bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unimodal and cross-modal prediction is enhanced in musicians
Authors: Vassena Eliana , Kochman Katty , Latomme Julie , Verguts Tom
Published: May 2016

Musical training involves exposure to complex auditory and visual stimuli, memorization of elaborate sequences and extensive motor rehearsal. It has been hypothesized that such multifaceted training may be associated with differences in basic cognitive functions, such as prediction, potentially translating to a facilitation in expert musicians. Moreover, such differences might generalize to non-auditory stimuli. This study was designed to test both hypotheses. We implemented a cross-modal attentional cueing task with auditory and visual stimuli, where a target was preceded by compatible or incompatible cues in mainly compatible (80% compatible, predictable) or random blocks (50% compatible, unpredictable). This allowed for the testing of prediction skills in musicians and controls. Musicians showed increased sensitivity to the statistical structure of the block, expressed as advantage for compatible trials (disadvantage for incompatible trials), but only in the mainly compatible (predictable) blocks. Controls did not show this pattern. The effect held within modalities (auditory, visual), across modalities and when controlling for short-term memory capacity. These results reveal a striking enhancement in cross-modal prediction in musicians in a very basic cognitive task.
Sequencing proteins with transverse ionic transport in nanochannels
Authors: Boynton Paul , Di Ventra Massimiliano
Published: May 2016

De novo protein sequencing is essential for understanding cellular processes that govern the function of living organisms and all sequence modifications that occur after a protein has been constructed from its corresponding DNA code. By obtaining the order of the amino acids that compose a given protein one can then determine both its secondary and tertiary structures through structure prediction, which is used to create models for protein aggregation diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Here, we propose a new technique for de novo protein sequencing that involves translocating a polypeptide through a synthetic nanochannel and measuring the ionic current of each amino acid through an intersecting perpendicular nanochannel. We find that the distribution of ionic currents for each of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids encoded by eukaryotic genes is statistically distinct, showing this technique’s potential for de novo protein sequencing.
Elucidation of molecular and functional heterogeneity through differential expression network analyses of discrete tumor subsets
Authors: Naik Rutika R. , Gardi Nilesh L. , Bapat Sharmila A.
Published: May 2016

Intratumor heterogeneity presents a major hurdle in cancer therapy. Most current research studies consider tumors as single entities and overlook molecular diversity between heterogeneous state(s) of different cells assumed to be homogenous. The present approach was designed for fluorescence-activated cell sorting-based resolution of heterogeneity arising from cancer stem cell (CSC) hierarchies and genetic instability in ovarian tumors, followed by microarray-based expression profiling of sorted fractions. Through weighted gene correlation network analyses, we could assign enriched modules of co-regulated genes to each fraction. Such gene modules often correlate with biological functions; one such specific association was the enrichment of CD53 expression in CSCs, functional validation indicated CD53 to be a tumor-initiating cell- rather than quiescent CSC-marker. Another association defined a state of poise for stress-induced metastases in aneuploid cells. Our results thus emphasize the need for studying cell-specific functionalities relevant to regeneration, drug resistance and disease progression in discrete tumor cell fractions.
Changes in variation at the MHC class II DQA locus during the final demise of the woolly mammoth
Authors: Pečnerová Patrícia , Díez-del-Molino David , Vartanyan Sergey , Dalén Love
Published: May 2016

According to the nearly-neutral theory of evolution, the relative strengths of selection and drift shift in favour of drift at small population sizes. Numerous studies have analysed the effect of bottlenecks and small population sizes on genetic diversity in the MHC, which plays a central role in pathogen recognition and immune defense and is thus considered a model example for the study of adaptive evolution. However, to understand changes in genetic diversity at loci under selection, it is necessary to compare the genetic diversity of a population before and after the bottleneck. In this study, we analyse three fragments of the MHC DQA gene in woolly mammoth samples radiocarbon dated to before and after a well-documented bottleneck that took place about ten thousand years ago. Our results indicate a decrease in observed heterozygosity and number of alleles, suggesting that genetic drift had an impact on the variation on MHC. Based on coalescent simulations, we found no evidence of balancing selection maintaining MHC diversity during the Holocene. However, strong trans-species polymorphism among mammoths and elephants points to historical effects of balancing selection on the woolly mammoth lineage.
Effects of neurostimulation for advanced Parkinson’s disease patients on motor symptoms: A multiple-treatments meta-analysas of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Xie Cheng-Long , Shao Bei , Chen Jie , Zhou Yi , Lin Shi-Yi , Wang Wen-Wen
Published: May 2016

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is the surgical procedure of choice for patients with advanced Parkinson disease (PD). We aim to evaluate the efficacy of GPi (globus pallidus internus), STN (subthalamic nucleus)-DBS and medical therapy for PD. We conducted a systematic review and multiple-treatments meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy of neurostimulation and medical therapy for PD patients. Sixteen eligible studies were included in this analysis. We pooled the whole data and found obvious difference between GPi-DBS versus medical therapy and STN-DBS versus medical therapy in terms of UPDRS scores (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale). Meanwhile, we found GPi-DBS had the similar efficacy on the UPDRS scores when compared with STN-DBS. What is more, quality of life, measured by PDQ-39 (Parkinson’s disease Questionnaire) showed greater improvement after GPi-DBS than STN-DBS. Five studies showed STN-DBS was more effective for reduction in medication than GPi-DBS. Overall, either GPi-DBS or STN-DBS was an effective technique to control PD patients’ symptoms and improved their functionality and quality of life. Meanwhile, the UPDRS scores measuring parkinsonian symptoms revealed no significant difference between GPi-DBS and STN-DBS. STN-DBS was more effective for reduction in medication than GPi-DBS. Alternatively, GPi-DBS was more effective for improving the PDQ-39 score than STN-DBS.
Syndecan-4 modulates the proliferation of neural cells and the formation of CaP axons during zebrafish embryonic neurogenesis
Authors: Luo Ning , Li Hongda , Xiang Bo , Qiao Liangjun , He Jiao , Ji Yi , Liu Yuan , Li Siying , Lu Ran , Li Yu , Meng Wentong , Wu Yang , Xu Hong , Mo Xianming
Published: May 2016

