bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic evaluation of error rates and causes in short samples in next-generation sequencing
Authors: Pfeiffer Franziska , Gröber Carsten , Blank Michael , Händler Kristian , Beyer Marc , Schultze Joachim L. , Mayer Günter
Published: July 2018

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is the method of choice when large numbers of sequences have to be obtained. While the technique is widely applied, varying error rates have been observed. We analysed millions of reads obtained after sequencing of one single sequence on an Illumina sequencer. According to our analysis, the index-PCR for sample preparation has no effect on the observed error rate, even though PCR is traditionally seen as one of the major contributors to enhanced error rates in NGS. In addition, we observed very persistent pre-phasing effects although the base calling software corrects for these. Removal of shortened sequences abolished these effects and allowed analysis of the actual mutations. The average error rate determined was 0.24 ± 0.06% per base and the percentage of mutated sequences was found to be 6.4 ± 1.24%. Constant regions at the 5′- and 3′-end, e.g., primer binding sites used in in vitro selection procedures seem to have no effect on mutation rates and re-sequencing of samples obtains very reproducible results. As phasing effects and other sequencing problems vary between equipment and individual setups, we recommend evaluation of error rates and types to all NGS-users to improve the quality and analysis of NGS data.
Evaluation of Oxford Nanopore’s MinION Sequencing Device for Microbial Whole Genome Sequencing Applications
Authors: Tyler Andrea D. , Mataseje Laura , Urfano Chantel J. , Schmidt Lisa , Antonation Kym S. , Mulvey Michael R. , Corbett Cindi R.
Published: July 2018

The MinION sequencer (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) is a paradigm shifting device allowing rapid, real time long read sequencing of nucleic acids. Yet external benchmarking of this technologies’ capabilities has not been extensively reported, nor has thorough evaluation of its utility for field-based analysis with sub-optimal sample types been described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of the MinION sequencer for bacterial genomic and metagenomic applications, with specific emphasis placed on the quality, yield, and accuracy of generated sequence data. Two independent laboratories at the National Microbiology Laboratory (Public Health Agency of Canada), sequenced a set of microbes in replicate, using the currently available flowcells, sequencing chemistries, and software available at the time of the experiment. Overall sequencing yield and quality improved through the course of this set of experiments. Sequencing alignment accuracy was high reaching 97% for all 2D experiments, though was slightly lower for 1D sequencing (94%). 1D sequencing provided much longer sequences than 2D. Both sequencing chemistries performed equally well in constructing genomic assemblies. There was evidence of barcode cross-over using both the native and PCR barcoding methods. Despite the sub-optimal nature of samples sequenced in the field, sequences attributable toB. anthracisthe target organism used in this scenario, could none-the-less be detected. Together, this report showcases the rapid advancement in this technology and its utility in the context of genomic sequencing of microbial isolates of importance to public health.
Embryonic germ cell extracts erase imprinted genes and improve the efficiency of induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Hu Jing , Zhao Qiaoshi , Feng Yukuan , Li Na , Gu Yanli , Sun Ruizhen , Duan Lian , Wu Yanshuang , Shan Zhiyan , Lei Lei
Published: July 2018

Patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have the potential to be useful in the treatment of human diseases. While prior studies have reported multiple methods to generate iPSCs, DNA methylation continues to limit the totipotency and reprogramming efficiency of iPSCs. Here, we first show the competency of embryonic germ cells (EGCs) as a reprogramming catalyst capable of effectively promoting reprogramming induced by four defined factors, including Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc. Combining EGC extracts with these four factors resulted in formation of more embryonic stem cell-like colonies than did factors alone. Notably, expression of imprinted genes was higher with combined induction than with factors alone. Moreover, iPSCs derived from the combined inductors tended to have more global hypomethylation. Our research not only provides evidence that EGC extracts could activate DNA demethylation and reprogram imprinted genes, but also establishes a new way to enhance reprogramming of iPSCs, which remains a critical safety concern for potential use of iPSCs in regenerative medicine.
Interactions of bacteriophage T4 adhesin with selected lipopolysaccharides studied using atomic force microscopy
Authors: Brzozowska Ewa , Leśniewski Adam , Sęk Sławomir , Wieneke Ralph , Tampé Robert , Górska Sabina , Jönsson-Niedziółka Martin , Niedziółka-Jönsson Joanna
Published: July 2018

