bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly-Sensitive Refractive Index Sensing by Near-infrared Metatronic Nanocircuits
Authors: Rashed A. R. , Gudulluoglu B. , Yun H. W. , Habib M. , Boyaci I. H. , Hong S. H. , Ozbay E. , Caglayan H.
Published: July 2018

In this work, we present a highly-sensitive refractive index sensor based on metatronic nanocircuits operating at near-infrared spectral range. The structure is designed based on simple nanorod geometry and fabricated by nanopatterning of transparent conducting oxides. The functionality of these polarization dependent metatronic nanocircuits is enhanced by applying tunable response. This feature is investigated by depositing NH2 (Amine) groups via plasma polymerization technique on top of indium-tin-oxide nanorods. The dielectric constant of Amine groups is a function of their thickness, which can be controlled by the RF power and the time duration of the applied plasma polymerization process. The resonance wavelengths of nanocircuits shift to higher wavelength, as the dielectric constant of the deposited material increases. An excellent agreement between the design and experimental results are obtained. Our metatronic based nanosensor offers a high-sensitive performance of 1587 nm/RIU with a satisfactory figure of merit for this class of sensors.
Growth kinetics of endosymbiont Wolbachia in the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius
Authors: Fisher Michael L. , Watson David W. , Osborne Jason A. , Mochizuki Hiroyuki , Breen Matthew , Schal Coby
Published: July 2018

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius harbors the endosymbiotic microorganism, Wolbachia (wCle), in a gonad-associated bacteriome as an obligate nutritional mutualist. The obligatory nature of this association suggests that all individuals in C. lectularius populations would be infected with wCle. However, studies spanning the past several decades have reported variation in both infection frequency and relative abundance of wCle in field-collected samples of bed bugs. Since the growth kinetics of wCle is poorly understood, the objective of this study was to quantify wCle over the life cycle of two strains of C. lectularius. Our results highlight that wCle is dynamic during bed bug development, changing relative to life stage, intermolt stage, and blood-fed status. These results suggest new hypotheses about the coordination of Wolbachia growth and regression with its host’s physiology and endocrine events. The observed quantitative modulation of wCle during the bed bug life cycle and during periods of starvation may explain the disparities in wCle infections reported in field-collected C. lectularius.
A multi-scale flow model for production performance analysis in shale gas reservoirs with fractal geometry
Authors: Wang Lei , Dong Zhenzhen , Li Xiang , Xia Zunyi
Published: July 2018

Shale gas reservoirs can be divided into three regions, including hydraulic fracture regions, stimulating reservoir volume regions (SRV regions), and outer stimulating reservoir volume regions (OSRV regions). Due to the impact of hydraulic fracturing, induced fractures in SRV regions are often irregular. In addition, a precise description of secondary fractures in SRV regions is of critical importance for production analysis and prediction. In this work, the following work is achieved: (1) the complex fracture network in the SRV region is described with fractal theory; (2) a dual inter-porosity flow mechanism with sorption and diffusion behaviors is considered in both SRV and OSRV regions; and (3) both multi-rate and multi-pressure solutions are proposed for history matching based on fractal models and Duhamel convolution theory. Compared with previous numerical and analytic methods, the developed model can provide more accurate dynamic parameter estimates for production analysis in a computationally efficient manner. In this paper, type curves are also established to delineate flow characteristics of the system. It is found that the flow can be classified as six stages, including a bi-linear flow regime, a linear flow regime, a transition flow regime, an inter-porosity flow regime from the matrix to the fractures in the inner region, inter-porosity flow regime from matrix to fractures in the outer region, and a boundary dominant flow regime. The effects of the fracture and matrix properties, fractal parameters, inter-porosity flow coefficients, and sorption characteristics on type curves and production performance were studied in detail. Finally, production performance was analyzed for Marcellus and Fuling shale gas wells, in the U.S.A. and China, respectively.
Rice Defensin OsAFP1 is a New Drug Candidate against Human Pathogenic Fungi
Authors: Ochiai Akihito , Ogawa Kodai , Fukuda Minami , Ohori Masahiro , Kanaoka Takumi , Tanaka Takaaki , Taniguchi Masayuki , Sagehashi Yoshiyuki
Published: July 2018

Fungal infections, such as candidiasis and aspergillosis, are some of the most frequent infections in humans. Although antifungal drugs are available for the treatment of these infections, antifungal agents with new mechanisms of action should be developed because of the increasing incidence of drug-resistant pathogens in recent years. In this study, a basic functional analysis of rice defensin OsAFP1, a novel antifungal drug candidate, was conducted. OsAFP1 exerted fungicidal activity against Candida albicans, the most common pathogenic fungus in humans, at 4 μM concentration, but it did not inhibit the growth of human pathogenic bacteria. In addition, OsAFP1 retained structural stability after heat treatment at 100 °C for 10 min and after serum treatment at 37 °C for 24 h. A propidium iodide (PI) uptake assay and mutational analysis revealed that amino acid residues within the C-terminal γ-core motif of OsAFP1, particularly Leu-39 and Lys-41, play an important role in its antifungal activity. Further, PI uptake and apoptosis assays suggested that OsAFP1 exerts its antifungal activity by inducing apoptosis of target cells. Immunohistochemistry showed that the OsAFP1 target molecule was located in the cell wall. These findings indicate that OsAFP1 may be developed into a potent antifungal drug.
The role of sedimentation and natural compaction in a prograding delta: insights from the mega Mekong delta, Vietnam
Authors: Zoccarato Claudia , Minderhoud Philip S. J. , Teatini Pietro
Published: July 2018

