bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nicotinic Acid is a Common Regulator of Heat-Sensing TRPV1-4 Ion Channels
Authors: Ma Linlin , Lee Bo Hyun , Clifton Heather , Schaefer Saul , Zheng Jie
Published: March 2015

Nicotinic acid (NA, a.k.a. vitamin B3 or niacin) can reduce blood cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins whereas increase high-density lipoproteins. However, when NA is used to treat dyslipidemias, it causes a strong side effect of cutaneous vasodilation, commonly called flushing. A recent study showed that NA may cause flushing by lowering activation threshold temperature of the heat-sensitive capsaicin receptor TRPV1 ion channel, leading to its activation at body temperature. The finding calls into question whether NA might also interact with the homologous heat-sensitive TRPV2–4 channels, particularly given that TRPV3 and TRPV4 are abundantly expressed in keratinocytes of the skin where much of the flushing response occurs. We found that NA indeed potentiated TRPV3 while inhibited TRPV2 and TRPV4. Consistent with these gating effects, NA lowered the heat-activation threshold of TRPV3 but elevated that of TRPV4. We further found that activity of TRPV1 was substantially prolonged by extracellular NA, which may further enhance the direct activation effect. Consistent with the broad gating effect on TRPV1–4 channels, evidence from the present study hints that NA may share the same activation pathway as 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), a common agonist for these TRPV channels. These findings shed new light on the molecular mechanism underlying NA regulation of TRPV channels.
p53 Suppresses Tetraploid Development in Mice
Authors: Horii Takuro , Yamamoto Masamichi , Morita Sumiyo , Kimura Mika , Nagao Yasumitsu , Hatada Izuho
Published: March 2015

Mammalian tetraploid embryos die in early development because of defects in the epiblast. Experiments with diploid/tetraploid chimeric mice, obtained via the aggregation of embryonic stem cells, clarified that while tetraploid cells are excluded from epiblast derivatives, diploid embryos with tetraploid extraembryonic tissues can develop to term. Today, this method, known as tetraploid complementation, is usually used for rescuing extraembryonic defects or for obtaining completely embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived pups. However, it is still unknown why defects occur in the epiblast during mammalian development. Here, we demonstrated that downregulation of p53, a tumour suppressor protein, rescued tetraploid development in the mammalian epiblast. Tetraploidy in differentiating epiblast cells triggered p53-dependent cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis, suggesting the activation of a tetraploidy checkpoint during early development. Finally, we found that p53 downregulation rescued tetraploid embryos later in gestation.
Tubular filamentation for laser material processing
Authors: Xie Chen , Jukna Vytautas , Milián Carles , Giust Remo , Ouadghiri-Idrissi Ismail , Itina Tatiana , Dudley John M. , Couairon Arnaud , Courvoisier Francois
Published: March 2015

An open challenge in the important field of femtosecond laser material processing is the controlled internal structuring of dielectric materials. Although the availability of high energy high repetition rate femtosecond lasers has led to many advances in this field, writing structures within transparent dielectrics at intensities exceeding 1013 W/cm2 has remained difficult as it is associated with significant nonlinear spatial distortion. This letter reports the existence of a new propagation regime for femtosecond pulses at high power that overcomes this challenge, associated with the generation of a hollow uniform and intense light tube that remains propagation invariant even at intensities associated with dense plasma formation. This regime is seeded from higher order nondiffracting Bessel beams, which carry an optical vortex charge. Numerical simulations are quantitatively confirmed by experiments where a novel experimental approach allows direct imaging of the 3D fluence distribution within transparent solids. We also analyze the transitions to other propagation regimes in near and far fields. We demonstrate how the generation of plasma in this tubular geometry can lead to applications in ultrafast laser material processing in terms of single shot index writing and discuss how it opens important perspectives for material compression and filamentation guiding in atmosphere.
Visualization of synaptic domains in the Drosophila brain by magnetic resonance microscopy at 10 micron isotropic resolution
Authors: Lee Choong H. , Blackband Stephen J. , Fernandez-Funez Pedro
Published: March 2015

Understanding the complex architecture, connectivity and pathology of the human brain is a major application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the cellular basis of MR signal is still poorly understood. The advent of MR microscopy (MRM) enables imaging biological samples at cellular resolution, helping to interpret the nature of MR signal at the cellular level. In this regard, the small Drosophila brain can reveal key aspects of MR signal through the visualization of complex, intact neuronal structures in their native spatial arrangement. Applying state-of-the-art MR technology, we imaged fixed Drosophila heads at 10 μm isotropic resolution by two endogenously contrasted MRM sequences. The improved MRM sensitivity described here delivered the highest 3D resolution of an intact animal head reported so far. 3D fast low angle shot (FLASH) revealed strong signal in most internal tissues, particularly in the brain cortex, which contains the cell bodies of neurons and glia. Remarkably, 3D diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) delivered unprecedented contrast within the modular brain neuropil, revealing hyperintense signal in synapse-rich microdomains. Thus, the complex Drosophila brain revealed unknown features of FLASH and DWI with potential applications in characterizing the structure and pathology of the mammalian brain.
Novel genetic variants in differentiated thyroid cancer and assessment of the cumulative risk
Authors: Figlioli Gisella , Chen Bowang , Elisei Rossella , Romei Cristina , Campo Chiara , Cipollini Monica , Cristaudo Alfonso , Bambi Franco , Paolicchi Elisa , Hoffmann Per , Herms Stefan , Kalemba Michał , Kula Dorota , Pastor Susana , Marcos Ricard , Velázquez Antonia , Jarząb Barbara , Landi Stefano , Hemminki Kari , Gemignani Federica , Försti Asta
Published: March 2015