The interaction between the T4 bacteriophage gp37 adhesin and the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a well-studied system, however, the affinity and strength of the interaction haven’t been analyzed so far. Here, we use atomic force microscopy to determine the strength of the interaction between the adhesin and its receptor, namely LPS taken from a wild strain of E. coli B. As negative controls we used LPSs of E. coli O111:B and Hafnia alvei. To study the interaction an AFM tip modified with the gp37 adhesin was used to scan surfaces of mica covered with one of the three different LPSs. Using the correlation between the surface topography images and the tip-surface interaction we could verify the binding between the specific LPS and the tip in contrast to the very weak interaction between the tip and the non-binding LPSs. Using force spectroscopy we could then measure the binding strength by pulling on the AFM tip until it lifted off from the surface. The force necessary to break the interaction between gp37 and LPS from E. coli B, LPS from E. coli O111:B and LPS from H. alvei were measured to be 70 ± 29 pN, 46 ± 13 pN and 45 ± 14 pN, respectively. The latter values are likely partially due to non-specific interaction between the gp37 and the solid surface, as LPS from E. coli O111:B and LPS from H. alvei have been shown to not bind to gp37, which is confirmed by the low correlation between binding and topography for these samples.
Native point defects of semiconducting layered Bi2O2Se
Authors: Li Huanglong , Xu Xintong , Zhang Yi , Gillen Roland , Shi Luping , Robertson John
Published: July 2018

Bi2O2Se is an emerging semiconducting, air-stable layered material (Nat. Nanotechnol. 2017, 12, 530; Nano Lett. 2017, 17, 3021), potentially exceeding MoS2 and phosphorene in electron mobility and rivalling typical Van der Waals stacked layered materials in the next-generation high-speed and low-power electronics. Holding the promise of functional versatility, it is arousing rapidly growing interest from various disciplines, including optoelectronics, thermoelectronics and piezoelectronics. In this work, we comprehensively study the electrical properties of the native point defects in Bi2O2Se, as an essential step toward understanding the fundamentals of this material. The defect landscapes dependent on both Fermi energy and the chemical potentials of atomic constituents are investigated. Along with the bulk defect analysis, a complementary inspection of the surface properties, within the simple context of charge neutrality level model, elucidates the observed n-type characteristics of Bi2O2Se based FETs. This work provides important guide to engineer the defects of Bi2O2Se for desired properties, which is key to the successful application of this emerging layered material27.
Rotating magnetocaloric effect and unusual magnetic features in metallic strongly anisotropic geometrically frustrated TmB4
Authors: Orendáč Matúš , Gabáni Slavomír , Gažo Emil , Pristáš Gabriel , Shitsevalova Natalya , Siemensmeyer Konrad , Flachbart Karol
Published: July 2018

We have investigated the rotating magnetocaloric effect (R-MCE) of TmB4 - an anisotropic magnetic system with geometrical frustration of Shastry-Sutherland type. The R-MCE was obtained from detailed temperature dependencies of heat capacity in various magnetic fields of a single crystalline sample for crystal axes orientations c || B and c ⊥ B. The received results exhibit rather complex distributions of positive and negative entropy ΔS(T, B) and temperature ΔT(T, B) differences below and above TN when the direction of the magnetic field changes between directions c || B and c ⊥ B. The calculated results were confirmed by direct R-MCE measurements which, moreover, show an interesting angular dependence of R-MCE in the ordered phase, which seems to be related with the change of the effective magnetic field along the c axis during sample rotation. Thus, our study presents a new type of magnetic refrigerant with a rather large R-MCE for low temperature magnetic refrigeration, and points to further interesting magnetic features in the ordered phase of this frustrated system.
Characterization of polyalphaolefins using halogen anion attachment in atmospheric pressure photoionization coupled with ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry
Authors: Mendes Siqueira Anna Luiza , Beaumesnil Mathieu , Hubert-Roux Marie , Loutelier-Bourhis Corinne , Afonso Carlos , Pondaven Simon , Bai Yang , Racaud Amandine
Published: July 2018