The Vietnamese Mekong Delta was formed by rapid transgression during the second half of the Holocene by deposition of mainly unconsolidated, fine-grained (clayey) sediments undergoing high compaction rates. The natural subsidence can seriously impact the already vulnerable delta plain as its low elevation exposes the delta to global sea level rise, flooding, salinization. Human activities such as groundwater pumping, infrastructural loading, sand mining and dam construction have exacerbated the effects of natural consolidation. Here we present a novel modeling study that has allowed to reproduce the formation and evolution of the Mekong delta over the past 4000 years. Using an adaptive finite-element mesh, the model properly simulates accretion and natural consolidation characterizing the delta evolution. Large soil grain motion and the delayed dissipation of pore-water overpressure are accounted for. We find that natural compaction of Holocene deposits following delta evolution exceeds predicted values of absolute sea level rise. The unprecedented high rates (up to ~20 mm/yr) threaten the lower delta plain with permanent inundation and inevitably reduce the designed service life of flood defense structures along the coast. Total subsidence and sediment delivery to the delta plain will determine its future elevation and vulnerability to relative sea level rise.
Magnetic Drug Targeting: A Novel Treatment for Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors
Authors: Kheirkhah Pouyan , Denyer Steven , Bhimani Abhiraj D. , Arnone Gregory D. , Esfahani Darian R. , Aguilar Tania , Zakrzewski Jack , Venugopal Indu , Habib Nazia , Gallia Gary L. , Linninger Andreas , Charbel Fady T. , Mehta Ankit I.
Published: July 2018

Most applications of nanotechnology in cancer have focused on systemic delivery of cytotoxic drugs. Systemic delivery relies on accumulation of nanoparticles in a target tissue through enhanced permeability of leaky vasculature and retention effect of poor lymphatic drainage to increase the therapeutic index. Systemic delivery is limited, however, by toxicity and difficulty crossing natural obstructions, like the blood spine barrier. Magnetic drug targeting (MDT) is a new technique to reach tumors of the central nervous system. Here, we describe a novel therapeutic approach for high-grade intramedullary spinal cord tumors using magnetic nanoparticles (MNP). Using biocompatible compounds to form a superparamagnetic carrier and magnetism as a physical stimulus, MNP-conjugated with doxorubicin were successfully localized to a xenografted tumor in a rat model. This study demonstrates proof-of-concept that MDT may provide a novel technique for effective, concentrated delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to intramedullary spinal cord tumors without the toxicity of systemic administration.
Transcriptome profiling of whisker follicles in methamphetamine self-administered rats
Authors: Song Sang-Hoon , Jang Won-Jun , Hwang Jihye , Park Byoungduck , Jang Jung-Hee , Seo Young-Ho , Yang Chae Ha , Lee Sooyeun , Jeong Chul-Ho
Published: July 2018

Methamphetamine (MA) is a highly addictive psychostimulant that disturbs the central nervous system; therefore, diagnosis of MA addiction is important in clinical and forensic toxicology. In this study, a MA self-administration rat model was used to illustrate the gene expression profiling of the rewarding effect caused by MA. RNA-sequencing was performed to examine changes in gene expression in rat whisker follicles collected before self-administration, after MA self-administration, and after withdrawal sessions. We identified six distinct groups of genes, with statistically significant expression patterns. By constructing the functional association network of these genes and performing the subsequent topological analysis, we identified 43 genes, which have the potential to regulate MA reward and addiction. The gene pathways were then analysed using the Reactome and Knowledgebase for Addiction-Related Gene database, and it was found that genes and pathways associated with Alzheimer’s disease and the heparan sulfate biosynthesis were enriched in MA self-administration rats. The findings suggest that changes of the genes identified in rat whisker follicles may be useful indicators of the rewarding effect of MA. Further studies are needed to provide a comprehensive understanding of MA addiction.
Author Correction: Mapping road network communities for guiding disease surveillance and control strategies
Authors: Strano Emanuele , Viana Matheus P. , Sorichetta Alessandro , Tatem Andrew J.
Published: July 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Effects of human-driven water stress on river ecosystems: a meta-analysis
Authors: Sabater Sergi , Bregoli Francesco , Acuña Vicenç , Barceló Damià , Elosegi Arturo , Ginebreda Antoni , Marcé Rafael , Muñoz Isabel , Sabater-Liesa Laia , Ferreira Verónica
Published: July 2018

Human appropriation of water resources may induce water stress in freshwater ecosystems when ecosystem needs are not met. Intensive abstraction and regulation cause river ecosystems to shift towards non-natural flow regimes, which might have implications for their water quality, biological structure and functioning. We performed a meta-analysis of published studies to assess the potential effects of water stress on nutrients, microcontaminants, biological communities (bacteria, algae, invertebrates and fish), and ecosystem functions (organic matter breakdown, gross primary production and respiration). Despite the different nature of the flow regime changes, our meta-analysis showed significant effects of human-driven water stress, such as significant increases in algal biomass and metabolism and reduced invertebrate richness, abundance and density and organic matter decomposition. Water stress also significantly decreased phosphate concentration and increased the concentration of pharmaceutical compounds. The magnitude of significant effects was dependent on climate, rainfall regime, period of the year, river size and type of water stress. Among the different causes of water stress, flow regulation by dams produced the strongest effects, followed by water abstraction and channelization.
Dual Mechanism for the Emergence of Synchronization in Inhibitory Neural Networks
Authors: Chauhan Ashok S. , Taylor Joseph D. , Nogaret Alain
Published: July 2018