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) performed on a high-incidence Italian population followed by replications on low-incidence cohorts suggested a strong association of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 9q22.33, 2q35, 20q11.22-q12 and 14q24.3. Moreover, six additional susceptibility loci were associated with the disease only among Italians. The present study had two aims, first to identify loci involved in DTC risk and then to assess the cumulative effect of the SNPs identified so far in the Italian population. The combined analysis of the previous GWAS and the present Italian study provided evidence of association with rs7935113 (GALNTL4, OR = 1.36, 95%CI 1.20–1.53, p-value = 7.41 × 10−7) and rs1203952 (FOXA2, OR = 1.29, 95%CI 1.16–1.44, p-value = 4.42 × 10−6). Experimental ENCODE and eQTL data suggested that both SNPs may influence the closest genes expression through a differential recruitment of transcription factors. The assessment of the cumulative risk of eleven SNPs showed that DTC risk increases with an increasing number of risk alleles (p-trend = 3.13 × 10−47). Nonetheless, only a small fraction (about 4% on the disease liability scale) of DTC is explained by these SNPs. These data are consistent with a polygenic model of DTC predisposition and highlight the importance of association studies in the discovery of the disease hereditability.
Metabolomics integrated elementary flux mode analysis in large metabolic networks
Authors: Gerstl Matthias P. , Ruckerbauer David E. , Mattanovich Diethard , Jungreuthmayer Christian , Zanghellini Jürgen
Published: March 2015

Elementary flux modes (EFMs) are non-decomposable steady-state pathways in metabolic networks. They characterize phenotypes, quantify robustness or identify engineering targets. An EFM analysis (EFMA) is currently restricted to medium-scale models, as the number of EFMs explodes with the network's size. However, many topologically feasible EFMs are biologically irrelevant. We present thermodynamic EFMA (tEFMA), which calculates only the small(er) subset of thermodynamically feasible EFMs. We integrate network embedded thermodynamics into EFMA and show that we can use the metabolome to identify and remove thermodynamically infeasible EFMs during an EFMA without losing biologically relevant EFMs. Calculating only the thermodynamically feasible EFMs strongly reduces memory consumption and program runtime, allowing the analysis of larger networks. We apply tEFMA to study the central carbon metabolism of E. coli and find that up to 80% of its EFMs are thermodynamically infeasible. Moreover, we identify glutamate dehydrogenase as a bottleneck, when E. coli is grown on glucose and explain its inactivity as a consequence of network embedded thermodynamics. We implemented tEFMA as a Java package which is available for download at https://github.com/mpgerstl/tEFMA.
Lack of stress responses to long-term effects of corticosterone in Caps2 knockout mice
Authors: Mishima Yuriko , Shinoda Yo , Sadakata Tetsushi , Kojima Masami , Wakana Shigeharu , Furuichi Teiichi
Published: March 2015

Chronic stress is associated with anxiety and depressive disorders and can cause weight gain. Ca2+-dependent activator protein for secretion 2 (CAPS2) is involved in insulin release. Caps2 knockout (KO) mice exhibit decreased body weight, reduced glucose-induced insulin release and abnormal psychiatric behaviors. We chronically administered the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT), which induces anxiety/depressive-like behavior and normally increases plasma insulin levels, via the drinking water for 10 weeks and we examined the stress response in KO mice. Chronic CORT exposure inhibited stress-induced serum CORT elevation in wild-type (WT) mice, but not in KO mice. Poor weight gain in CORT-treated animals was observed until week 6 in WT mice, but persisted for the entire duration of the experiment in KO mice, although there is no difference in drug*genotype interaction. Among KO mice, food consumption was unchanged, while water consumption was higher, over the duration of the experiment in CORT-treated animals, compared with untreated animals. Moreover, serum insulin and leptin levels were increased in CORT-treated WT mice, but not in KO mice. Lastly, both WT and KO mice displayed anxiety/depressive-like behavior after CORT administration. These results suggest that Caps2 KO mice have altered endocrine responses to CORT administration, while maintaining CORT-induced anxiety/depressive-like behavior.
Encapsulation of S/SWNT with PANI Web for Enhanced Rate and Cycle Performance in Lithium Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Kim Joo Hyun , Fu Kun , Choi Junghyun , Kil Kichun , Kim Jeonghyun , Han Xiaogang , Hu Liangbing , Paik Ungyu
Published: March 2015

Lithium-sulfur batteries show great potential to compete with lithium-ion batteries due to the fact that sulfur can deliver a high theoretical capacity of 1672 mAh/g and a high theoretical energy density of 2500 Wh/kg. But it has several problems to be solved in order to achieve high sulfur utilization with high Coulombic efficiency and long cycle life of Li-S batteries. These problems are mainly caused by the dissoluble polysulfide species, which are a series of complex reduced sulfur products, associating with shuttle effect between electrodes as well as side reactions on lithium metal anode. To alleviate these challenges, we developed a sulfur-carbon nanotube (S/SWNT) composite coated with polyaniline (PANI) polymer as polysulfide block to achieve high sulfur utilization, high Coulombic efficiency and long cycle life. The PANI coated S/SWNT composite showed a superior specific capacity of 1011 mAh/g over 100 cycles and a good rate retention, demonstrating the synergic contribution of porous carbon and conducting polymer protection to address challenges underlying sulfur cathode.
Competition between surface modification and abrasive polishing: a method of controlling the surface atomic structure of 4H-SiC (0001)
Authors: Deng Hui , Endo Katsuyoshi , Yamamura Kazuya
Published: March 2015

