

Hydrogen gas was captured from native lignin using the catalyst Cp*Ir and the dehydrogenative lignin could be further degraded with the help of Zn & NH4Cl through a two-step one pot process.
Differentiation capacity and maintenance of differentiated phenotypes of human mesenchymal stromal cells cultured on two distinct types of 3D polymeric scaffolds
Authors: Leferink A. M. , Santos D. , Karperien M. , Truckenmüller R. K. , van Blitterswijk C. A. , Moroni L.
Published: November 2015

This study shows that the classical validation of hMSC differentiation potential on 3D scaffolds might not be sufficient to ensure the maintenance of the cells functionality in the absence of differentiation inducing soluble factors.
Controllable generation and encapsulation of alginate fibers using droplet-based microfluidics
Authors: Martino Chiara , Statzer Cyril , Vigolo Daniele , deMello Andrew J.
Published: November 2015

Herein we demonstrate the segmentation of alginate solution streams to generate alginate fibers of precisely controllable lengths between 200 and 1000 μm.
Identification of key active constituents of Buchang Naoxintong capsules with therapeutic effects against ischemic stroke by using an integrative pharmacology-based approach
Authors: Haiyu Xu , Yang Shi , Yanqiong Zhang , Qiang Jia , Defeng Li , Yi Zhang , Feng Liu , Hongjun Yang
Published: November 2015

Integrative pharmacology has been used to identify the key active constituents (KACs) of Buchang Naoxintong capsules (BNCs), a traditional Chinese medical preparation.
Reconstruction and analysis of a genome-scale metabolic model for Eriocheir sinensis eyestalks
Authors: Wang Bin , Ning Qianji , Hao Tong , Yu Ailing , Sun Jinsheng
Published: November 2015

We reconstructed a metabolic network model for E. sinensis eyestalks based on transcriptome sequencing which contains 1304 reactions, 1381 unigenes and 1243 metabolites distributing in 98 pathways.
Downsizing the K-CHA zeolite by a postmilling-recrystallization method for enhanced base-catalytic performance
Authors: Anand Chokkalingam , Kaneda Takeshi , Inagaki Satoshi , Okamura Sae , Sakurai Hiroki , Sodeyama Kyosuke , Matsumoto Taiji , Kubota Yoshihiro , Okubo Tatsuya , Wakihara Toru
Published: November 2015

K-CHA nanocrystals prepared by a beadmilling and postmilling-recrystallization for high performance base-catalysis.
Modification of condensed tannins: from polyphenol chemistry to materials engineering
Authors: García Danny E. , Glasser Wolfgang G. , Pizzi Antonio , Paczkowski Sebastian P. , Laborie Marie-Pierre
Published: November 2015

Condensed tannins (CTs) are high molar mass polyphenolic bio-polymers based on flavonol units.
Gel properties of T-shaped tetrathiafulvalene–pyridazine conjugates and F4TCNQ-induced morphological transformation
Authors: Liu Yucun , Dai Yanfeng , Yin Bingzhu
Published: November 2015

T-shaped organic π-conjugates and their F4TCNQ charge-transfer (CT) complexes are developed as LMOGs. The morphological changes of the organogels occur obviously due to the CT interaction.
Syntheses and applications of periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles
Authors: Croissant Jonas G. , Cattoën Xavier , Wong Chi Man Michel , Durand Jean-Olivier , Khashab Niveen M.
Published: November 2015

Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica (PMO) nanomaterials are envisioned to be one of the most prolific subjects of research in the next decade.
Efficient, versatile and practical palladium-catalyzed highly regioselective ortho-halogenation of azoxybenzenes
Authors: Sun Meng , Chen Xiangxiang , Zhang Liang , Sun Wei , Wang Zhe , Guo Peiyu , Li Ya-Min , Yang Xiao-Juan
Published: November 2015