During cognitive tasks cortical microcircuits synchronize to bind stimuli into unified perception. The emergence of coherent rhythmic activity is thought to be inhibition-driven and stimulation-dependent. However, the exact mechanisms of synchronization remain unknown. Recent optogenetic experiments have identified two neuron sub-types as the likely inhibitory vectors of synchronization. Here, we show that local networks mimicking the soma-targeting properties observed in fast-spiking interneurons and the dendrite-projecting properties observed in somatostatin interneurons synchronize through different mechanisms which may provide adaptive advantages by combining flexibility and robustness. We probed the synchronization phase diagrams of small all-to-all inhibitory networks in-silico as a function of inhibition delay, neurotransmitter kinetics, timings and intensity of stimulation. Inhibition delay is found to induce coherent oscillations over a broader range of experimental conditions than high-frequency entrainment. Inhibition delay boosts network capacity (ln2)−N-fold by stabilizing locally coherent oscillations. This work may inform novel therapeutic strategies for moderating pathological cortical oscillations.
Improved phosphoproteomic analysis for phosphosignaling and active-kinome profiling in Matrigel-embedded spheroids and patient-derived organoids
Authors: Abe Yuichi , Tada Asa , Isoyama Junko , Nagayama Satoshi , Yao Ryoji , Adachi Jun , Tomonaga Takeshi
Published: July 2018

Many attempts have been made to reproduce the three-dimensional (3D) cancer behavior. For that purpose, Matrigel, an extracellular matrix from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cell, is widely used in 3D cancer models such as scaffold-based spheroids and patient-derived organoids. However, severe ion suppression caused by contaminants from Matrigel hampers large-scale phosphoproteomics. In the present study, we successfully performed global phosphoproteomics from Matrigel-embedded spheroids and organoids. Using acetone precipitations of tryptic peptides, we identified more than 20,000 class 1 phosphosites from HCT116 spheroids. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that phosphoproteomic status are significantly affected by the method used for the recovery from the Matrigel, i.e., Dispase or Cell Recovery Solution. Furthermore, we observed the activation of several phosphosignalings only in spheroids and not in adherent cells which are coincident with previous study using 3D culture. Finally, we demonstrated that our protocol enabled us to identify more than 20,000 and nearly 3,000 class 1 phosphosites from 1.4 mg and 150 μg of patient-derived organoid, respectively. Additionally, we were able to quantify phosphosites with high reproducibility (r = 0.93 to 0.95). Our phosphoproteomics protocol is useful for analyzing the phosphosignalings of 3D cancer behavior and would be applied for precision medicine with patient-derived organoids.
Texture Analysis as Imaging Biomarker for recurrence in advanced cervical cancer treated with CCRT
Authors: Meng Jie , Liu Shunli , Zhu Lijing , Zhu Li , Wang Huanhuan , Xie Li , Guan Yue , He Jian , Yang Xiaofeng , Zhou Zhengyang
Published: July 2018

This prospective study explored the application of texture features extracted from T2WI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps in predicting recurrence of advanced cervical cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). We included 34 patients with advanced cervical cancer who underwent pelvic MR imaging before, during and after CCRT. Radiomic feature extraction was performed by using software at T2WI and ADC maps. The performance of texture parameters in predicting recurrence was evaluated. After a median follow-up of 31 months, eleven patients (32.4%) had recurrence. At four weeks after CCRT initiated, the most textural parameters (four T2 textural parameters and two ADC textural parameters) showed significant difference between the recurrence and nonrecurrence group (P values range, 0.002~0.046). Among them, RunLengthNonuniformity (RLN) from T2 and energy from ADC maps were the best selected predictors and together yield an AUC of 0.885. The support vector machine (SVM) classifier using ADC textural parameters performed best in predicting recurrence, while combining T2 textural parameters may add little value in prognosis. T2 and ADC textural parameters have potential as non-invasive imaging biomarkers in early predicting recurrence in advanced cervical cancer treated with CCRT.
In situ phase contrast X-ray brain CT
Authors: Croton Linda C. P. , Morgan Kaye S. , Paganin David M. , Kerr Lauren T. , Wallace Megan J. , Crossley Kelly J. , Miller Suzanne L. , Yagi Naoto , Uesugi Kentaro , Hooper Stuart B. , Kitchen Marcus J.
Published: July 2018

Phase contrast X-ray imaging (PCXI) is an emerging imaging modality that has the potential to greatly improve radiography for medical imaging and materials analysis. PCXI makes it possible to visualise soft-tissue structures that are otherwise unresolved with conventional CT by rendering phase gradients in the X-ray wavefield visible. This can improve the contrast resolution of soft tissues structures, like the lungs and brain, by orders of magnitude. Phase retrieval suppresses noise, revealing weakly-attenuating soft tissue structures, however it does not remove the artefacts from the highly attenuating bone of the skull and from imperfections in the imaging system that can obscure those structures. The primary causes of these artefacts are investigated and a simple method to visualise the features they obstruct is proposed, which can easily be implemented for preclinical animal studies. We show that phase contrast X-ray CT (PCXI-CT) can resolve the soft tissues of the brain in situ without a need for contrast agents at a dose ~400 times lower than would be required by standard absorption contrast CT. We generalise a well-known phase retrieval algorithm for multiple-material samples specifically for CT, validate its use for brain CT, and demonstrate its high stability in the presence of noise.
Decreased signalling of EphA4 improves functional performance and motor neuron survival in the SOD1G93A ALS mouse model
Authors: Zhao J. , Cooper L. T. , Boyd A. W. , Bartlett P. F.
Published: July 2018