Syndecan-4 (Syn4), a single-pass transmembrane heparin sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG), plays significant role in the formation of focal adhesions and interacts with many growth factors to regulate cell migration and neural induction. Here, we show the new roles ofsyndecan-4(syn4) in zebrafish embryonic neurogenesis.Syn4is broadly and dynamically expressed throughout the early stages of embryonic development. Knockdown ofsyn4increases the expression of the marker genes of multiple types of neural cells. The increased expression of the marker genes is resulted from excessive proliferation of the neural cells. In addition, disruptingsyn4expression results in truncated and multiple aberrant branching of caudal primary (CaP) axons. Collectively, these data indicate that Syn4 suppresses the cellular proliferation during neurogenesis and is crucial for the formation of CaP axons during zebrafish embryogenesis.
Raffinose, a plant galactoside, inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation via binding to LecA and decreasing cellular cyclic diguanylate levels
Authors: Kim Han-Shin , Cha Eunji , Kim YunHye , Jeon Young Ho , Olson Betty H. , Byun Youngjoo , Park Hee-Deung
Published: May 2016

Biofilm formation on biotic or abiotic surfaces has unwanted consequences in medical, clinical and industrial settings. Treatments with antibiotics or biocides are often ineffective in eradicating biofilms. Promising alternatives to conventional agents are biofilm-inhibiting compounds regulating biofilm development without toxicity to growth. Here, we screened a biofilm inhibitor, raffinose, derived from ginger. Raffinose, a galactotrisaccharide, showed efficient biofilm inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa without impairing its growth. Raffinose also affected various phenotypes such as colony morphology, matrix formation and swarming motility. Binding of raffinose to a carbohydrate-binding protein called LecA was the cause of biofilm inhibition and altered phenotypes. Furthermore, raffinose reduced the concentration of the second messenger, cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP), by increased activity of a c-di-GMP specific phosphodiesterase. The ability of raffinose to inhibit P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and its molecular mechanism opens new possibilities for pharmacological and industrial applications.
Platelet lysate gel and endothelial progenitors stimulate microvascular network formation in vitro: tissue engineering implications
Authors: Fortunato Tiago M. , Beltrami Cristina , Emanueli Costanza , De Bank Paul A. , Pula Giordano
Published: May 2016

Revascularisation is a key step for tissue regeneration and complete organ engineering. We describe the generation of human platelet lysate gel (hPLG), an extracellular matrix preparation from human platelets able to support the proliferation of endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) in 2D cultures and the formation of a complete microvascular network in vitro in 3D cultures. Existing extracellular matrix preparations require addition of high concentrations of recombinant growth factors and allow only limited formation of capillary-like structures. Additional advantages of our approach over existing extracellular matrices are the absence of any animal product in the composition hPLG and the possibility of obtaining hPLG from patients to generate homologous scaffolds for re-implantation. This discovery has the potential to accelerate the development of regenerative medicine applications based on implantation of microvascular networks expanded ex vivo or the generation of fully vascularised organs.
Early life stress affects limited regional brain activity in depression
Authors: Du Lian , Wang Jingjie , Meng Ben , Yong Na , Yang Xiangying , Huang Qingling , Zhang Yan , Yang Lingling , Qu Yuan , Chen Zhu , Li Yongmei , Lv Fajin , Hu Hua
Published: May 2016

Early life stress (ELS) can alter brain function and increases the risk of major depressive disorder (MDD) in later life. This study investigated whether ELS contributes to differences in regional brain activity between MDD patients and healthy controls (HC), as measured by amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF)/fractional (f)ALFF. Eighteen first-episode, treatment-naïve MDD patients and HC were assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We compared ALFF/fALFF between MDD patients and HC, with or without controlling for ELS, and determined whether ELS level was correlated with regional brain activity in each group. After regressing out ELS, we found that ALFF increased in bilateral amygdala and left orbital/cerebellum, while fALFF decreased in left inferior temporal and right middle frontal gyri in MDD patients relative to controls. ELS positively correlated with regional activity in the left cerebellum in MDD and in the right post-central/inferior temporal/superior frontal cingulate, inferior frontal gyrus and bilateral cerebellum in HC. Our findings indicate that there is only very limited region showing correlation between ELS and brain activity in MDD, while diverse areas in HC, suggesting ELS has few impacts on MDD patients.
Induction of P-glycoprotein expression and activity by Aconitum alkaloids: Implication for clinical drug–drug interactions
Authors: Wu Jinjun , Lin Na , Li Fangyuan , Zhang Guiyu , He Shugui , Zhu Yuanfeng , Ou Rilan , Li Na , Liu Shuqiang , Feng Lizhi , Liu Liang , Liu Zhongqiu , Lu Linlin
Published: May 2016