The surface atomic step-terrace structure of 4H-SiC greatly affects its performance in power device applications. On the basis of the crystal structure of 4H-SiC, we propose the generation mechanism of the a-b-a*-b* type, a-b type and a-a type step-terrace structures. We demonstrate that the step-terrace structure of SiC can be controlled by adjusting the balance between chemical modification and physical removal in CeO2 slurry polishing. When chemical modification plays the main role in the polishing of SiC, the a-b-a*-b* type step-terrace structure can be generated. When the roles of physical removal and chemical modification have similar importance, the a-b-a*-b* type step-terrace structure changes to the a-b type. When physical removal is dominant, the uniform a-a type step-terrace structure can be generated.
Characterization and expression of the cytochrome P450 gene family in diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)
Authors: Yu Liying , Tang Weiqi , He Weiyi , Ma Xiaoli , Vasseur Liette , Baxter Simon W. , Yang Guang , Huang Shiguo , Song Fengqin , You Minsheng
Published: March 2015

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases are present in almost all organisms and can play vital roles in hormone regulation, metabolism of xenobiotics and in biosynthesis or inactivation of endogenous compounds. In the present study, a genome-wide approach was used to identify and analyze the P450 gene family of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, a destructive worldwide pest of cruciferous crops. We identified 85 putative cytochrome P450 genes from the P. xylostella genome, including 84 functional genes and 1 pseudogene. These genes were classified into 26 families and 52 subfamilies. A phylogenetic tree constructed with three additional insect species shows extensive gene expansions of P. xylostella P450 genes from clans 3 and 4. Gene expression of cytochrome P450s was quantified across multiple developmental stages (egg, larva, pupa and adult) and tissues (head and midgut) using P. xylostella strains susceptible or resistant to insecticides chlorpyrifos and fiprinol. Expression of the lepidopteran specific CYP367s predominantly occurred in head tissue suggesting a role in either olfaction or detoxification. CYP340s with abundant transposable elements and relatively high expression in the midgut probably contribute to the detoxification of insecticides or plant toxins in P. xylostella. This study will facilitate future functional studies of the P. xylostella P450s in detoxification.
Electrodeposition of ZnO window layer for an all-atmospheric fabrication process of chalcogenide solar cell
Authors: Tsin Fabien , Venerosy Amélie , Vidal Julien , Collin Stéphane , Clatot Johnny , Lombez Laurent , Paire Myriam , Borensztajn Stephan , Broussillou Cédric , Grand Pierre Philippe , Jaime Salvador , Lincot Daniel , Rousset Jean
Published: March 2015

This paper presents the low cost electrodeposition of a transparent and conductive chlorine doped ZnO layer with performances comparable to that produced by standard vacuum processes. First, an in-depth study of the defect physics by ab-initio calculation shows that chlorine is one of the best candidates to dope the ZnO. This result is experimentally confirmed by a complete optical analysis of the ZnO layer deposited in a chloride rich solution. We demonstrate that high doping levels (>1020 cm−3) and mobilities (up to 20 cm2 V−1 s−1) can be reached by insertion of chlorine in the lattice. The process developed in this study has been applied on a CdS/Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 p-n junction produced in a pilot line by a non vacuum process, to be tested as solar cell front contact deposition method. As a result efficiency of 14.3% has been reached opening the way of atmospheric production of Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 solar cell.
Inverted Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diodes using Polyethylenimine ethoxylated modified ZnO
Authors: Kim Hong Hee , Park Soohyung , Yi Yeonjin , Son Dong Ick , Park Cheolmin , Hwang Do Kyung , Choi Won Kook
Published: March 2015

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are an emerging class of new materials due to their unique physical properties. In particular, colloidal QD based light emitting diodes (QDLEDs) have been extensively studied and developed for the next generation displays and solid-state lighting. Among a number of approaches to improve performance of the QDLEDs, the most practical one is optimization of charge transport and charge balance in the recombination region. Here, we suggest a polyethylenimine ethoxylated (PEIE) modified ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) as electron injection and transport layer for inverted structure red CdSe-ZnS based QDLED. The PEIE surface modifier, incorporated on the top of the ZnO NPs film, facilitates the enhancement of both electron injection into the CdSe-ZnS QD emissive layer by lowering the workfunction of ZnO from 3.58 eV to 2.87 eV and charge balance on the QD emitter. As a result, this device exhibits a low turn-on voltage of 2.0–2.5 V and has maximum luminance and current efficiency values of 8600 cd/m2 and current efficiency of 1.53 cd/A, respectively. The same scheme with ZnO NPs/PEIE layer has also been used to successfully fabricate green, blue and white QDLEDs.
Epigenetic Biomarker to Support Classification into Pluripotent and Non-Pluripotent Cells
Authors: Lenz Michael , Goetzke Roman , Schenk Arne , Schubert Claudia , Veeck Jürgen , Hemeda Hatim , Koschmieder Steffen , Zenke Martin , Schuppert Andreas , Wagner Wolfgang
Published: March 2015