Polyalphaolefins are saturated alpha olefin oligomers efficiently ionized by APPI.
Continuous monitoring of adenosine and its metabolites using microdialysis coupled to microchip electrophoresis with amperometric detection
Authors: Gunawardhana Shamal M. , Lunte Susan M.
Published: July 2018

Reversibly sealed all-PDMS device with CF working electrode for continuous on-line analysis of microdialysis samples.
An AIE-based metallo-supramolecular assembly enabling an indicator displacement assay inside living cells
Authors: Tian Di , Li Fan , Zhu Zece , Zhang Lianbin , Zhu Jintao
Published: July 2018

We report a novel metallo-supramolecular assembly (Z/E-TPE2CyZn-PV), which consists of a tetraphenylethene (TPE)-based dinuclear Zn2+–cyclen complex and pyrocatechol violet (PV).
Design and synthesis of dopant-free organic hole-transport materials for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wang Linqin , Zhang Jinbao , Liu Peng , Xu Bo , Zhang Biaobiao , Chen Hong , Inge A. Ken , Li Yuanyuan , Wang Haoxin , Cheng Yi-Bing , Kloo Lars , Sun Licheng
Published: July 2018

Two novel dopant-free hole-transport materials for perovskite solar cells with spiro[dibenzo[c,h]xanthene-7,9′-fluorene] skeletons were prepared via facile synthesis routes.
Light-up RNA aptamer enabled label-free protein detection via a proximity induced transcription assay
Authors: Ying Zhan-Ming , Xiao Hu-Yan , Tang Hao , Yu Ru-Qin , Jiang Jian-Hui
Published: July 2018

A novel proximity induced transcription assay for highly sensitive protein detection based on protein mediated ligation of a DNA template with the transcription of a light-up RNA aptamer for signal amplification has been developed.
Unexpected reactivity of cyclic perfluorinated iodanes with electrophiles
Authors: Gruber Stefan , Ametamey Simon M. , Schibli Roger
Published: July 2018

New concept of reactivity umpolung: perfluorinated compounds can be prepared by reacting perfluorinated iodanes (considered as electrophilic reagents) with electrophiles.
Boosting the oxygen evolution reaction performance of CoS2 microspheres by subtle ionic liquid modification
Authors: Ji Siyuan , Li Tongtong , Gao Zhi-Da , Song Yan-Yan , Xu Jing-Juan
Published: July 2018

Owing to the hydrophobic environment and electrostatic affinity generated at the CoS2/electrolyte interface, the OER performance of CoS2 microspheres is boosted by IL modification.
The CF3-DAST-induced deacylative trifluoromethylthiolation of cyclic 1,3-diketones/lactams/lactones and its extension to deacylative pentafluorophenylthiolation
Authors: Saidalimu Ibrayim , Yoshioka Takuya , Liang Yumeng , Tokunaga Etsuko , Shibata Norio
Published: July 2018

CF3-DAST-induced deacylative trifluoromethylthiolation of cyclic 1,3-diketones lactams, and lactones that provides cyclic trifluoromethylthioketones, lactams and lactones is reported.
Lead free halide perovskite Cs3Bi2I9 bulk crystals grown by a low temperature solution method
Authors: Zhang Hongjian , Xu Yadong , Sun Qihao , Dong Jiangpeng , Lu Yufei , Zhang Binbin , Jie Wanqi
Published: July 2018

Cs3Bi2I9 single crystals grown by a low temperature solution method.
A facile route to the controlled synthesis of β-NaLuF4:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm, Tm, Ho) phosphors and their tunable luminescence properties
Authors: Yang Junfeng , Song Lina , Wang Xiaoxue , Luo Nan , Wu Hongyue , Gan Shucai , Zou Lianchun
Published: July 2018

Highly uniform and monodisperse β-NaLuF4:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm, Tm, Ho) hexagonal prisms have been synthesized via a facile two-step hydrothermal method without any organic surfactants.
Magnetic field dependent steady-state shear response of Fe3O4 micro-octahedron based magnetorheological fluids
Authors: Anupama A. V. , Khopkar V. B. , Kumaran V. , Sahoo B.
Published: July 2018