A highly efficient and practical strategy of regio-selectiveortho-halogenation of azoxybenzenes with NXS in the presence of palladium catalysts has been developed in good to excellent yields.
Dithiocarbamate RAFT agents with broad applicability – the 3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-1-carbodithioates
Authors: Gardiner James , Martinez-Botella Ivan , Tsanaktsidis John , Moad Graeme
Published: November 2015

The RAFT agents offerĐ< 1.1 for MAMs, methyl acrylate (MA),N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and styrene, andĐ< 1.3 for LAMs, vinyl acetate (VAc); versatility and end-group fidelity was proved with synthesis both polyDMA-block-polyMA and polyDMA-block-polyVAc.
Organopolymerization of naturally occurring Tulipalin B: a hydroxyl-functionalized methylene butyrolactone
Authors: Tang Jing , Chen Eugene Y.-X.
Published: November 2015

Naturally occurring, OH-containing, tri-functional Tulipalin B has been successfully polymerized by N-heterocyclic carbene and phosphazene superbase catalysts into polymers with Mn up to 13.2 kg mol−1.
A new coumarin based chromo-fluorogenic probe for selective recognition of cyanide ions in an aqueous medium
Authors: Sun Xueyi , Wang Yu , Zhang Xiaofeng , Zhang Shihong , Zhang Zhao
Published: November 2015

The optical behavior of a simple intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) fluorescent probe, a coumarin-nitrobenzene conjugate (CNB), has been described to detect cyanide (CN−) selectively in buffered aqueous media.
Modification of peptide functionality during enzymatic hydrolysis of whey proteins
Authors: Mohan Aishwarya , Udechukwu M. Chinonye , Rajendran Subin R. C. K. , Udenigwe Chibuike C.
Published: November 2015

Enzymatic hydrolysis of whey proteins increased the reducing capacity and decreased reactive sulfhydryl (SH) content of the peptides. Hydrolysis yielded Maillard reaction products and the carbonyl compounds depleted SH by nucleophilic reaction.
Liquid crystal droplets functionalized with charged surfactant and polyelectrolyte for non-specific protein detection
Authors: Yang Lei , Khan Mashooq , Park Soo-Young
Published: November 2015

5CBsurfactant droplets were coated with polyelectrolytes for utilization of non-specific protein detection.
Gold-catalyzed diastereoselective synthesis of 2,6-trans-disubstituted tetrahydropyran derivatives: application for the synthesis of the C1–C13 fragment of bistramide A and B
Authors: Padhi Birakishore , Reddy D. Srinivas , Mohapatra Debendra K.
Published: November 2015

An efficient Au(iii)-catalyzed diastereoselective allylation leading to 2,6-trans-disubstituted tetrahydropyrans and application for the synthesis of the C1–C13 fragment of bistramide A and B is described.
Au/Pt co-loaded ultrathin TiO2nanosheets for photocatalyzed H2evolution by the synergistic effect of plasmonic enhancement and co-catalysis
Authors: Chen Changyu , Kuai Long , Chen Yanjun , Wang Qing , Kan Erjie , Geng Baoyou
Published: November 2015

The synergistic functions of plasmonic enhancement and co-catalysis by photo-depositing Au and Pt nanoparticles on a TiO2surface were investigated, in which Au stimulates the plasmonic effect and Pt acts as the co-catalyst.
Fabrication of coral like carbon black/MnO2nano composites from commercial carbon black and their application in supercapacitors
Authors: An Junwei , Peng Xiaoqiang , Xu Shengming , Xu Zhenghe , Wang Jianlong
Published: November 2015

A carbon black/MnO2nano-composite (CB/MnO2) of coral-like architecture was synthesized from a commercially available conductive carbon black (CB) using anin situmethod.
Low-temperature synthesis of Cu2CoSnS4 nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of metal precursors and the study of its structural, optical and electrical properties for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Krishnaiah Mokurala , Bhargava Parag , Mallick Sudhanshu
Published: November 2015