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an untreatable, progressive, neurodegenerative disease specifically affecting motor neurons. Recently, the tyrosine kinase receptor EphA4 was directly implicated in ALS disease progression. We report that a long-lived mutated form of the EphA4 antagonist EphA4-Fc (mutEphA4-Fc), which blocks EphA4 binding to its ligands and inhibits its function, significantly improved functional performance in SOD1G93AALS model mice, as assessed by rotarod and hind-limb grip strength tests. Further, heterozygous motor neuron-specificEphA4gene deletion in SOD1G93Amice promoted significant improvement in functional performance during the disease course and a delay in disease onset relative to control mice. Importantly, mice in the heterozygous deletion group showed significantly improved survival of motor neurons and architecture of endplates of neuromuscular junctions compared with control and homozygousEphA4-deletion groups. Our novel results show that EphA4 signalling directly regulates motor neuron survival and that mutEphA4-Fc is a promising therapeutic candidate to slow disease progression in ALS.
Friedel-Crafts Reaction of N,N-Dimethylaniline with Alkenes Catalyzed by Cyclic Diaminocarbene-Gold(I) Complex
Authors: Wu Hangzhi , Zhao Tianxiang , Hu Xingbang
Published: July 2018

In general, Friedel-Crafts reaction is incompatible with amines due to the Lewis acidity of the catalysts. Recently, we reported that cyclic diaminocarbene-Gold(I) can be used as catalyst for the Friedel-Crafts alkylation between aromatic amines and alkenes. Herein, a systematically theoretical research was performed on this rare Friedel-Crafts reaction. The adopted calculation method is accurate enough to reproduce the crystal structure of the catalyst. It was found that the reactions followed the electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism. The gold cation can activate the C=C double bond and generate the electrophilic group which can be attacked by the aromatic ring. The para-product is more energy favorable which agrees well with the experimental results. The reaction of α-methylstyrene follows the Markovnikov rule, and the activation energy to generate the branched product of methylstyrene is lower than that producing the linear product. However, the reaction of butanone follows the anti-Markovnikov rule, and the activation energy to generate the branched product of butanone is higher than that producing the linear product. These calculation results reveal the mechanism of this new Friedel-Crafts reaction. It can well explain the high para-selectivity and the substrate-dependent of the product structures in the experiment.
Explaining cancer type specific mutations with transcriptomic and epigenomic features in normal tissues
Authors: Tiong Khong-Loon , Yeang Chen-Hsiang
Published: July 2018

Most cancer driver genes are involved in generic cellular processes such as DNA repair, cell proliferation and cell adhesion, yet their mutations are often confined to specific cancer types. To resolve this paradox, we explained mutation frequencies of selected genes across tumor types with four features in the corresponding normal tissues from cancer-free subjects: mRNA expression and chromatin accessibility of mutated genes, mRNA expressions of their neighbors in curated pathways and the protein-protein interaction network. Encouragingly, these transcriptomic/epigenomic features in normal tissues were closely associated with mutational/functional characteristics in tumors. First, chromatin accessibility was a necessary but not sufficient condition for frequent mutations. Second, variations of mutation frequencies in selected genes across tissue types were significantly associated with all four features. Third, the genes possessing significant associations between mutation frequency variations and pathway gene expression were enriched with documented cancer genes. We further proposed a novel bivariate gene set enrichment analysis and confirmed that the pathway gene expression was the dominant factor in cancer gene enrichment. These findings shed lights on the functional roles of genes in normal tissues in shaping the mutational landscape during tumor genome evolution.
Age-related dataset on the mechanical properties and collagen fibril structure of tendons from a murine model
Authors: Goh Kheng Lim , Holmes David F. , Lu Yin Hui , Kadler Karl E. , Purslow Peter P.
Published: July 2018

Connective tissues such as tendon, ligament and skin are biological fibre composites comprising collagen fibrils reinforcing the weak proteoglycan-rich ground substance in extracellular matrix (ECM). One of the hallmarks of ageing of connective tissues is the progressive and irreversible change in the tissue mechanical properties; this is often attributed to the underlying changes to the collagen fibril structure. This dataset represents a comprehensive screen of the mechanical properties and collagen fibril structure of tendon from the tails of young to old (i.e. 1.6–35.3 month-old) C57BL6/B mice. The mechanical portion consists of the load-displacement data, as well as the derived tensile properties; the structure data consists of transmission electron micrographs of collagen fibril cross section, as well as the derived cross-sectional parameters. This dataset will allow other researchers to develop and demonstrate the utility of innovative multiscale models and approaches of the extra-cellular and physiological events of ageing of current interest to ageing research, by reducing the current reliance on conducting new mammalian experiments.
Boron nitride nanomaterials: biocompatibility and bio-applications
Authors: Merlo A. , Mokkapati V. R. S. S. , Pandit S. , Mijakovic I.
Published: July 2018

Boron nitride has structural characteristics similar to carbon 2D materials (graphene and its derivatives) and its layered structure has been exploited to form different nanostructures such as nanohorns, nanotubes, nanoparticles and nanosheets.
Reactivity of a trans-[H–MoMo–H] unit towards alkenes and alkynes: bimetallic migratory insertion, H-elimination and other reactions
Authors: Pérez-Jiménez Marina , Campos Jesús , López-Serrano Joaquín , Carmona Ernesto
Published: July 2018