The Aconitum species, which mainly contain bioactive Aconitum alkaloids, are frequently administered concomitantly with other herbal medicines or chemical drugs in clinics. The potential risk of drug–drug interactions (DDIs) arising from co-administration of Aconitum alkaloids and other drugs against specific targets such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) must be evaluated. This study focused on the effects of three representative Aconitum alkaloids: aconitine (AC), benzoylaconine (BAC), and aconine, on the expression and activity of P-gp. We observed that Aconitum alkaloids increased P-gp expression in LS174T and Caco-2 cells in the order AC > BAC > aconine. Nuclear receptors were involved in the induction of P-gp. AC and BAC increased the P-gp transport activity. Strikingly, intracellular ATP levels and mitochondrial mass also increased. Furthermore, exposure to AC decreased the toxicity of vincristine and doxorubicin towards the cells. In vivo, AC significantly up-regulated the P-gp protein levels in the jejunum, ileum, and colon of FVB mice, and protected them against acute AC toxicity. Taken together, the findings of our in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that AC can induce P-gp expression, and that co-administration of AC with P-gp substrate drugs may cause DDIs. Our findings have important implications for Aconitum therapy in clinics.
ahg12 is a dominant proteasome mutant that affects multiple regulatory systems for germination of Arabidopsis
Authors: Hayashi Shimpei , Hirayama Takashi
Published: May 2016

The ubiquitin-proteasome system is fundamentally involved in myriad biological phenomena of eukaryotes. In plants, this regulated protein degradation system has a pivotal role in the cellular response mechanisms for both internal and external stimuli, such as plant hormones and environmental stresses. Information about substrate selection by the ubiquitination machinery has accumulated, but there is very little information about selectivity for substrates at the proteasome. Here, we report characterization of a novel abscisic acid (ABA)-hypersensitive mutant named ABA hypersensitive germination12 (ahg12) in Arabidopsis. The ahg12 mutant showed a unique pleiotropic phenotype, including hypersensitivity to ABA and ethylene, and hyposensitivity to light. Map-based cloning identified the ahg12 mutation to cause an amino acid conversion in the L23 loop of RPT5a, which is predicted to form the pore structure of the 19S RP complex of the proteasome. Transient expression assays demonstrated that some plant-specific signaling components accumulated at higher levels in the ahg12 mutant. These results suggest that the ahg12 mutation led to changes in the substrate preference of the 26S proteasome. The discovery of the ahg12 mutation thus will contribute to elucidate the characteristics of the regulated protein degradation system.
Perfect Spin-filtering in graphene monolayer-bilayer superlattice with zigzag boundaries
Authors: Yu Hang , Liu Jun-Feng
Published: May 2016

We show that the spontaneous magnetization is formed at the zigzag boundary between monolayer and bilayer graphene by the self-consistent calculation based on Hubbard model. In a monolayer- bilayer graphene superlattice with zigzag boundaries, it is surprising that nearly 100% spin polarization is achieved in the energy window around the Dirac point, no matter the magnetization configuration at two boundaries is parallel or antiparallel. The reason is that the low-energy transport is only influenced by the magnetization at one edge, but not by that at the other. The underlying physics is unveiled by the spin-split band structure and the distribution of the wave-function pertaining to the lowest (highest) subband of electron (hole).
Antimycotic Activity and Genotoxic Evaluation of Citrus sinensis and Citrus latifolia Essential Oils
Authors: Ruiz-Pérez Nancy J. , González-Ávila Marisela , Sánchez-Navarrete Jaime , Toscano-Garibay Julia D. , Moreno-Eutimio Mario A. , Sandoval-Hernández Teresa , Arriaga-Alba Myriam
Published: May 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of essential oils (EOs) of Citrus sinensis (C. sinensis) and Citrus latifolia (C. latifolia) against five Candida species: Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida lusitaniae and Candida guilliermondii; and perform its genotoxic evaluation. The EOs of C. sinensis and C. latifolia were obtained from the peel by hydro-distillation. The major components determined by GC-MS were in C. sinensis, d-limonene (96%) and α-myrcene (2.79%); and in C. latifolia, d-limonene (51.64%), β-thujene (14.85%), β-pinene (12.79%) and γ-terpinene (12.8%). Antifungal properties were studied by agar diffusion method, where C. sinensis presented low activity and C. latifolia essential oil was effective to inhibit growing of C. lusitaniae and C. guilliermondii with IC50 of 6.90 and 2.92 μg respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for C. sinensis were in a range of 0.42–3.71 μg and for C. latifolia of 0.22–1.30 μg. Genotoxic evaluation was done by Ames test where none of the oils induced point mutations. Flow cytometry was used to measure toxicity in human oral epithelial cells, C. sinensis was not cytotoxic and C. latifolia was toxic at 21.8 μg. These properties might bestow different odontological applications to each essential oil.
A novel assay for screening inhibitors targeting HIV-1 integrase dimerization based on Ni-NTA magnetic agarose beads
Authors: Zhang Dawei , He Hongqiu , Liu Mengmeng , Meng Zhixia , Guo Shunxing
Published: May 2016