Quality control of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be performed by several methods. These methods are usually relatively labor-intensive, difficult to standardize, or they do not facilitate reliable quantification. Here, we describe a biomarker to distinguish between pluripotent and non-pluripotent cells based on DNA methylation (DNAm) levels at only three specific CpG sites. Two of these CpG sites were selected by their discriminatory power in 258 DNAm profiles – they were either methylated in pluripotent or non-pluripotent cells. The difference between these two β-values provides an Epi-Pluri-Score that was validated on independent DNAm-datasets (264 pluripotent and 1,951 non-pluripotent samples) with 99.9% specificity and 98.9% sensitivity. This score was complemented by a third CpG within the gene POU5F1 (OCT4), which better demarcates early differentiation events. We established pyrosequencing assays for the three relevant CpG sites and thereby correctly classified DNA of 12 pluripotent cell lines and 31 non-pluripotent cell lines. Furthermore, DNAm changes at these three CpGs were tracked in the course of differentiation of iPSCs towards mesenchymal stromal cells. The Epi-Pluri-Score does not give information on lineage-specific differentiation potential, but it provides a simple, reliable and robust biomarker to support high-throughput classification into either pluripotent or non-pluripotent cells.
Coherent control of optical polarization effects in metamaterials
Authors: Mousavi Seyedmohammad A. , Plum Eric , Shi Jinhui , Zheludev Nikolay I.
Published: March 2015

Processing of photonic information usually relies on electronics. Aiming to avoid the conversion between photonic and electronic signals, modulation of light with light based on optical nonlinearity has become a major research field and coherent optical effects on the nanoscale are emerging as new means of handling and distributing signals. Here we demonstrate that in slabs of linear material of sub-wavelength thickness optical manifestations of birefringence and optical activity (linear and circular birefringence and dichroism) can be controlled by a wave coherent with the wave probing the polarization effect. We demonstrate this in proof-of-principle experiments for chiral and anisotropic microwave metamaterials, where we show that the large parameter space of polarization characteristics may be accessed at will by coherent control. Such control can be exerted at arbitrarily low intensities, thus arguably allowing for fast handling of electromagnetic signals without facing thermal management and energy challenges.
Variabilities and uncertainties in characterising water transport kinetics in glassy and ultraviscous aerosol
Authors: Rickards Andrew M. J. , Song Young-Chul , Miles Rachael E. H. , Preston Thomas C. , Reid Jonathan P.
Published: March 2015

A comprehensive assessment of the accuracy with which water transport in viscous aerosol can be measured and predicted is provided.
Comment on “Environmentally responsible fabrication of efficient perovskite solar cells from recycled car batteries” by Po-Yen Chen, Jifa Qi, Matthew T. Klug, Xiangnan Dang, Paula T. Hammond and Angela M. Belcher, Energy Environ. Sci., 2014
Authors: Li Lei , Qi Guangxia , Yuan Chao , Sun Yinglong , Lei Xuefei , Xu Hui , Wang Yi
Published: March 2015

The use of components of spent car batteries, rather than new ones, to produce perovskite solar cells constitutes an eco-friendly process.
Reclamation of reactive metal oxides from complex minerals using alkali roasting and leaching – an improved approach to process engineering
Authors: Sanchez-Segado S. , Makanyire T. , Escudero-Castejon L. , Hara Y. , Jha A.
Published: March 2015

This review highlights the alkali roasting of aluminium, chromium and titanium minerals as an alternative to mitigate the environmental pressure associated with their mineral processing.
Trinuclear and tetranuclear cyclopentadienyl vanadium carbonyl clusters: unusual carbonyl groups in Herrmann's (C5H5)4V4(CO)4 exhibiting low CO stretching frequencies
Authors: Li Lu , Gong Shida , Zhang Xiuhui , Li Qian-shu , King R. Bruce
Published: March 2015

The global minimum Cp4V4(CO)4 structure with all μ3-CO is in disagreement with the structure with exclusively terminal CO proposed in the experimental work.
Copper-loaded polymeric magnetic nanocatalysts as retrievable and robust heterogeneous catalysts for click reactions
Authors: Pourjavadi Ali , Tajbakhsh Mahmood , Farhang Maryam , Hosseini Seyed Hassan
Published: March 2015

A novel heterogeneous copper catalyst based on poly(ionic liquid)-coated magnetic nanoparticles was prepared by the polymerization of 3-carboxymethyl-1-vinylimidazolium in the presence of surface-modified magnetic nanoparticles, followed by the coordination of the carboxylate units in the polymer chains with copper sulfate.
Optical spectroscopic studies on the complexation of stilbazolium dyes with a water soluble pillar[5]arene
Authors: Bojtár Márton , Szakács Zoltán , Hessz Dóra , Kubinyi Miklós , Bitter István
Published: March 2015

The host–guest interactions of carboxylato-pillar[5]arene (WPA5) and three stilbazolium dyes were studied by optical spectroscopy. A fluorescence indicator displacement based on WPA5 was shown to detect paraquat in aqueous solution.
Anisotropic terahertz response of stretch-aligned composite films based on carbon nanotube–SiC hybrid structures
Authors: Wu Ruili , Li Weilong , Wan Yun , Ren Zhaoyu , Xu Xinlong , Zhou Yixuan
Published: March 2015

Anisotropic terahertz response of stretch-aligned composite films based on carbon nanotube–SiC hybrid structure was investigated.
Formation of C(sp2)–S bonds through decarboxylation of α-oxocarboxylic acids with disulfides or thiophenols
Authors: Rong Guangwei , Mao Jincheng , Liu Defu , Yan Hong , Zheng Yang , Chen Jie
Published: March 2015

Copper-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling between α-oxocarboxylic acids and diphenyl disulfides or thiophenols is presented, which provided an effective and direct approach for the preparation of useful thioesters through C(sp2)–S bond formation.
Effect of waste cellulose fibres on the charge storage capacity of polypyrrole and graphene/polypyrrole electrodes for supercapacitor application
Authors: De Adhikari A. , Oraon R. , Tiwari S. K. , Lee Joong Hee , Nayak G. C.
Published: March 2015