Structural, opto-electrical properties of earth abundant quaternary chalcopyrite, Cu2CoSnS4 (CCTS) nanoparticles have been synthesized successfully by thermal decomposition process at a lower temperature with shorter processing time, are reported.
Solar photocatalytic ozonation of emerging contaminants detected in municipal wastewater treatment plant effluents by magnetic MWCNTs/TiO2 nanocomposites
Authors: Yu Lian , Wang Dongsheng , Ye Daiqi
Published: November 2015

Magnetically separable catalysts with high solar photocatalytic ozonation activity were successfully synthesized.
Effect of different donor groups in bis(6-methoxylpyridin-2-yl) substituted co-sensitizer on the performance of N719 sensitized solar cells
Authors: Wei Liguo , Yang Yulin , Zhu Zhaoyang , Fan Ruiqing , Wang Ping , Dong Yuwei , Chen Shuo
Published: November 2015

The donor group of co-sensitizers has an important effect on the performance of co-sensitized solar cells.
The effect of functionalized benzoxazine with allyl groups on the dielectric, mechanical and thermal properties of BMI/BADCy composites
Authors: Wang Yiqun , Kou Kaichang , Zhao Wei , Wu Guanglei , Han Fulong
Published: November 2015

The incorporation of functionalized benzoxazine with allyl groups intoBMI/BADCycomposites can induce an interpenetrating network (IPN) structure and the fracture surface will change from a riverlike shape to a ductile sunken shape.
Enhancement of the thermoelectric properties of MnSb2Se4through Cu resonant doping
Authors: Li Shanming , Zhao Huaizhou , Zhang Han , Ren Guangkun , Liu Ning , Li Dandan , Yang Chuansen , Jin Shifeng , Shang Dashan , Wang Wenhong , Lin Yuanhua , Gu Lin , Chen Xiaolong
Published: November 2015

We report the synthesis of Cu substituted Mn1−xCuxSb2Se4and its interesting resonant doping behavior, leading tozTof 0.64 at 773 K for the Mn0.75Cu0.25Sb2Se4. Cu-doped MnSb2Se4could be considered as a new platform for power generation.
Highly efficient and scalable chemoenzymatic syntheses of (R)- and (S)-lactaldehydes
Authors: Vogel M. A. K. , Burger H. , Schläger N. , Meier R. , Schönenberger B. , Bisschops T. , Wohlgemuth R.
Published: November 2015

Biocatalytic asymmetric reductions have been key steps in the synthesis of 1,1-dimethoxy-2-propanone, catalyzed by suitable ketoreductases to (S)- and (R)-1,1-dimethoxy-2-propanol, obtained in ≥99.9% ee and excellent yield. Removal of the protecting group gave the (S)- and (R)-lactaldehydes in excellent yield and purity.
Glucose-derived nitrogen-doped hierarchical hollow nest-like carbon nanostructures from a novel template-free method as an outstanding electrode material for supercapacitors
Authors: Liang Ji-Yuan , Wang Chun-Chieh , Lu Shih-Yuan
Published: November 2015

Nitrogen-doped hierarchical hollow nest-like carbon nanostructures, fabricated from glucose with a novel template-free method, exhibited outstanding supercapacitive performances.
Atomically precise growth of sodium titanates as anode materials for high-rate and ultralong cycle-life sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Jian , Banis Mohammad N. , Xiao Biwei , Sun Qian , Lushington Andrew , Li Ruying , Guo Jinghua , Sham Tsun-Kong , Sun Xueliang
Published: November 2015

An atomic layer deposition technique was applied to fabricate sodium titanates as high performance anode materials for sodium-ion batteries.
Effects of interfacial transition layers on the electrical properties of individual Fe30Co61Cu9/Cu multilayer nanowires
Authors: Ma Hongbin , Zhang Junwei , Zhang Hong , Lan Qianqian , Guan Chaoshuai , Zhang Qiang , Bai Feiming , Peng Yong , Zhang Xixiang
Published: November 2015

We accurately measure the electrical properties of individual Fe30Co61Cu9/Cu multilayered nanowires using nanomanipulators in in situ SEM to reveal that interfacial transition layers are influential in determining their transport behaviors.
Manifestation of high-temperature ferromagnetism in fluorinated graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets
Authors: Gao Daqiang , Liu Yonggang , Song Minyue , Shi Shoupeng , Si Mingsu , Xue Desheng
Published: November 2015