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 integrase (IN), which mediates integration of viral cDNA into the cellular chromosome, is a validated antiviral drug target. Three IN inhibitors, raltegravir, elvitegravir and dolutegravir, have been clinically approved since 2008. However, drug resistance have emerged in infected patients receiving treatment using these drugs which share the same mechanism of action and have a low genetic barrier for resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop drugs with novel mechanism. IN requires a precise and dynamic equilibrium between several oligomeric species for its activities. The modulation of the process which is termed as IN oligomerization, presents an interesting allosteric target for drug development. In this research, we developed a magnetic beads based approach to assay the IN dimerization. Then, using the assay we screened a library of 1000 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs for IN dimerization inhibitors and identified dexlansoprazole as a potential IN dimerization inhibitor. In conclusion, the assay presented here has been proven to be sensitive and specific for the detection of IN dimerization as well as for the identification of antiviral drugs targeting IN dimerization. Moreover, a FDA-approved proton-pump inhibitors, dexlansoprazole, was identified as a potential inhibitor for IN dimerization.
Design, Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Novel link-bridge and B-Ring Modified Combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) Analogues as Potent Antitubulin Agents
Authors: Duan Yong-Tao , Man Ruo-Jun , Tang Dan-Jie , Yao Yong-Fang , Tao Xiang-Xiang , Yu Chen , Liang Xin-Yi , Makawana Jigar A. , Zou Mei-Juan , Wang Zhong-Chang , Zhu Hai-Liang
Published: May 2016

A series of 12 novel acylhydrazone, chalcone and amide–bridged analogues of combretastatin A-4 were designed and synthesized toward tubulin. All these compounds were determined by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, and MS. Among them, compound 7 with acylhydrazone-bridge, bearing a benzyl at the indole-N position, was identified as a potent antiproliferative agent against a panel of cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.08 to 35.6 μM. In contrast, its cytotoxic effects on three normal human cells were minimal. Cellular studies have revealed that the induction of apoptosis by compound 7 was associated with a collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, accumulation of reactive oxygen species, alterations in the expression of some cell cycle-related proteins (Cyclin B1, Cdc25c, Cdc2, P21) and some apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, PARP, Bcl-2, Caspase3). The docking mode showed the binding posture of CA-4 and compound 7 are similar in the colchicine-binding pocket of tubulin, as confirmed by colchicine-tubulin competitive binding assay, tubulin polymerization inhibitory activity, extracellular protein expression determination assay and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. In vivo study, compound 7 effectively inhibited A549 xenograft tumor growth without causing significant loss of body weight suggesting that compound 7 is a promising new antimitotic agent with clinical potential.
Specific Cues Associated With Honey Bee Social Defence against Varroa destructor Infested Brood
Authors: Mondet Fanny , Kim Seo Hyun , de Miranda Joachim R. , Beslay Dominique , Le Conte Yves , Mercer Alison R.
Published: May 2016

Social immunity forms an essential part of the defence repertoire of social insects. In response to infestation by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor and its associated viruses, honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) have developed a specific behaviour (varroa-sensitive hygiene, or VSH) that helps protect the colony from this parasite. Brood cells heavily infested with mites are uncapped, the brood killed and the cell contents removed. For this extreme sacrifice to be beneficial to the colony, the targeting of parasitized brood for removal must be accurate and selective. Here we show that varroa-infested brood produce uniquely identifiable cues that could be used by VSH-performing bees to identify with high specificity which brood cells to sacrifice. This selective elimination of mite-infested brood is a disease resistance strategy analogous to programmed cell death, where young bees likely to be highly dysfunctional as adults are sacrificed for the greater good of the colony.
CSN6, a subunit of the COP9 signalosome, is involved in early response to iron deficiency in Oryza sativa
Authors: Tan Song , Liu Fang , Pan Xiao-Xi , Zang Yue-Peng , Jin Fei , Zu Wei-Xi , Qi Xiao-Ting , Xiao Wei , Yin Li-Ping
Published: May 2016

The COP9 signalosome (CSN) plays an important role in proteasome-mediated degradation by regulating CUL1 rubylation of the SCF ligase and is involved in many crucial biological processes. Here, we demonstrate a link between IDEF1 accumulation and the decline in COP9 derubylation activity in response to iron deficiency (-Fe) in rice (Oryza sativa). CSN6 expression is rapidly down-regulated during Fe depletion, contributing to reduced CSN activity, as judged by CSN5 and CUL1 expression, indicating CSN6 is involved in the early stage response of -Fe. In contrast to CSN6, the IDEF1 protein and expression of several iron uptake/utilisation-related genes are increased in response to -Fe. Thus, we constructed CSN6 transgenic sense and antisense lines and found that experimental depletion of CSN6 results in accumulation of the IDEF1 protein and up-regulation of several iron uptake/utilisation-related genes. Furthermore, IDEF1 can be decorated with K48-linked polyubiquitin and degraded via the 26S proteasome. Accumulated IDEF1 in antisense lines led to increased chlorophyll and Fe content in seedlings during -Fe. Collectively, the cellular CSN6 level is decreased during early stages of -Fe to ensure the rapid accumulation of IDEF1, which in turn up-regulates several iron uptake/utilisation-related genes to help overcome -Fe stress in rice.
A “turn-on” fluorescent probe for the detection of Cu2+ in living cells based on a signaling mechanism of NN isomerization
Authors: Cao Shuo , Jin Qiaoying , Geng Lin , Mu Lingyun , Dong Shouliang
Published: May 2016

A “turn-on” probe A based on coumarin with a mechanism of NN isomerization was developed for detecting Cu2+ in living cells.
A single-label fluorescent derivatization method for quantitative determination of neurotoxin in vivo by capillary electrophoresis coupled with laser-induced fluorescence detection
Authors: Chen Cuiwei , Hu Yiqin , Shi Xiaowei , Tao Chenghao , Zheng Hongyue , Fei Weidong , Han Shunping , Zhu Jiazhen , Wei Yinghui , Li Fanzhu
Published: May 2016