This paper explores the possibility of bridging two major challenges of the contemporary world, i.e., waste management and energy storage.
White-light-emitting properties of SrTiO3:Pr3+ nanoparticles
Authors: Tang Wei , Sun Ye , Yu Miao , Liu Xiao , Yin Yongqi , Yang Bin , Zheng Limei , Qin Feng , Zhang Zhiguo , Cao Wenwu
Published: March 2015

White-light emission from SrTiO3:Pr3+ nanoparticles has been achieved by tuning combination of the 3P0 and 1D2-related blue to red emissions.
PdO nanoparticles enhancing the catalytic activity of Pd/carbon nanotubes for 4-nitrophenol reduction
Authors: Wang Chunxia , Yang Fan , Yang Wang , Ren Liang , Zhang Yunhan , Jia Xilai , Zhang Liqiang , Li Yongfeng
Published: March 2015

In this work, Pd/PdO nanoparticles (NPs) supported on oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes are prepared by a one-pot gas–liquid interfacial plasma method. The presence of PdO NPs significantly enhances the performance of the catalyst in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol.
Preparation and characterization of a polyethersulfone/polyaniline nanocomposite membrane for ultrafiltration and as a substrate for a gas separation membrane
Authors: Zhu Shu , Shi Mengqi , Zhao Song , Wang Zhi , Wang Jixiao , Wang Shichang
Published: March 2015

PES/PANI nanocomposite membrane displayed excellent flux and antifouling property for UF. Meanwhile, PES/PANI non-woven fabrics supported membrane performed as a suitable substrate for gas separation membrane with PVAm selective layer.
Applications of dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS) to evaluate protective coatings formed on AZ31 magnesium alloy
Authors: Srinivasan A. , Shin Kwang Seon , Rajendran N.
Published: March 2015

Increase in magnitude (IZI) and phase angle maximum values with applied potential reveal the protective nature of the coating.
Ultrathin porous Co3O4 nanoplates as highly efficient oxygen evolution catalysts
Authors: Zhou Xuemei , Xia Zhaoming , Tian Zhinmin , Ma Yuanyuan , Qu Yongquan
Published: March 2015

Porous Co3O4 nanoplates with easily controllable pore size, pore density and crystalline size, synthesized by hydrothermal and subsequent high temperature treatment, exhibit a high electrocatalytic efficiency and stability for water oxidation in alkaline electrolyte solution.
Direct oligonucleotide–photosensitizer conjugates for photochemical delivery of antisense oligonucleotides
Authors: Yuan Ahu , Laing Brian , Hu Yiqiao , Ming Xin
Published: March 2015

Direct conjugation of photosensitizer to oligonucleotides allows spatial and temporal co-localization of the two modalities in the target cells and thus leads to superior photochemical delivery of oligonucleotides.
I2-catalyzed synthesis of substituted imidazoles from vinyl azides and benzylamines
Authors: Xiang Likui , Niu Yanning , Pang Xiaobo , Yang Xiaodong , Yan Rulong
Published: March 2015

A novel and efficient I2-catalyzed oxidative tandem cyclization of simple vinyl azides and benzylamines has been developed for the synthesis of substituted imidazoles.
Controlled lanthanide–organic framework nanospheres as reversible and sensitive luminescent sensors for practical applications
Authors: Hou Yin-Ling , Xu Hang , Cheng Rui-Rui , Zhao Bin
Published: March 2015

Two novel 3D lanthanide MOFs were synthesized, and further transformed into nanospheres with controlled sizes. Luminescence studies revealed that 2 is a sensitive and reversible luminescent sensor for cyclohexane and nitrobenzene with zero cost regeneration.
A fused meso-aminoporphyrin: a switchable near-IR chromophore
Authors: Pawlicki Miłosz , Hurej Karolina , Kwiecińska Katarzyna , Szterenberg Ludmiła , Latos-Grażyński Lechosław
Published: March 2015

meso-Nitrogen acts as a switch controlling the absorption and emission properties of the fused meso-aminoporphyrin.
Ultrasensitive room temperature NH3 sensor based on a graphene–polyaniline hybrid loaded on PET thin film
Authors: Bai Shouli , Zhao Yangbo , Sun Jianhua , Tian Ye , Luo Ruixian , Li Dianqing , Chen Aifan
Published: March 2015

A room temperature smart NH3 sensor based on rGO–PANI hybrid loading on flexible PET thin film prepared by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization is reported for the first time. The sensor not only exhibits high sensitivity, good selectivity and fast response but also has flexibility, is inexpensive and has wearable characteristics.
Rh/Cu-catalyzed multiple C–H, C–C, and C–N bond cleavage: facile synthesis of pyrido[2,1-a]indoles from 1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-indoles and γ-substituted propargyl alcohols
Authors: Li Ting , Wang Zhen , Zhang Mingliang , Zhang Hui-Jun , Wen Ting-Bin
Published: March 2015

The Rh/Cu-catalyzed synthesis of pyrido[2,1-a]indoles from 1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-indoles and γ-substituted propargyl alcohols involving multiple C–H, C–C, and C–N bond cleavage and construction is presented.
Bis(triphenylphosphine)silver(i) perrhenate, a cyclic dimer
Authors: Deiser F. , Kraus F. , Schmidbaur H.
Published: March 2015

The 1 : 4 and 1 : 2 complexes of silver perrhenate and triphenylphosphine, [(Ph3P)4Ag]+ReO4−and [(Ph3P)2AgReO4]2, have been prepared and their structures determined in the solid state by X-ray diffraction.
A photoinduced growth system of peptide nanofibres addressed by DNA hybridization
Authors: Furutani Masahiro , Uemura Akihito , Shigenaga Akira , Komiya Chiaki , Otaka Akira , Matsuura Kazunori
Published: March 2015