A full house of elementary reactions across a quadruple MoMo bond.
Terbocenium: completing a heavy lanthanide metallocenium cation family with an alternative anion abstraction strategy
Authors: Goodwin Conrad A. P. , Reta Daniel , Ortu Fabrizio , Liu Jingjing , Chilton Nicholas F. , Mills David P.
Published: July 2018

A series of lanthanide metallocenium cations [Ln(Cpttt)2]+(Ln = Y, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu; Cpttt= C5H2tBu3-1,2,4) were recently prepared, but curiously the Tb analogue was elusive. Here we access [Tb(Cpttt)2]+viaan alternative strategy, completing the heavy [Ln(Cpttt)2]+family.
A water soluble donor–acceptor–donor conjugated oligomer as a photosensitizer for mitochondria-targeted photodynamic therapy
Authors: Sun Jian , Li Xiao , Du Ke , Feng Fude
Published: July 2018

A water soluble donor–acceptor–donor structure with mitochondria-targeting capability exhibits high singlet oxygen generation efficacy for efficient low-energy photodynamic therapy.
Matrix metalloproteinase targeted peptide vesicles for delivering anticancer drugs
Authors: Bhunia Debmalya , Pradhan Krishnangsu , Das Gaurav , Ghosh Subhajit , Mondal Prasenjit , Ghosh Surajit
Published: July 2018

A matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) targeted tetrapeptide vesicle strongly binds at a MMP9 enzymatic site and delivers an anticancer drug into cancer cells. Further, it induces superior apoptotic death and inhibits the metastatic cancer cell migration and growth of multicellular 3D spheroids.
Construction of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and highly luminescent Eu(iii)-MOF for the detection of inorganic ions and antibiotics in aqueous medium
Authors: Li Jing-Ming , Li Rui , Li Xia
Published: July 2018

A series of Ln(iii) complexes were synthesized. The highly luminescent chemically stable Eu-MOF shows multi-responsive luminescence sensing functions.
Morphology/phase controllable synthesis of monodisperse ScVO4 microcrystals and tunable multicolor luminescence properties in Sc(La)VO4(PO4):Bi3+,Ln3+ phosphors
Authors: Shen Dingyi , Zhang Yufeng , Zhang Xuemei , Wang Zhenling , Zhang Yanfei , Hu Shanshan , Yang Jun
Published: July 2018

A facile one-pot hydrothermal approach was employed to prepare novel chocolate-like ScVO4 microcrystals using polyethylene glycol as an additive.
Polymorphism and luminescence properties of heteropolynuclear metal–organic frameworks containing oxydiacetate as linker
Authors: Igoa Fernando , Martínez Sebastián , Zanoni Kassio P. S. , Castiglioni Jorge , Suescun Leopoldo , González-Platas Javier , de Camargo Andrea S. S. , Kremer Carlos , Torres Julia
Published: July 2018

A structural study concerning polymorphism control and the luminescence properties of lanthanide based MOFs.
Enhanced hydrogen production from thermochemical processes
Authors: Ji Guozhao , Yao Joseph G. , Clough Peter T. , da Costa João C. Diniz , Anthony Edward J. , Fennell Paul S. , Wang Wei , Zhao Ming
Published: July 2018

This paper reviews the advances of enhanced thermo-chemical processes applying H2-selective membrane reactors andin situCO2capture for selective H2production.
Biorefinery approach for lignocellulosic biomass valorisation with an acidic ionic liquid
Authors: da Costa Lopes André M. , Lins Roberto M. G. , Rebelo Ricardo A. , Łukasik Rafał M.
Published: July 2018

An acidic ionic liquid offers an exciting window to directly produce hemicellulose pentoses and to valorise cellulose and lignin.
2018 atomic spectrometry update – a review of advances in X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and its special applications
Authors: Vanhoof Christine , Bacon Jeffrey R. , Ellis Andrew T. , Vincze Laszlo , Wobrauschek Peter
Published: July 2018

This review covers developments in and applications of XRF techniques such as EDXRF, WDXRF, TXRF, XRF microscopy using technologies such as synchrotron sources, X-ray optics, X-ray tubes and detectors in laboratory, mobile and hand-held systems.
Engineering cell heterogeneity into organs-on-a-chip
Authors: Mertz David R. , Ahmed Tasdiq , Takayama Shuichi
Published: July 2018

To improve predictive efficacy of organ-on-a-chip devices, developers must consider cell heterogeneity.
A class of Pb-free double perovskite halide semiconductors with intrinsic ferromagnetism, large spin splitting and high Curie temperature
Authors: Cai Bo , Chen Xi , Xie Meiqiu , Zhang Shengli , Liu Xuhai , Yang Jinlong , Zhou Wenhan , Guo Shiying , Zeng Haibo
Published: July 2018

We introduce perovskite halides into spintronics, and these materials are ferromagnetic semiconductors with large spin splitting and high Curie temperatures.
CoCl2-promoted TEMPO oxidative homocoupling of indoles: access to tryptanthrin derivatives
Authors: Liao Huiwu , Peng Xiangjun , Hu Dan , Xu Xianyun , Huang Panpan , Liu Qian , Liu Liangxian
Published: July 2018