Neurotoxin (NT), a short-chain α-neurotoxin, is the main neurotoxic protein identified from the venom of Naja naja atra.
Endonuclease IV cleaves apurinic/apyrimidinic sites in single-stranded DNA and its application for biosensing
Authors: Kong Xiang-Juan , Wu Shuang , Cen Yao , Chen Ting-Ting , Yu Ru-Qin , Chu Xia
Published: May 2016

The cleaving capability of endonuclease IV to apurinic/apyrimidinic sites in single-stranded DNA has been demonstrated. It was further applied to construct a novel dual signal amplified sensing system for highly sensitive enzyme and protein detection.
The soybean lipoxygenase-fluorescein reaction may be used to assess antioxidant capacity of phytochemicals and serum
Authors: Soccio M. , Laus M. N. , Alfarano M. , Pastore D.
Published: May 2016

The new LOX-FL method highlights improvement of serum antioxidant capacity after antioxidant intake better than widely used methods.
X-ray fluorescence determination using glass bead samples and synthetic calibration standards for reliable routine analyses of ancient pottery
Authors: Ichikawa Shintaro , Matsumoto Takehaya , Nakamura Toshihiro
Published: May 2016

This paper describes a new X-ray fluorescence determination technique that uses glass bead specimens and synthetic calibration standards to reliably analyze the compositions of silicic pottery samples in order to estimate the provenance of the pottery.
Acoustotaxis – in vitro stimulation in a wound healing assay employing surface acoustic waves
Authors: Stamp M. E. M. , Brugger M. S. , Wixforth A. , Westerhausen C.
Published: May 2016

A novel, ultrasound based approach for the dynamic stimulation and promotion of tissue healing processes employing surface acoustic waves on a chip is presented for the example of osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells.
‘Clickable’ ZnO nanocrystals: the superiority of a novel organometallic approach over the inorganic sol–gel procedure
Authors: Grala Agnieszka , Wolska-Pietkiewicz Małgorzata , Danowski Wojciech , Wróbel Zbigniew , Grzonka Justyna , Lewiński Janusz
Published: May 2016

We demonstrate for the first time a highly efficient Cu(i)-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition reaction on the surface of ZnO nanocrystals with retention of their photoluminescence properties.
A decahaem cytochrome as an electron conduit in protein–enzyme redox processes
Authors: Lee Chong-Yong , Reuillard Bertrand , Sokol Katarzyna P. , Laftsoglou Theodoros , Lockwood Colin W. J. , Rowe Sam F. , Hwang Ee Taek , Fontecilla-Camps Juan C. , Jeuken Lars J. C. , Butt Julea N. , Reisner Erwin
Published: May 2016

The decahaem cytochrome MtrC from Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 was employed as a protein diode between an indium tin oxide electrode and fumarate reductase or hydrogenase.
Double C–H amination by consecutive SET oxidations
Authors: Evoniuk Christopher J. , Hill Sean P. , Hanson Kenneth , Alabugin Igor V.
Published: May 2016

A new method for intramolecular C–H oxidative amination is based on a FeCl3-mediated oxidative reaction of anilines with activated sp3 C–H bonds.
An ab initio molecular dynamics study of D2 dissociation on CO-precovered Ru(0001)
Authors: Wijzenbroek M. , Kroes G. J.
Published: May 2016

In dynamics studies of hydrogen dissociation on CO pre-covered Ru(0001) the simulation cell size is important for describing energy exchange.
The evolution of the surface of the mineral schreibersite in prebiotic chemistry
Authors: La Cruz Nikita L. , Qasim Danna , Abbott-Lyon Heather , Pirim Claire , McKee Aaron D. , Orlando Thomas , Gull Maheen , Lindsay Danny , Pasek Matthew A.
Published: May 2016

We demonstrate a synthesis of the meteoritic mineral schreibersite (Fe,Ni)3P, study its surface chemistry, and show prebiotic phosphorylation.
Dispelling some myths about the CO2 solubility in ionic liquids
Authors: Carvalho P. J. , Kurnia K. A. , Coutinho J. A. P.
Published: May 2016

ILs are not very good solvents for CO2. The apparent high solubility results from their high Mw and not from any special capability to dissolve CO2.
A tryptophan-containing fluorescent intramolecular complex as a designer peptidic proton sensor
Authors: Haridas V. , Yadav Anita , Sharma Sakshi , Pandey Siddharth
Published: May 2016

Pyrene and tryptophan groups judiciously placed on a molecular scaffold, namely, bispidine exhibited fluorescence due to the formation of an emissive intramolecular complex.
Ruthenium and ruthenium oxide nanofiber supports for enhanced activity of platinum electrocatalysts in the methanol oxidation reaction
Authors: An Geon-Hyoung , Lee Eun-Hwan , Ahn Hyo-Jin
Published: May 2016

Ru and RuO2 nanofiber composites arranged into nanosized grains as Pt catalyst supports are synthesized by electrospinning and post-calcination, which show excellent electrochemical activity.
Research highlights: applications of atomic force microscopy in natural and engineered water systems
Authors: Zhu Ruochen , Tan David T. , Shuai Danmeng
Published: May 2016

This article highlights recent applications of AFM in the characterization of membrane fouling by organic polymers, biofilms in drinking water distribution systems, and nucleation and growth processes of manganese (hydr)oxide nanoparticles.
Gradually softening hydrogels for modeling hepatic stellate cell behavior during fibrosis regression
Authors: Caliari Steven R. , Perepelyuk Maryna , Soulas Elizabeth M. , Lee Gi Yun , Wells Rebecca G. , Burdick Jason A.
Published: May 2016