The magneto-rheological behaviour of fluids containing soft-ferrimagnetic Fe3O4 micro-octahedrons (M = magnetization, τY = dynamic yield-stress and H = applied-magnetic-field).
Molecular dynamics simulations of mono-tethered particles at solid surfaces
Authors: Staszewski Tomasz , Borówko Małgorzata
Published: July 2018

We use molecular dynamics simulations to study the behavior of mono-tethered nanoparticles on solid surfaces.
Water dissociation on K2O-pre-adsorbed transition metals: a systematic theoretical study
Authors: Wang Yan-Xin , Wang Gui-Chang
Published: July 2018

The K2O-induced promotion effect depends on the binding strength of K2O in which both O and K act as the promoter.
Hydrogenation of CO2 into hydrocarbons: enhanced catalytic activity over Fe-based Fischer–Tropsch catalysts
Authors: Jiang Feng , Liu Bing , Geng Shunshun , Xu Yuebing , Liu Xiaohao
Published: July 2018

The conversion efficiency of CO2 in CO2-FTS over Fe-based catalysts is significantly enhanced by driving the conversion of the CO intermediate via the FTS reaction over a second kind of FT component, Co or Ru, without WGS activity.
Heterometallic Cu/Ln cluster chemistry: ferromagnetically-coupled {Cu4Ln2} complexes exhibiting single-molecule magnetism and magnetocaloric properties
Authors: Alexandropoulos Dimitris I. , Cunha-Silva Luis , Tang Jinkui , Stamatatos Theocharis C.
Published: July 2018

A new family of ferromagnetically-coupled {Cu4Ln2} complexes is reported. The compounds exhibit SMM and magnetocaloric properties.
An anionic iridium(iii) complex as a visible-light absorbing photosensitizer
Authors: Takizawa Shin-ya , Kano Ryoto , Ikuta Naoya , Murata Shigeru
Published: July 2018

A new anionic Ir(iii) photosensitizer bearing coumarin dyes has been developed and applied to the visible-light-driven hydrogen generation.
Solar absorber material and system designs for photothermal water vaporization towards clean water and energy production
Authors: Gao Minmin , Zhu Liangliang , Peh Connor Kangnuo , Ho Ghim Wei
Published: July 2018

This comprehensive review provides a guide to design photothermal materials and systems for solar-driven water evaporation addressing the water–energy nexus.
Factors associated with operational sustainability of rural water supplies in Cambodia
Authors: Foster Tim , Shantz Andrew , Lala Sunetra , Willetts Juliet
Published: July 2018

This study shows handpump technology and private ownership are significant predictors of operational performance of rural water supplies in Cambodia.
Real-time in situ dynamic sub-surface imaging of multi-component electrodeposited films using event mode neutron reflectivity
Authors: Hillman A. Robert , Barker Robert , Dalgliesh Robert M. , Ferreira Virginia C. , Palin Emma J. R. , Sapstead Rachel M. , Smith Emma L. , Steinke Nina-Juliane , Ryder Karl S. , Ballantyne Andrew D.
Published: July 2018

We investigate the deposition, evolution and dissolution of single and two-component metal layers on Au substrates immersed in the deep eutectic solvent Ethaline.
Understanding the thermal and dielectric response of organosolv and modified kraft lignin as a carbon fibre precursor
Authors: Culebras Mario , Sanchis Maria J. , Beaucamp Anne , Carsí Marta , Kandola Baljinder K. , Horrocks A. Richard , Panzetti Gianmarco , Birkinshaw Colin , Collins Maurice N.
Published: July 2018

Understanding the thermal behaviour of lignin is crucial in order to realise its valorisation as an engineering polymer.
Direct conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to biomimetic tendril-like functional carbon helices: a protein friendly host for cytochrome C
Authors: Aruchamy Kanakaraj , Bisht Meena , Venkatesu P. , Kalpana D. , M. R. Nidhi , Singh Nripat , Ghosh Debasis , Mondal Dibyendu , Nataraj Sanna Kotrappanavar
Published: July 2018