The first example of one-step synthesis of tryptanthrin derivatives using indoles as the only substratesviadirect C–H transformation.
New synthetic route to OH-functionalized nitrile N-oxide and polyfunctional nitrile N-oxides for click crosslinking and decrosslinking of natural rubber
Authors: Sogawa Hiromitsu , Monjiyama Syunsuke , Wang Chen-Gang , Tsutsuba Toyokazu , Takata Toshikazu
Published: July 2018

A new synthetic route for obtaining polyfunctional nitrile N-oxides from OH-tethering nitrile N-oxide is reported.
Electronic structure and luminescence assets in white-light emitting Ca2V2O7, Sr2V2O7 and Ba2V2O7 pyro-vanadates: X-ray absorption spectroscopy investigations
Authors: Sharma Aditya , Varshney Mayora , Chae Keun-Hwa , Won Sung Ok
Published: July 2018

Chemically synthesized pyro-vanadates exhibit sub-pentavalent V ions and white-light emission via charge transfer transitions of VO4 tetrahedra.
High-pressure synthesis and electrochemical properties of tetragonal LiMnO2
Authors: Uyama Takeshi , Mukai Kazuhiko , Yamada Ikuya
Published: July 2018

Tetragonal structured LiMnO2(t-LiMnO2) samples were synthesized under pressures above 8 GPa and investigated as a positive electrode material for lithium-ion batteries.
Characterization of NaxLi0.67+yNi0.33Mn0.67O2 as a positive electrode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Chiba K. , Shikano M. , Sakaebe H.
Published: July 2018

The relationship between the charge–discharge properties and crystal structure of NaxLi0.67+yNi0.33Mn0.67O2 (0.010 ≤ x ≤ 0.013, 0.16 ≤ y ≤ 0.20) has been investigated.
Recovery of rare earths from the green lamp phosphor LaPO4:Ce3+,Tb3+ (LAP) by dissolution in concentrated methanesulphonic acid
Authors: Gijsemans Lukas , Forte Federica , Onghena Bieke , Binnemans Koen
Published: July 2018

A process was developed for rare earths recovery from green lamp phosphor waste, making use of concentrated methanesulphonic acid.
Decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions for P(O)–C bond formation
Authors: Hosseinian Akram , Hosseini Nasab Fatemeh Alsadat , Ahmadi Sheida , Rahmani Zahra , Vessally Esmail
Published: July 2018

Phosphorus-containing compounds are one of the most important classes of organic compounds, which have wide applications in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, agricultural chemistry, and materials chemistry.
Fabrication and characterization of distinctive ZnO/ZnS core–shell structures on silicon substratesviaa hydrothermal method
Authors: Cheng Chin-Chi , Weng Wei Chih , Lin Hsueh I , Chiu Jo Lun , Jhao Hong-Yu , Liao Yu Ting Amber , Yu Chang Tze Ricky , Chen Hsiang
Published: July 2018

A distinctive novel ZnO/ZnS core–shell structure on silicon was reported in this study.
Robust microfluidic construction of hybrid microfibers based on konjac glucomannan and their drug release performance
Authors: Ni Yongsheng , Lin Wanmei , Mu Ruo-Jun , Wu Chunhua , Wang Lin , Wu Dan , Chen Su , Pang Jie
Published: July 2018

The exploration of methods to produce a novel wound dressing with sustained drug release properties in ultrasmall scales is of great scientific and technological interest.
Smart low molecular weight hydrogels with dynamic covalent skeletons
Authors: Sun Panpan , Ren Shujing , Liu Fenglin , Wu Aoli , Sun Na , Shi Lijuan , Zheng Liqiang
Published: July 2018

A dynamic covalent bond based bola-type supra-gelator was facilely constructed, which could assemble into supramolecular hydrogels with redox-responsive and self-healing capabilities.
Catalysts from earth abundant materials in a scalable, stand-alone photovoltaic-electrochemical module for solar water splitting
Authors: Welter K. , Hamzelui N. , Smirnov V. , Becker J.-P. , Jaegermann W. , Finger F.
Published: July 2018

Stable performance of a solar water splitting device with an area of 64 cm2 and catalysts from earth abundant materials.
Improved air-stability of an organic–inorganic perovskite with anhydrously transferred graphene
Authors: Shen Xinpeng , Wang Mengye , Zhou Feichi , Qiu Bocheng , Cai Lejuan , Liu Yanghui , Zheng Zijian , Chai Yang
Published: July 2018

The performance of organic–inorganic perovskite-based devices has rapidly increased in recent years, but the poor air-stability of perovskite materials limits their widespread applications.
Superb lifetime of blue organic light-emitting diodes through engineering interface carrier blocking layers and adjusting electron leakage and an unusual efficiency variation at low electric field
Authors: Kim Taekyung , Lee Kyung Hyung , Lee Jun Yeob
Published: July 2018

An extremely long lifetime blue organic light-emitting diode (OLED) was developed through managing the electron density and an S-shaped variation of efficiency in blue fluorescent organic light-emitting diodes (FOLEDs) using carrier blocking layers and systematically analyzed in conjunction with the efficiency–lifetime interrelationship.
Deep-blue emitting poly[spiro(dibenzoazasiline-10′,9-silafluorene)] for power-efficient PLEDs
Authors: Xu Xiushang , Li Xuefei , Wang Shumeng , Ding Junqiao , Wang Lixiang
Published: July 2018