The extracellular matrix (ECM) presents an evolving set of mechanical cues to resident cells. Here we developed a hydrogel combining stable and hydrolytically degradable crosslinks to model fibrosis resolution.
High-precision measurement of W isotopes in Fe–Ni alloy and the effects from the nuclear field shift
Authors: Cook David L. , Schönbächler Maria
Published: May 2016

A rapid and precise protocol for W isotopic analysis via MC-ICPMS and the effects of the nuclear field shift on chemically processed samples.
AC electric field induced droplet deformation in a microfluidic T-junction
Authors: Xi Heng-Dong , Guo Wei , Leniart Michael , Chong Zhuang Zhi , Tan Say Hwa
Published: May 2016

We present a novel method for the deformation of droplets in a microfluidic T-junction using an AC electric field.
Unprecedented staining of polar lipids by a luminescent rhenium complex revealed by FTIR microspectroscopy in adipocytes
Authors: Bader C. A. , Carter E. A. , Safitri A. , Simpson P. V. , Wright P. , Stagni S. , Massi M. , Lay P. A. , Brooks D. A. , Plush S. E.
Published: May 2016

Localisation of a neutral rhenium(i) tricarbonyl phenanthroline species to regions of high polar lipid concentrations is demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy.
Introduction to the themed issue in honor of Dr François Fajula: “An exciting journey in the creative world of ordered porous materials and their applications”
Authors: Galarneau Anne , Ivanova Irina I.
Published: May 2016

This themed issue, dedicated to François Fajula, includes the latest achievements in the field of ordered porous solids, which is among the most creative, fascinating and attractive fields of chemistry.
Heat-enhanced peptide synthesis on Teflon-patterned paper
Authors: Deiss Frédérique , Yang Yang , Matochko Wadim L. , Derda Ratmir
Published: May 2016

In this report, we describe the methodology for 96 parallel organic syntheses of peptides on Teflon-patterned paper assisted by heating with an infra-red lamp.
Correction: Substrate specificity of FUT8 and chemoenzymatic synthesis of core-fucosylated asymmetric N-glycans
Authors: Calderon Angie D. , Liu Yunpeng , Li Xu , Wang Xuan , Chen Xi , Li Lei , Wang Peng G.
Published: May 2016

Correction for ‘Substrate specificity of FUT8 and chemoenzymatic synthesis of core-fucosylated asymmetric N-glycans’ by Angie D. Calderon et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2016, DOI: 10.1039/c6ob00586a.
Towards new strategies for the synthesis of functional vinylidene fluoride-based copolymers with tunable wettability
Authors: Banerjee Sanjib , Soulestin Thibaut , Patil Yogesh , Ladmiral Vincent , Ameduri Bruno
Published: May 2016

–COOH functionalized poly(vinylidene fluoride) prepared using water-based non-fluorinated solvents displays tunable wettability suitable for potential application in coating, oil recovery and water purification.
Solution processable high-performance infrared organic photodetector by iodine doping
Authors: Tian Pin , Tang Libin , Xiang Jinzhong , Sun Zhenhua , Ji Rongbin , Lai Sin Ki , Ping Lau Shu , Kong Jincheng , Zhao Jun , Yang Chunzhang , Li Yanhui
Published: May 2016

A high-performance IR OPV detector has been fabricated, 2.7 wt% iodine doping may increase the absorption by 31.3% for the active film thus result in the ∼11 000-fold increase in responsivity for the detector.
Simultaneous trapping of Zn and Cd by a tungsten coil and its application to grain analysis using electrothermal inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Mao Xuefei , Zhang Ying , Liu Jixin , Wang Min , Qian Yongzhong , Zhang Zhiwei , Qi Yuehan , Gao Chengling
Published: May 2016

For the first time, a tungsten coil (TC) was employed to trap Zn and Cd at room temperature and release them by heating simultaneously.
Interface and core relaxation dynamics of IL molecules in nanopores of ordered mesoporous MCM-41: a dielectric spectroscopy study
Authors: Tripathi Alok Kumar , Singh Rajendra Kumar
Published: May 2016

The dynamics of ionic liquid molecules confined in ordered porous MCM-41 has been investigated by dielectric measurements and two types of confined states of IL were found; pore wall surface adsorbed IL and core of pore filled IL.
Nano-Sn doped carbon-coated rutile TiO2spheres as a high capacity anode for Li-ion battery
Authors: Zeng Tianbiao , Ji Penghui , Hu Xuebu , Li Gang
Published: May 2016

Nano-Sn doped carbon-coated rutile TiO2spheres (C-NS/TiO2-1 and C-NS/TiO2-2) as an improved TiO2-based anode for Li-ion batteries werein situfabricated.
Light-responsive fluids based on reversible wormlike micelle to rodlike micelle transitions
Authors: Xia Zhiyu , Jia Kangle , Li Xuefeng , Dong Jinfeng
Published: May 2016

A new family of rheological responsive fluids based on azobenzene surfactant and 5-methyl salicylic acid binary mixtures is developed due to the light-induced reversible transitions between wormlike micelles and rodlike micelles.
High quantum yield and pH sensitive fluorescence dyes based on coumarin derivatives: fluorescence characteristics and theoretical study
Authors: Hua Chao-jun , Zhang Kan , Xin Ming , Ying Ting , Gao Jian-rong , Jia Jian-hong , Li Yu-jin
Published: May 2016