Tendril-like functional carbon helices (TLFCHs) was successfully prepared directly from Parthenium hysterophorus using a solvothermal method employing a deep eutectic solvent as both soft template and catalyst. TLFCHs showed significant potential as a host for an enzyme without compromising the catalytic activity.
Small molecule cores demonstrate non-competitive inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase
Authors: Andrews Brooke A. , Dyer R. Brian
Published: July 2018

Partial, non-competitive inhibitors for lactate dehydrogenase have been identified, with promising micromolarKivalues.
Double-shell SnO2/CeO2:Yb,Er hollow nanospheres as an assistant layer that suppresses charge recombination in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Zhao Rongfang , Tang Dongmei , Wu Qianhui , Li Wenlong , Zhang Xiue , Guo Rong , Chen Ming , Diao Guowang
Published: July 2018

When SnO2/CeO2:Yb,Er HNSs act as an assistant layer in dye-sensitized solar cells, the photoelectric conversion efficiency is enhanced to 8.66%.
Preparation of dual-functionalized graphene oxide for the improvement of the thermal stability and flame-retardant properties of polysiloxane foam
Authors: Xu Tianlu , Zhang Chunling , Li Peihong , Dai Xueyan , Qu Lijie , Sui Yanlong , Gu Jinjia , Dou Yanli
Published: July 2018

Polysiloxane foam (PSF) is a foam material with outstanding performance. However, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of pure PSF is only 22.0 vol%, which can be attributed to combustible materials.
Polysiloxane-based two-photon fluorescent elastomers with superior mechanical and self-healing properties and their application in bioimaging
Authors: Zuo Yujing , Zhang Yu , Yang Tingxin , Gou Zhiming , Lin Weiying
Published: July 2018

The first report of the synthesis of novel self-healing elastomers possessing a dynamic dual cross-linked network and exhibiting a unique two-photon fluorescence, which show potential for application in bioimaging.
Continuous reversible tuning of the gap size and plasmonic coupling of bow tie nanoantennas on flexible substrates
Authors: Laible Florian , Gollmer Dominik A. , Dickreuter Simon , Kern Dieter P. , Fleischer Monika
Published: July 2018

The strain sensitivity of individual nano-bow ties transferred to flexible substrates is shown by reversibly decreasing and increasing the plasmonic antenna coupling.
Discrete evolution of the crystal structure during the growth of Ba-hexaferrite nanoplatelets
Authors: Makovec D. , Belec B. , Goršak T. , Lisjak D. , Komelj M. , Dražić G. , Gyergyek S.
Published: July 2018

The thickness of Ba-hexaferrite nanoplatelets increases by adding SR segments to a primary SRS stack (S – a cubic (Fe6O8)2+block, R – a hexagonal (BaFe6O11)2−block).
Large magnetoelectric effects mediated by electric-field-driven nanoscale phase transformations in sputtered (nanoparticulate) and electrochemically dealloyed (nanoporous) Fe–Cu films
Authors: Robbennolt Shauna , Quintana Alberto , Pellicer Eva , Sort Jordi
Published: July 2018

Large magnetoelectric effects are observed in as-sputtered (nanoparticulate-like) and electrochemically dealloyed (nanoporous) 200 nm thick Fe–Cu films.
Enabling the synthesis of homogeneous or Janus hairy nanoparticles through surface photoactivation
Authors: Razza Nicolò , Rizza Giancarlo , Coulon Pierre-Eugène , Didier Lairez , Fadda Giulia C. , Voit Brigitte , Synytska Alla , Grützmacher Hansjörg , Sangermano Marco
Published: July 2018

Hairy nanoparticles with either uniform or Janus-like polymer surfaces are generated via light induced-polymerization initiated from the surface.
Functionalized gold and persistent luminescence nanoparticle-based ratiometric absorption and TR-FRET nanoplatform for high-throughput sequential detection of l-cysteine and insulin
Authors: Li Juan , Yang Cheng , Wang Wen-Long , Yan Xiu-Ping
Published: July 2018