Spatiotemporal control of peptide nanofibre growth was achieved by photocleavage of a DNA-conjugated β-sheet-forming peptide with a photoresponsive amino acid.
Synthesis and structural study of a new group of trigermanates, CaRE2Ge3O10(RE = La–Yb)
Authors: Lipina Olga A. , Surat Ludmila L. , Tyutyunnik Alexander P. , Leonidov Ivan I. , Vovkotrub Emma G. , Zubkov Vladimir G.
Published: March 2015

The changes in the Ge3O10conformation and coordination environment of the three nonequivalent sites of metal cations within the structures of CaY2Ge3O10, CaPr2Ge3O10and CaLa2Ge3O10.
Alkyl linker effects on the coordination topology of ditopic di(2-pyridylmethyl)amine carboxylate ligands with ZnIIand CuII: polymersvs.macrocycles
Authors: Rodpun Kiattipoom , Blackman Allan G. , Gardiner Michael G. , Tan Eng Wui , Meledandri Carla J. , Lucas Nigel T.
Published: March 2015

Di(2-pyridylmethyl)amine carboxylates with short alkyl linkers afford coordination polymers whereas the longer homologues favour macrocyclic topologies.
Radical-induced, proton-transfer-driven fragmentations in [b5 − H]˙+ ions derived from pentaalanyl tryptophan
Authors: Williams Declan , Lau Justin Kai-Chi , Zhao Junfang , Mädler Stefanie , Wang Yating , Saminathan Irine S. , Hopkinson Alan C. , Siu K. W. Michael
Published: March 2015

Dissociation of [b5 − H]˙+ ions show sequence scrambling with the Trp residue and radical centre always retained in the product ions.
Evaluation of the intrinsic charge carrier transporting properties of linear- and bent-shaped π-extended benzo-fused thieno[3,2-b]thiophenes
Authors: Tsutsui Yusuke , Sakurai Tsuneaki , Minami Sojiro , Hirano Koji , Satoh Tetsuya , Matsuda Wakana , Kato Kenichi , Takata Masaki , Miura Masahiro , Seki Shu
Published: March 2015

The local-scale hole mobilities of two isomeric linear- and bent-shaped π-extended thienoacenes were investigated using flash-photolysis and field-induced time-resolved microwave conductivity (FP- and FI-TRMC) techniques.
From rational design of organometallic precursors to optimized synthesis of core/shell Ge/GeO2nanoparticles
Authors: Matioszek D. , Ojo W.-S. , Cornejo A. , Katir N. , El Ezzi M. , Le Troedec M. , Martinez H. , Gornitzka H. , Castel A. , Nayral C. , Delpech F.
Published: March 2015

The synthesis conditions of germanium-based nanoparticles have been drastically softened thanks to the design of a suitable precursor featuring enhanced reactivity.
Temporal analysis of E. coli, TSS and wastewater micropollutant loads from combined sewer overflows: implications for management
Authors: Anne-Sophie Madoux-Humery , Dorner Sarah M. , Sauvé Sébastien , Aboulfadl Khadija , Galarneau Martine , Servais Pierre , Prévost Michèle
Published: March 2015

A combined sewer overflow (CSO) outfall was monitored during different seasons (including the snowmelt period) to assess the impact ofE. coli, TSS and WWMP temporal mass loads on the appropriateness of treatment options.
Enhanced direct production of sorbitol by cellulose ball-milling
Authors: S. Ribeiro Lucília , Órfão José J. M. , R. Pereira Manuel Fernando
Published: March 2015

Promising progress has been made towards the catalytic conversion of cellulose into sorbitol with high selectivity by an environmentally friendly process.
Magnetic micro-device for manipulating PC12 cell migration and organization
Authors: Alon N. , Havdala T. , Skaat H. , Baranes K. , Marcus M. , Levy I. , Margel S. , Sharoni A. , Shefi O.
Published: March 2015

A ferromagnetic micropatterned device generating highly localized magnetic fields with controllable magnetic flux densities to manipulate neuron-like cell migration and organization at the microscale level.
Ultrasonic welding for fast bonding of self-aligned structures in lab-on-a-chip systems
Authors: Kistrup K. , Poulsen C. E. , Hansen M. F. , Wolff A.
Published: March 2015

We demonstrate ultrasonic welding for (1) self-aligned gapless bonding of a two-part lab-on-a-chip system and for (2) bonding of a large area shallow chamber. Combining injection moulding using micromilled shims with ultrasonic welding, we can go from design to a batch of chips within a single day. The chips are mass-producible with a total production time of 60 s per chip.
Identification of potential dual agonists of FXR and TGR5 using e-pharmacophore based virtual screening
Authors: Sindhu Thangaraj , Srinivasan Pappu
Published: March 2015

Farnesoid X receptor and Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor-5 are well known bile acid receptors and act as promising targets for the drug development and treatment of diabetes.
Fabrication of a coral/double-wall TiO2 nanotube array film electrode with higher photoelectrocatalytic activity under sunlight
Authors: Liu Yan , Mu Kangsheng , Yang Gang , Peng Hong , Shen Fei , Wang Lilin , Deng Shihuai , Zhang Xiaohong , Zhang Yanzong
Published: March 2015

A unique coral/DWNT TiO2 film electrode with a mixed-phase was prepared, and its optical absorption can extend to the visible region.
How to choose a precursor for decomposition solution-phase synthesis: the case of iron nanoparticles
Authors: Herman David A. J. , Cheong-Tilley Soshan , McGrath Andrew J. , McVey Benjamin F. P. , Lein Matthias , Tilley Richard D.
Published: March 2015