A deep-blue emitting polymer PSDBASiF is developed for power-efficient PLEDs by replacing dibenzosilole with dibenzoazasiline to upshift its HOMO/LUMO levels.
Correction: An elastomer for epidermal electronics with adjustable adhesion force and stretchability obtained via a reverse-micelle-induced process
Authors: Kim Junhyung , Hwang Yujin , Jeong Sunho , Lee Su Yeon , Choi Youngmin , Jung Sungmook
Published: July 2018

Correction for ‘An elastomer for epidermal electronics with adjustable adhesion force and stretchability obtained via a reverse-micelle-induced process’ by Junhyung Kim et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2018, 6, 2210–2215.
Chitinase: diversity, limitations, and trends in engineering for suitable applications
Authors: Oyeleye Ayokunmi , Normi Yahaya M.
Published: July 2018

Chitinases catalyze the degradation of chitin, a ubiquitous polymer generated from the cell walls of fungi, shells of crustaceans, and cuticles of insects. They are gaining increasing attention in medicine, agriculture, food and drug industries, and environmental management. Their roles in the degradation of chitin for the production of industrially useful products and in the control of fungal pathogens and insect pests render them attractive for such purposes. However, chitinases have diverse sources, characteristics, and mechanisms of action that seem to restrain optimization procedures and render standardization techniques for enhanced practical applications complex. Hence, results of laboratory trials are not usually consistent with real-life applications. With the growing field of protein engineering, these complexities can be overcome by modifying or redesigning chitinases to enhance specific features required for specific applications. In this review, the variations in features and mechanisms of chitinases that limit their exploitation in biotechnological applications are compiled. Recent attempts to engineer chitinases for improved efficiency are also highlighted.
MiR-629-5p promotes colorectal cancer progression through targetting CXXC finger protein 4
Authors: Lu Jinlai , Lu Shuirong , Li Jingze , Yu Qi , Liu Lang , Li Qin
Published: July 2018

MiR-629-5p has been shown to function as a tumor promoter in some types of cancer. However, the role of miR-629-5p in colorectal cancer remains unclear. Here, the significant up-regulation of miR-629-5p in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines was observed. Overexpression of miR-629-5p showed a positive effect on cell proliferation and migration. The enhanced miR-629-5p level also suppressed cell apoptosis and resulted in a low Bax level and a high Bcl-2 level. Further down-regulating miR-629-5p demonstrated opposite effects. CXXC finger protein 4 (CXXC4) was predicted as a direct target of miR-629-5p. Dual-luciferase reporter and Western blotting assays exhibited miR-629-5p directly bound to the 3′UTR of CXXC4 and then down-regulated its expression at post-transcriptional level. CXXC4 knockdown rescued the decreased cell proliferation and migration and the enhanced cell apoptosis induced by inhibiting miR-629-5p expression. Notably, overexpression of miR-629-5p also conferred 5-fluorouracil sensitivity, which was partly abrogated by coexpression of CXXC4. Overall, the results presented here suggest that miR-629-5p functions as a tumor promoter by improving proliferation and migration and repressing apoptosis and 5-FU sensitivity in colorectal cancer progression by directly down-regulating CXXC4.
Near-infrared morphologies of the host galaxies of narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies
Authors: Järvelä E. , Lähteenmäki A. , Berton M.
Published: July 2018

We presentJ-band near-infrared (NIR) imaging of the host galaxies of nine narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1). Based on high-frequency radio observations at 37 GHz, seven of them could host powerful jets that are most likely relativistic. Host galaxy morphology studies of NLS1 galaxies are scarce, but exceedingly important for understanding the seemingly heterogeneous nature of the NLS1 population as well as their evolution and place in the active galactic nuclei (AGN) scheme. Increasing the sample size is essential for achieving statistically significant results. We determine the morphological types of the host galaxies by performing photometric decomposition of NIR images using a 2D image decomposition algorithm GALFIT. We were able to sufficiently model five of the nine host galaxies. Based on the fitting parameters, mainly the Sérsic index, all five are disk-like galaxies. Sources with clearly distinguishable bulge components all have pseudo-bulges, and four out of five sources show a component resembling a bar. A surprisingly large fraction, three out of five, show signs of interaction or disturbed morphology. Our results suggest that spiral galaxies with pseudo-bulges are able to launch and maintain powerful jets. They also imply that interaction – mainly minor mergers – may have a role in initially triggering higher levels of nuclear activity in NLS1 galaxies. Furthermore, our results support the heterogeneous nature of the NLS1 class and indicate that this diversity is caused by different evolutionary stages, possibly due to mergers.
The XXL Survey
Authors: Horellou C. , Intema H. T. , Smolčić V. , Nilsson A. , Karlsson F. , Krook C. , Tolliner L. , Adami C. , Benoist C. , Birkinshaw M. , Caretta C. , Chiappetti L. , Delhaize J. , Ferrari C. , Fotopoulou S. , Guglielmo V. , Kolokythas K. , Pacaud F. , Pierre M. , Poggianti B. M. , Ramos-Ceja M. E. , Raychaudhury S. , Röttgering H. J. A. , Vignali C.
Published: July 2018

Aims. We show how the XXL multiwavelength survey can be used to shed light on radio galaxies and their environment.

Methods. Two prominent radio galaxies were identified in a visual examination of the mosaic of XXL-North obtained with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope at 610 MHz. Counterparts were searched for in other bands. Spectroscopic redshifts from the GAMA database were used to identify clusters and/or groups of galaxies, estimate their masses with the caustic method, and quantify anisotropies in the surrounding galaxy distribution via a Fourier analysis.