We demonstrate a novel two-dimensional material, fluorinated graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets, with intrinsic ferromagnetism; its Curie temperature can reach as high as 700 K.
Colloidal synthesis of Cu2−xAgxCdSnSe4 nanocrystals: microstructures facilitate high performance thermoelectricity
Authors: Chen Qiufan , Wang Guiwen , Zhang Aijuan , Yang Dingfeng , Yao Wei , Peng Kunling , Yan Yanci , Sun Xiaonan , Liu Anping , Wang Guoyu , Zhou Xiaoyuan
Published: November 2015

We have demonstrated Cu2−xAgxCdSnSe4 nanocrystals can result in decreases in the lattice thermal conductivity while increasing the Seebeck coefficient. A ZT up to 0.8 was obtained when x is 0.3.
Modelling maternal obesity: the effects of a chronic high-fat, high-cholesterol diet on uterine expression of contractile-associated proteins and ex vivo contractile activity during labour in the rat
Authors: Muir Ronan , Ballan Jean , Clifford Bethan , McMullen Sarah , Khan Raheela , Shmygol Anatoly , Quenby Siobhan , Elmes Matthew
Published: November 2015

Maternal obesity is associated with prolonged and dysfunctional labour and emergency caesarean section, but the mechanisms are unknown. The present study investigated the effects of an adiposity-inducing high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet on uterine contractile-associated protein (CAP) expression and ex vivo uterine contractility in term non-labouring (TNL) and term labouring (TL) rats. Female rats were fed either control chow (CON n=20) or HFHC (n=20) diet 6 weeks before conception and during pregnancy. On gestational day 21 (TNL) or day 22 (TL) CON and HFHC (n=10) rats were killed to determine plasma cholesterol, triacylglycerol and progesterone concentrations and collection of myometrium for contractility studies and expression of CAPs caveolin-1 (Cav-1), connexin-43 (CX-43) and it's phosphorylated form (pCX-43), oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). HFHC feeding increased visceral fat (P≤0.001), plasma cholesterol (P≤0.001) and triacylglycerol (P=0.039) concentrations. Stage of labour effected uterine expression of CAV-1 (P<0.02), pCX43 and COX-2 (both P<0.03). CAV-1 and pCX43 decreased but COX-2 increased with parturition. Significant diet- and labour-stage interactions were evident for CX-43 and pCX43 (P<0.03 and P<0.004 respectively). CX-43 decreased with TL in HFHC animals but was unaltered in CON. pCX-43 fell with labour in CON but remained high in HFHC. OXTR expression was significantly higher in HFHC compared with CON animals (P<0.03). Progesterone was higher in HFHC rats at term (P<0.014) but fell significantly with labour to similar concentrations as CON. Contractility studies identified synchronous contractions of stable amplitude in lean animals, but unstable asynchronous contractions with obesity. Uterine dose response to oxytocin was blunted during labour in HFHC rats with a log EC50 of −8.84 compared with −10.25 M in CON for integral activity (P<0.05). In conclusion, our adiposity model exhibits adverse effects on contractile activity during labour that can be investigated further to unravel the mechanisms causing uterine dystocia in obese women.
Planar out‐of‐phase Gysel power divider with high power splitting ratio
Authors: Chen Shiyong , Yu Yantao , Tang Mingchun
Published: November 2015

A planar out‐of‐phase Gysel power divider (PD) with high power splitting ratio based on shorted coupled lines is proposed. The design parameters of the proposed PD are analysed according to transmission line theory. For illustration, a 2 GHz experimental circuit with power dividing ratio of 10:1 is designed and fabricated. The measured results are shown in good agreements with the simulated ones.
Energy‐efficient successive‐approximation‐register based capacitive interface for pressure sensors
Authors: Ismail A. , El‐Nafarawi M.
Published: November 2015