Investigation of how the organometallic precursor controls the size and monodispersity of iron nanoparticles made from decomposition solution-phase synthesis.
Synthesis and evaluation of a (3R,6S,9S)-2-oxo-1-azabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane scaffold as a mimic of Xaa-trans-Pro in poly-l-proline type II helix conformation
Authors: Aillard Boris , Kilburn Jeremy D. , Blaydes Jeremy P. , Tizzard Graham J. , Findlow Stuart , Werner Jörn M. , Bloodworth Sally
Published: March 2015

Stereoselective synthesis of a (3R,6S,9S)-2-oxo-1-azabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane mimic of Xaa-trans-Pro in poly-l-proline type II helix conformation is reported.
End-quenching of tert-chloride-terminated polyisobutylene with alkoxybenzenes: comparison of AlCl3 and TiCl4 catalysts
Authors: Yang Bin , Storey Robson F.
Published: March 2015

Functional polyisobutylenes were prepared by quenching living carbocationic PIB with alkoxybenzenes such as (3-bromopropoxy)benzene using AlCl3 or TiCl4 as catalyst.
Electro-conductively deposited carbon fibers for power controllable heating elements
Authors: Kim Chang Hyo , Kim Moo Sung , Kim Yoong Ahm , Yang Kap Seung , Baek Seung Jo , Lee Young-Jun , Yang Cheol-Min , Lee Yang Jin , Hwang Jun Yeon
Published: March 2015

Carbon fibers are considered as one of the promising heating elements in various industrial applications because of their excellent thermal stability and electrical conductivity.
In situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles on LBL coated nanofibers by tannic acid for catalytic application
Authors: Zhou Bin , Jin Xing , Hongshan Liang Hongshan Liang , Li Jing , Liu Shilin , Li Yan , Chen Yijie , Li Bin
Published: March 2015

Electrospinning nanofibrous mats are extensively studied as efficient two-dimensional nanomaterials and applied in the fields of filtration, catalysis, and biosensors due to their flexibility and porosity.
Magnetic Prussian blue nanoparticles for combined enzyme-responsive drug release and photothermal therapy
Authors: Xue Peng , Bao Jingnan , Wu Yafeng , Zhang Yilei , Kang Yuejun
Published: March 2015

Multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles based on Fe3O4 nanocore and Prussian blue nanoshell for combined enzyme-responsive drug release and photothermal therapy.
Kinetic and mechanistic investigations of the thermal decomposition of methyl-substituted cycloalkyl radicals
Authors: Chen Long , Wang Wenliang , Wang Weina , Li Chunying , Liu Fengyi , Lü Jian
Published: March 2015

We perform systemic theoretical investigations on the thermal decomposition of 2-Me-cyclobutyl, 2-Me-cyclopentyl and 2-Me-cyclohexyl radicals at CBS-QB3 and CCSD(T) levels.
Electronic pH switching of DNA triplex reactions
Authors: Minero Gabriel Antonio S. , Wagler Patrick F. , Oughli Alaa A. , McCaskill John S.
Published: March 2015

Remote electronic control of fast DNA processing reactions such as S–S-ligation is achievedviapH switching of triplex structures.
A method distinguishing between guest molecules that can form sI, sII, and sH hydrogen clathrates
Authors: Atamas Alexander A. , de Leeuw Simon W. , Cuppen Herma M.
Published: March 2015

A new method based on free energy calculations is proposed for discriminating between promoters that can form sI, sII, and sH hydrogen clathrates.
Metallization of electrospun PAN nanofibers via electroless gold plating
Authors: Yadav Ramdayal , Balasubramanian K.
Published: March 2015

An electroless gold plating process was investigated for the metallization of an electropun PAN fibre by utilizing a non-cyanide based gold complex i.e. gold thiosulfate.
Electroconductive smart polyacrylamide–polypyrrole (PAC–PPY) hydrogel: a device for controlled release of risperidone
Authors: Saha Suparna , Sarkar Priyabrata , Sarkar Mrinmoy , Giri Biplab
Published: March 2015

Risperidone is a widely used antipsychotic drug for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Porous reduced graphene oxide paper as a binder-free electrode for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Yu , Ying Yulong , Mao Yiyin , Hu Pan , Peng Xinsheng
Published: March 2015

Porous rGO exhibited an excellent high specific capacity of 173.5 F g−1, good cycling stability, and 28.5 W h kg−1 and power density of 4000 W kg−1, far beyond those of pure stacked rGO paper.
Side-on coordination of boryl and borylene complexes to cationic coinage metal fragments
Authors: Braunschweig Holger , Radacki Krzysztof , Shang Rong
Published: March 2015

The M-(η2-BMn) complex [(η5-C5H5)(OC)2Mn{μ-B(Cl)(tBu)Au(PPh3)}] (2) can be functionalized via halide substitution reactions to afford isostructural complexes [(η5-C5H5)(OC)2Mn{μ-B(R)(tBu)Au(PPh3)}] (R = Ph, CCPh and NCS).
A general approach to the design of allosteric, transcription factor-regulated DNAzymes
Authors: Adornetto G. , Porchetta A. , Palleschi G. , Plaxco K. W. , Ricci F.
Published: March 2015

Here we explore a general strategy for the rational design of nucleic acid catalysts that can be allosterically activated by specific nucleic-acid binding proteins.
Virtual screening for high affinity guests for synthetic supramolecular receptors
Authors: Cullen William , Turega Simon , Hunter Christopher A. , Ward Michael D.
Published: March 2015

The protein/ligand docking programme ‘GOLD’ can be used to identify new strongly-binding guests for a synthetic coordination cage host.
Solar hydrogen evolution using a CuGaS2photocathode improved by incorporating reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Iwase A. , Ng Y. H. , Amal R. , Kudo A.
Published: March 2015