The fluorescence coumarin derivatives were synthesized by an efficient one-pot, three-component reaction in 80–90% yields.
Encapsulation of pharmaceutical ingredient linker in metal–organic framework: combined experimental and theoretical insight into the drug delivery
Authors: Li Fumei , Li Baohong , Wang Chunfeng , Zeng Yongping , Liu Jianqiang , Gu Chu-Ying , Lu Pingfang , Mei Lin
Published: May 2016

This work studied the effect of this relationship on the drug adsorption and delivery of pharmacological molecules. The GCMC has been performed in order to support the drug–matrix interactions in the pore of the material.
Synthesis of polypyrrole–polystyrene composite microspheres via pseudo-multicomponent heterophase polymerization and the potential application on Cr(vi) removal
Authors: Hu Fengdan , Guo Longhai , Qiu Teng , Li Xiaoyu
Published: May 2016

Polypyrrole–polystyrene (PPy–PS) composite hollow microspheres with a dry-plum-like morphology were prepared via pseudo-multicomponent heterophase polymerization in an aqueous dispersion system.
A theophylline based copper N-heterocyclic carbene complex: synthesis and activity studies in green media
Authors: Szadkowska Anna , Staszko Sebastian , Zaorska Ewelina , Pawłowski Robert
Published: May 2016

The synthesis of an easily accessible theophylline-derived copper complex with additional ammonium functionalization has been developed.
Fabrication of Fe2TiO5/TiO2 nanoheterostructures with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Lou Zirui , Li Yaguang , Song Hui , Ye Zhizhen , Zhu Liping
Published: May 2016

In this work, we have fabricated Fe2TiO5/TiO2 heterostructures hollow nanospheres with 10 nm scale shell thickness, 220 m2 g−1 surface area and uniform distribution. Their visible photocatalytic activities for degrading pollutant are greatly enhanced.
Rapid extraction of uranium ions from seawater using novel porous polymeric adsorbents
Authors: Sihn Y. H. , Byun J. , Patel H. A. , Lee W. , Yavuz C. T.
Published: May 2016

Nanoporous polymeric networks, are firstly exploited for uranium capture from seawater. Amidoxime PIM-1 is capable of uptake 95% of uranium in 24 h, and the U extraction efficiency is to be intact throughout three cycles of sorbent regeneration.
Graphite oxide–iron oxide nanocomposites as a new class of catalyst for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate
Authors: Paulose Sanoop , Raghavan Rajeev , George Benny K.
Published: May 2016

Graphite oxide (GO) is receiving increased attention due to its special surface properties and layered structure for the synthesis of GO containing nanocomposites.
A novel antimicrobial target—expanded and revisited mode of action of pantothenamides
Authors: Maršavelski Aleksandra
Published: May 2016

A schematic representation showing the proposed stuffed pepper-like inhibition of the chain-flipping mechanism in fatty-acid biosynthesis.
“Clickable” thiacalix[4]arene derivatives bearing polymerizable 1,3-butadiyne fragments: synthesis and incorporation into polydiacetylene vesicles
Authors: Burilov Vladimir , Valiyakhmetova Alsu , Mironova Diana , Safiullin Roman , Kadirov Marsil , Ivshin Kamil , Kataeva Olga , Solovieva Svetlana , Antipin Igor
Published: May 2016

Thiacalix[4]arene-functionalized polydiacetylene (PDA) vesicles showed selective colorimetric response toward several lanthanide ions. This approach can be a good basis for lanthanide express analysis.
Synthesis of enantiomerically pure helicene-like mono 1,3-oxazines from 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′,7-triol and study of their chiroptical properties
Authors: Sundar M. Shyam , Bedekar Ashutosh V.
Published: May 2016

Several helicene-like molecules have been synthesized and characterized. The effect of helicene-like structural arrangement was more prominent in the chiroptical properties as compared to the stereogenic center of the diastereomeric compounds.
Energy transfer and multicolor emission in single-phase Na5Ln(WO4)4−z(MoO4)z:Tb3+,Eu3+ (Ln = La, Y, Gd) phosphors
Authors: Qin Dan , Tang Wanjun
Published: May 2016

A series of Tb3+ and/or Eu3+-doped Na5Ln(WO4)4−z(MoO4)z (0 ≤ z ≤ 4, Ln = La, Y, Gd) phosphors have been prepared via a simple Pechini method.
Electrochemically-responsive magnetic nanoparticles for reversible protein adsorption
Authors: Guo Jun , Wang Niejun , Peng Liao , Wu Jingjun , Ye Qiquan , Feng Anchao , Wang Zhipeng , Zhang Chong , Xing Xin-Hui , Yuan Jinying
Published: May 2016

Electrochemically-responsive magnetic hybrid nanoparticles are designed and prepared to achieve electrochemically-controlled reversible separation of proteins.
Facile synthesis of manganese silicate nanoparticles for pH/GSH-responsive T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Li X. W. , Zhao W. R. , Liu Y. J. , Liu X. H. , Shi P. , Li Y. S. , Shi J. L.
Published: May 2016

Manganese silicate nanoparticles were facilely synthesized and showed high potential as T1-MRI contrast agents for cancer diagnosis.
One step deposition of PEDOT films by plasma radicals assisted polymerization via chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Pistillo B. R. , Menguelti K. , Desbenoit N. , Arl D. , Leturcq R. , Ishchenko O. M. , Kunat M. , Baumann P. K. , Lenoble D.
Published: May 2016