A novel energy‐efficient 8 bit 2.78 kS/s capacitance‐to‐digital converter (CDC) interface for capacitive pressure sensors is presented. A new direct‐capacitance‐comparison technique (DCCT) is proposed and employed together with a successive approximation register (SAR) algorithm to resolve the sensor capacitance by, directly, comparing it with an on‐chip binary‐weighted capacitive digital‐to‐analogue converter (DAC) array. An offset DAC array compensates for the sensor rest and parasitic capacitances, accordingly, the interface gives a dynamically zoomed digital‐output code that corresponds only to the sensor capacitance change. The full‐scale input capacitance of the CDC is easily adjustable to interface to a wide range of sensors. The proposed 8 bit SAR‐based CDC is designed and simulated using 0.18 μm standard CMOS technology. The CDC exhibits a capacitance sensing range from 4 to 6 pF, provides a resolution and linearity of 7.26 and 8.2 bit, respectively. It achieves a figure‐of‐merit of 1.8 pJ/step at 1.4 V supply and 36 μs conversion time. Compared with the state‐of‐the‐art implementations with similar performance.
HD2 reduction technique for single‐ended amplifier
Authors: Sharma S. , Khandelwal S. , Ytterdal T. , Niknejad A.M.
Published: November 2015

A new technique for second harmonic distortion (HD2) reduction is presented. The proposed technique can be very useful for front‐end receiver applications where single‐ended high‐gain, low‐distortion amplifiers are required. The theoretical analysis and simulations of this scheme in which the second derivative of the current can be cancelled by using an extra transistor biased in the triode region in parallel to a MOSFET in saturation is presented. This technique is also robust to process variations as a result of the use of a tuning voltage in the proposed design. A 9 dB reduction in the magnitude of HD2 has been achieved with this technique compared with an amplifier of similar power consumption. This technique can be used in a design without significant impact on area, power or noise performance.
Wideband multilayer dual circularly‐polarised antenna for array application
Authors: Luo Q. , Gao S. , Zhang L.
Published: November 2015

A wideband multilayer antenna with dual circular polarisations (CPs) is presented. The antenna consists of stacked square patches fed by striplines and a branch line coupler. Two orthogonally positioned H‐shaped slots are used as the coupling aperture for the striplines. The dual‐CP radiation is obtained by exciting the TM01 and TM10 modes of the radiating element with 90° phase differences. The presented dual‐CP antenna has a multilayer configuration with a compact size and it is suitable to be applied to the design of array antennas. To verify this design concept, one prototype operating in the K‐band is designed and fabricated. The measurement results show that the prototype has more than 13% impedance bandwidth with good CP radiations.
Rain attenuation time series synthesizer based on inverse Gaussian distribution
Authors: Kourogiorgas C. , Panagopoulos A.D. , Livieratos S.N. , Chatzarakis G.E.
Published: November 2015

A new rain attenuation time series synthesizer for Earth–space links is presented based on the fundamental assumption that the long‐term distribution of the rain induced attenuation follows the inverse Gaussian (IG) distribution. Accurate time series synthesizers are very important for the system evaluation of satellite communication networks operating above 10 GHz. The proposed synthesizer is based on the first order stochastic differential equations and the hypothesis that IG describes the long‐term exceedance probability. The synthesizer is tested against experimental data and theoretical modelling of the exceedance probability of rain attenuation, showing that the synthesizer reproduces the first order statistics. It has also been tested on time diversity experimental data, with very encouraging results.
Pseudo‐random Gaussian distribution through optimised LFSR permutations
Authors: Condo C. , Gross W.J.
Published: November 2015

Efficient hardware solutions to generate Gaussian‐distributed random numbers are required in many applications. Linear feedback shift registers (LFSRs) are a low‐complexity implementation of an approximated uniform pseudo‐random distribution: multiple LFSRs can be used in combination to approximate a Gaussian distribution with a low complexity cost. The technique proposed in this work exploits the same principle but relies on a single LFSR and ad‐hoc permutations of its bits to obtain an accurate approximation of a Gaussian distribution with low maximum autocorrelation, leading to a very low complexity implementation of a Gaussian pseudo‐random number generator.
Self-consistent one dimension in space and three dimension in velocity kinetic trajectory simulation model of magnetized plasma-wall transition
Authors: Chalise Roshan , Khanal Raju
Published: November 2015