A photoelectrochemical cell consisting of an enhanced RGO–CuGaS2composite photocathode and a CoOx-loaded BiVO4photoanode generated photocurrent under simulated sunlight irradiation without any external applied bias.
Folic acid supplementation improves microvascular function in older adults through nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms
Authors: Stanhewicz Anna E. , Alexander Lacy M. , Kenney W. Larry
Published: March 2015

Older adults have reduced vascular endothelial function, evidenced by attenuated nitric oxide (NO)-dependent cutaneous vasodilatation. Folic acid and its metabolite, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), are reported to improve vessel function. We hypothesized that (i) local 5-MTHF administration and (ii) chronic folic acid supplementation would improve cutaneous microvascular function in ageing through NO-dependent mechanisms. There were two separate studies in which there were 11 young (Y: 22±1 years) and 11 older (O: 71±3 years) participants. In both studies, two intradermal microdialysis fibres were placed in the forearm skin for local delivery of lactated Ringer's solution with or without 5 mM 5-MTHF. Red cell flux was measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry. Cutaneous vascular conductance [CVC=red cell flux/mean arterial pressure] was normalized as percentage maximum CVC (%CVCmax) (28 mM sodium nitroprusside, local temperature 43°C). In study 1 after CVC plateaued during local heating, 20 mM NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was perfused at each site to quantify NO-dependent vasodilatation. The local heating plateau (%CVCmax: O=82±3 vs Y=96±1, P=0.002) and NO-dependent vasodilatation (%CVCmax: O=26±6% vs Y=49±5, P=0.03) were attenuated in older participants. 5-MTHF augmented the overall (%CVCmax=91±2, P=0.03) and NO-dependent (%CVCmax=43±9%, P=0.04) vasodilatation in older but not young participants. In study 2 the participants ingested folic acid (5 mg/day) or placebo for 6 weeks in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. A rise in oral temperature of 1°C was induced using a water-perfused suit, body temperature was held and 20 mM L-NAME was perfused at each site. Older participants had attenuated reflex (%CVCmax: O=31±8 vs Y=44±5, P=0.001) and NO-dependent (%CVCmax: O=9±2 vs Y=21±2, P=0.003) vasodilatation. Folic acid increased CVC (%CVCmax=47±5%, P=0.001) and NO-dependent vasodilatation (20±3%, P=0.003) in the older but not the young participants. Both local perfusion of 5-MTHF and supplementation with folic acid increase vasodilatation in ageing individuals through NO-dependent mechanisms.
Probabilistic generation of time‐coupled aggregate residential demand patterns
Authors: Sajjad Intisar Ali , Chicco Gianfranco , Napoli Roberto
Published: March 2015

For distribution system studies, a relevant aspect is the characterisation of the aggregate demand in a feeder. The probabilistic model of the aggregate demand is very useful for system operators or aggregators to extract information about the demand side behaviour in the operation of smart grids and microgrids. The time step used to scan the aggregate demand pattern is very important to preserve the information about the consumers’ behaviour and the related uncertainty. The conventional models of aggregate electrical demand consider an average value for a specific time step (e.g. 30 min to 1 h). In this study, a faster time step (1 min) is considered to construct a time‐coupled probabilistic model of the aggregate residential demand based on Beta distributions. For a given number of aggregate loads, the parameters of the Beta distributions are found by taking into account the aggregate demand pattern variations at two successive time steps. The probabilistic model is then used to generate a number of aggregate demand scenarios. The effectiveness of the proposed scenario generation method is evaluated by using goodness of fit tests such as the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and the average mean absolute percentage error.
Improving image clarity using local feature dimension
Authors: Lowe Thomas
Published: March 2015

This study presents an alternative method of displaying vector and raster graphics which provides greater visual clarity than standard methods. Rather than rasterising lines and points by shading them with a pixel thickness, shade is interpreted as an intensity per length and per point, respectively; generically per fractal measure of the geometric feature. Integrating these shades through supersampling provides a generic shading method that is independent of screen resolution, supersample size and feature dimension. By using a fractal measure that is local in both space and scale, the author's method generalises to arbitrary features and so is extendable to raster images where no feature is truly sub‐two‐dimensional. The resulting images exhibit details that are lost to standard rasterisers. Their system can be seen as enabling a sliding scale between a photographic view and a diagrammatic view of the same data.
Chaotic dynamics and diffusion in a piecewise linear equation
Authors: Shahrear Pabel , Glass Leon , Edwards Rod
Published: March 2015

Genetic interactions are often modeled by logical networks in which time is discrete and all gene activity states update simultaneously. However, there is no synchronizing clock in organisms. An alternative model assumes that the logical network is preserved and plays a key role in driving the dynamics in piecewise nonlinear differential equations. We examine dynamics in a particular 4-dimensional equation of this class. In the equation, two of the variables form a negative feedback loop that drives a second negative feedback loop. By modifying the original equations by eliminating exponential decay, we generate a modified system that is amenable to detailed analysis. In the modified system, we can determine in detail the Poincaré (return) map on a cross section to the flow. By analyzing the eigenvalues of the map for the different trajectories, we are able to show that except for a set of measure 0, the flow must necessarily have an eigenvalue greater than 1 and hence there is sensitive dependence on initial conditions. Further, there is an irregular oscillation whose amplitude is described by a diffusive process that is well-modeled by the Irwin-Hall distribution. There is a large class of other piecewise-linear networks that might be analyzed using similar methods. The analysis gives insight into possible origins of chaotic dynamics in periodically forced dynamical systems.