PRAP-CVD has been developed to deposit intrinsically conducting polymer films in order to control the interface of electrodes in devices. As case study PEDOT film has been investigated.
Adaptive live streaming system performance of MMT and DASH over a deployed LTE network
Authors: Cho Y. , Park S. , Kim K. , Suh D.Y.
Published: May 2016

Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG) media transport and dynamic adaptive streaming over Hypertext Transfer Protocol are compared, which have been standardised by the MPEG for internet‐based video services. Their performances as adaptive live streaming systems are evaluated over a deployed long term evolution network. The results provide their operational limitations and optimal operation parameters to improve resource usage and the quality of the users’ experience.
Probabilistic Gaussian similarity‐based local colour transfer
Authors: Heo Y.S. , Jung H.Y.
Published: May 2016

A simple and robust probabilistic colour transfer method using feature matching and Gaussian mixture model (GMM)‐based soft segmentation is proposed. Traditional colour transfer methods using GMM colour model require proper Gaussian matching where the euclidean distances of mean colours and positions of spatially overlapping regions are usually used as a matching measure. It is, however, difficult for these methods to find proper Gaussian matches for images taken from different illuminations, brightnesses, view‐points as well as different camera types and settings. This is troublesome since incorrect matches result in unwanted colour artefacts. To cope with this problem, a new Gaussian similarity measure and probabilistic colour transfer formulation are presented. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared with previous methods, more robust and proper colour transfer results are generated for images taken from different conditions.
Switchable reflective metamaterial polarisation rotator
Authors: Saikia M. , Ghosh S. , Srivastava K.V.
Published: May 2016

A switchable wideband reflective metamaterial polarisation rotator based on plasmon resonances has been presented. The proposed design comprises of periodically arranged split rings on which PIN diodes are mounted to demonstrate switching operation. By controlling the bias voltage of the PIN diodes, the polarisation of the reflected wave can be controlled over a broad frequency range. The simulated result shows that over 90% cross‐polarised reflection is observed in 2.42–3.52 GHz under OFF state, whereas co‐polarised reflection is exhibited under ON state. Polarisation rotation has also been explained using two plasmon resonances in terms of electromagnetic responses. Finally the structure has been fabricated, whose measured results agree well with simulated responses, thus validating the concept behind switchable polarisation rotator.
Depth from defocus using superpixel‐based affinity model and cellular automata
Authors: Mahmoudpour S. , Kim M.
Published: May 2016

Depth from defocus (DFD) technique calculates the blur amount in images considering that the depth and defocus blur are related to each other. Existing DFD methods generally compute the blur at edge locations and solve an optimisation problem to propagate the blur from edges to all image pixels. Solving the pixel‐based optimisation problem is time‐consuming, posing the performance bottleneck. Moreover, the generated depth maps are not consistent in textured areas and the blur estimation may be incorrect in the regions with soft shadows. We address these problems by proposing a superpixel‐based blur estimation method. Experimental results show that the proposed method is not only faster than pixel‐based blur estimation, but also can improve depth data in textured regions and soft shadows.
Multi‐view human action recognition using 2D motion templates based on MHIs and their HOG description
Authors: Murtaza Fiza , Yousaf Muhammad Haroon , Velastin Sergio A.
Published: May 2016

In this study, a new multi‐view human action recognition approach is proposed by exploiting low‐dimensional motion information of actions. Before feature extraction, pre‐processing steps are performed to remove noise from silhouettes, incurred due to imperfect, but realistic segmentation. Two‐dimensional motion templates based on motion history image (MHI) are computed for each view/action video. Histograms of oriented gradients (HOGs) are used as an efficient description of the MHIs which are classified using nearest neighbor (NN) classifier. As compared with existing approaches, the proposed method has three advantages: (i) does not require a fixed number of cameras setup during training and testing stages hence missing camera‐views can be tolerated, (ii) requires less memory and bandwidth requirements and hence (iii) is computationally efficient which makes it suitable for real‐time action recognition. As far as the authors know, this is the first report of results on the MuHAVi‐uncut dataset having a large number of action categories and a large set of camera‐views with noisy silhouettes which can be used by future workers as a baseline to improve on. Experimentation results on multi‐view with this dataset gives a high‐accuracy rate of 95.4% using leave‐one‐sequence‐out cross‐validation technique and compares well to similar state‐of‐the‐art approaches.
Incorporating earth fault location in management‐control scheme for distribution networks
Authors: Elsadd Mahmoud A. , Elkalashy Nagy I. , Kawady Tamer A. , Taalab Abdel‐Maksoud I. , Lehtonen Matti
Published: May 2016

This study integrates earth fault location computation with fault management‐control schemes for distribution networks. To realise this target, a panel substation is located at the lateral outlet. The faulted section is identified precisely via a fault‐location algorithm. Then, isolating the faulted section is accomplished through control signals between the lateral‐panel substation and the faulted section isolators. The service restoration is achieved by a direct communication between the lateral‐panel substation and the feeder primary substation. The proposed fault‐location algorithm is based on the pure fault circuit with the initial condition of the earth fault using the measurements at each lateral panel. For phase‐to‐ground fault, the initial condition is the series connection for the sequence networks from the fault point. For phase‐to‐phase‐to‐ground fault, the initial condition is that the summation of the sequence currents at the fault point is equal to zero. The proposed fault‐location algorithm is, therefore, suitable for equipping distribution systems with distributed generation. Moreover, it is applicable for earthed or unearthed networks with all possibilities of transformer connection and load taps. For investigation purposes, simulation tests are performed using the IEEE 33‐bus automated feeder example. The simulation test results corroborated the efficacy of the proposed fault management system.