We have developed a self-consistent 1d3v (one dimension in space and three dimension in velocity) Kinetic Trajectory Simulation (KTS) model, which can be used for modeling various situations of interest and yields results of high accuracy. Exact ion trajectories are followed, to calculate along them the ion distribution function, assuming an arbitrary injection ion distribution. The electrons, on the other hand, are assumed to have a cut-off Maxwellian velocity distribution at injection and their density distribution is obtained analytically. Starting from an initial guess, the potential profile is iterated towards the final time-independent self-consistent state. We have used it to study plasma sheath region formed in presence of an oblique magnetic field. Our results agree well with previous works from other models, and hence, we expect our 1d3v KTS model to provide a basis for the studying of all types of magnetized plasmas, yielding more accurate results.
Three- and two-dimensional simulations of counter-propagating shear experiments at high energy densities at the National Ignition Facility
Authors: Wang Ping , Zhou Ye , MacLaren Stephan A. , Huntington Channing M. , Raman Kumar S. , Doss Forrest W. , Flippo Kirk A.
Published: November 2015

Three- and two-dimensional numerical studies have been carried out to simulate recent counter-propagating shear flow experiments on the National Ignition Facility. A multi-physics three-dimensional, time-dependent radiation hydrodynamics simulation code is used. Using a Reynolds Averaging Navier-Stokes model, we show that the evolution of the mixing layer width obtained from the simulations agrees well with that measured from the experiments. A sensitivity study is conducted to illustrate a 3D geometrical effect that could confuse the measurement at late times, if the energy drives from the two ends of the shock tube are asymmetric. Implications for future experiments are discussed.
On new stability modes of plane canonical shear flows using symmetry classification
Authors: Nold Andreas , Oberlack Martin , Cheviakov Alexei F.
Published: November 2015

In the work of Nold and Oberlack [Phys. Fluids 25, 104101 (2013)], it was shown that three different instability modes of the linear stability analysis perturbing a linear shear flow can be derived in the common framework of Lie symmetry methods. These modes include the normal-mode, the Kelvin mode, and a new mode not reported before. As this was limited to linear shear, we now present a full symmetry classification for the linearised Navier-Stokes equations which are employed to study the stability of an arbitrary plane shear flow. If viscous effects for the perturbations are neglected, then we obtain additional symmetries and new Ansatz functions for a linear, an algebraic, an exponential, and a logarithmic base shear flow. If viscous effects are included in the formulation, then the linear and a quotient-type base flow allow for additional symmetries. The symmetry invariant solutions derived from the new and classical generic symmetries for all different flow types naturally lead to algebraic growth and decay for all cases except for two linear base flow cases. In turn this leads to the formulation of a novel eigenvalue problem in the analysis of the transition to turbulence for the respective flows, all of which are very distinct from the classical Orr-Sommerfeld eigenvalue problems.
Properties of the zeros of generalized basic hypergeometric polynomials
Authors: Bihun Oksana , Calogero Francesco
Published: November 2015

We define the generalized basic hypergeometric polynomial of degree N in terms of the generalized basic hypergeometric function, by choosing one of its parameters to allow the termination of the series after a finite number of summands. In this paper, we obtain a set of nonlinear algebraic equations satisfied by the N zeros of the polynomial. Moreover, we obtain an N × N matrix M defined in terms of the zeros of the polynomial, which, in turn, depend on the parameters of the polynomial. The eigenvalues of this remarkable matrix M are given by neat expressions that depend only on some of the parameters of the polynomial; that is, the matrix M is isospectral. Moreover, in case the parameters that appear in the expressions for the eigenvalues of M are rational, the matrix M has rational eigenvalues, a Diophantine property.