Results. Both radio galaxies are of FR I type and are hosted by early-type galaxies at a redshift of 0.138. The first radio source, named the Exemplar, has a physical extent of ~400 kpc; it is located in the cluster XLSSC 112, which has a temperature of ~2 keV, a total mass of ~1014 M⊙, and resides in an XXL supercluster with eight known members. The second source, named the Double Irony, is a giant radio galaxy with a total length of about 1.1 Mpc. Its core coincides with a cataloged point-like X-ray source, but no extended X-ray emission from a surrounding galaxy cluster was detected. However, from the optical data we determined that the host is the brightest galaxy in a group that is younger, less virialized, and less massive than the Exemplar’s cluster. A friends-of-friends analysis showed that the Double Irony’s group is a member of the same supercluster as the Exemplar. There are indications that the jets and plumes of the Double Irony have been deflected by gas associated with the surrounding galaxy distribution. Another overdensity of galaxies (the tenth) containing a radio galaxy was found to be associated with the supercluster.

Conclusions. Radio Galaxies can be used to find galaxy clusters/groups that are below the current sensitivity of X-ray surveys.
Charge transient behaviour and spectroscopic ellipsometry characteristics of TiN/HfSiO MOS capacitors
Authors: Khan Zeeshan Najam , Shuja Ahmed , Ali Muhammad , Alam Shoaib
Published: July 2018

A combination of two powerful techniques, namely, charge deep level transient spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry is employed on atomic layer deposited Si-metal oxide semiconductor capacitors (MOSCAPs) to investigate the energy efficiency of the physical process. Ultra-thin TiN/HfSiO acted as gate-dielectric stack on Si substrate was carefully subjected to rapid thermal processing and subsequent spectroscopic measurements to determine the transient behaviour of charges and electro-optical characteristics. Some key parameters such as trap concentration, activation energy required to surmount the traps, capture cross section, refractive index and extinction coefficient are found to play an important role in order to assess the energy efficiency of the devices both in terms of post-process quality of the retained surface and residual efficiency of the process by virtue of dynamics at atomistic scales. The results may provide a useful insight to the Si manufacturing protocols at ever decreasing nodes with desirable energy efficiency.
Processing of convex complex surfaces with toroidal milling versus ball nose end mill
Authors: Oşan Andrei , Bănică Mihai , Năsui Vasile
Published: July 2018

The paper aims to analyse the processing of convex complex surfaces with toroidal milling cutters compared to spherical milling cutters. As comparison terms, surface roughness and processing time are taken into account. The main purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the usefulness of the toroidal milling tool that can be replaced in case of spherical milling cuts to improve the working time as well as the surface quality, these terms playing an important role in the processing of convex complex surfaces.
Proposing a method for estimating the real micro profile of a milling tool
Authors: Boca Mihai , Horodinca Mihaita , Andronic Marian-Octavian
Published: July 2018

Manufacturing Engineering domain generally uses for creating virtual work piece profiles or tool representations descriptive parameters or simplified drawings. More recent and accurate methods such as the present study uses optical devices for obtaining virtual projections of work pieces/tools. This paper presents an experimental method applied in order to obtain the profile for a given cutting tool, which can offer in addition possibility to estimate the cutting tool wear, without using such built-in machine-tool device. The experimental values obtained are materialized by the accuracy which characterizes the accurate profile of the measured cutting tool. This fact can make a difference between a classical measurement method applied outside of machine tool sector and a new one provided by a device which offers the solution to measure a work piece directly on the machine tool, without modifying the actual work piece orientation conditions and at a low price.
Influence of cutting parameters on surface quality when machining a CoCrWNi alloy
Authors: Dijmărescu Manuela-Roxana , Tarbă Ioan-Cristian , Dijmărescu Maria-Cristina , Gheorghiţă Vlad
Published: July 2018

Due to their excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties, the use of Co-Cr based alloys in medical applications has increased substantially. An important characteristic of the medical implants is their surface quality, this being a significant constraint when machining this kind of products. The aim of this paper is to present a research conducted in order to determine and expose the influence of turning cutting parameters on the surface roughness of a CoCrWNi alloy.
Analysis of relation between edging ratio and deformation work done in pre-forming of workpiece by bulk buckling
Authors: Kukhar Volodymyr , Balalayeva Elena , Prysiazhnyi Andrii , Vasylevskyi Oleg , Marchenko Iryna
Published: July 2018

The results of studies of energy-power indices (contact face pressure, work of deformation) during upsetting with buckling of relatively high workpieces with upsetting ratio 3.5 to 6.0 are summarized in the paper. The relation between work of deformation at the bulk buckling and edging ratio, and similar shape ratios was established. The results are shown that buckling pass is an energy-efficient way of workpieces shaping for bent forgings or dual-forming of some products and belong to the class of dieless (impression-free) bulk pre-forming process.
Some aspects of modelling and simulation of spot welding
Authors: Cohal Viorel
Published: July 2018

Mathematical modelling and finite element analysis of thermal processes, much more complex in welding different metals in terms of chemical composition and structure, have allowed investigation and deepening of heat transfer phenomena and the establishment of a new technological spot welding variant for these joints. The distribution of temperatures in welded joints is influenced by the linear energy of the thermal source, the thermal properties of the base material (heat specific heat conductivity, material density and thermal diffusivity) and heat losses to the environment. Thermal field viewing, longitudinal and transverse variations of temperature in heterogeneous welded joints, as well as temperature values recorded at different nodes (points) located in the welding area and adjacent areas, lead to conclusions that will result in specific spot welding technologies.