Functionalized gold and persistent luminescence nanoparticle-based ratiometric absorption and TR-FRET nanoplatform demonstrates new methodology for the sequential detection of l-cysteine and insulin.
Motivating visible light photocatalytic activity of ultrathin Bi2O2(OH)xCl2−x solid solution with exposed {001} facets by the co-effect of oxygen vacancy and OH replacement
Authors: Wu Xiaoyong , Li Kaiqi , Li Yuan , Zhang Gaoke
Published: July 2018

The visible light photocatalytic activity of an ultrathin Bi2O2(OH)xCl2−x solid solution with an exposed {001} facet was boosted by adjusting the concentrations of oxygen vacancy and OH in it.
SnS2/TiO2 nanohybrids chemically bonded on nitrogen-doped graphene for lithium–sulfur batteries: synergy of vacancy defects and heterostructures
Authors: Li Xuecheng , Guo Guanlun , Qin Ning , Deng Zhao , Lu Zhouguang , Shen Dong , Zhao Xu , Li Yu , Su Bao-Lian , Wang Hong-En
Published: July 2018

Few-layer, sulfur-deficient SnS2 sheets and TiO2 nanocrystals grown on N-doped graphene serve as an efficient polysulfide mediator.
Graphite-based selectorless RRAM: improvable intrinsic nonlinearity for array applications
Authors: Chen Ying-Chen , Hu Szu-Tung , Lin Chih-Yang , Fowler Burt , Huang Hui-Chun , Lin Chao-Cheng , Kim Sungjun , Chang Yao-Feng , Lee Jack C.
Published: July 2018

Selectorless graphite-based resistive random-access memory (RRAM) has been demonstrated by utilizing the intrinsic nonlinear resistive switching (RS) characteristics, without an additional selector or transistor for low-power RRAM array application.
Regulating glutathione-responsiveness of naphthalimide-based fluorescent probes by an oxidation strategy
Authors: Liu Guotao , Chen Weijie , Xu Zhiqiang , Ye Fengying , Pan Yingle , Chen Xiaoqiang , Liu Sheng Hua , Zeng Lintao , Yin Jun
Published: July 2018

Naphthalimide-based probes with the different oxidation state of sulphur atom can be utilized to regulate the responsiveness of probes towards glutathione.
Thermoresponsive luminescence properties of polyfluorinated bistolane-type light-emitting liquid crystals
Authors: Yamada Shigeyuki , Morita Masato , Agou Tomohiro , Kubota Toshio , Ichikawa Takahiro , Konno Tsutomu
Published: July 2018

Thermoresponsive luminescent materials based on polyfluorinated bistolanes were developed and were found to show reversible PL switching by applying a thermal stimulus.
Two-step activity-based protein profiling of diacylglycerol lipase
Authors: van Rooden Eva J. , Kreekel Roy , Hansen Thomas , Janssen Antonius P. A. , van Esbroeck Annelot C. M. , den Dulk Hans , van den Berg Richard J. B. H. N. , Codée Jeroen D. C. , van der Stelt Mario
Published: July 2018

Diacylglycerol lipases (DAGL) produce the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol, a key modulator of neurotransmitter release.
Design and fabrication of vapor-induced superhydrophobic surfaces obtained from polyethylene wax and silica nanoparticles in hierarchical structures
Authors: Guan Yong , Yu Chenchen , Zhu Jiawen , Yang Rui , Li Xiang , Wei Dafu , Xu Xiang
Published: July 2018

Fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces based on PEW and SiO2 though a vapor-induced method.
Long chain ionic liquid-assisted synthesis of PS/Pd beads and hierarchical porous Pd–SiO2
Authors: Wang Tianlong , Fu Ting , Meng Yuting , Shen Jing , Wang Tongwen
Published: July 2018

1-Hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C16mimCl) can be used as “bridges” to prepare PS/C16mimCl/Pd beads, and Pd-loaded hierarchical porous silica was synthesized using dual templates of the PS/C16mimCl/Pd beads and C16mimCl.
Transesterification of (hetero)aryl esters with phenols by an Earth-abundant metal catalyst
Authors: Chen Jianxia , Namila E. , Bai Chaolumen , Baiyin Menghe , Agula Bao , Bao Yong-Sheng
Published: July 2018

Readily available and inexpensive Earth-abundant alkali metal species are used as efficient catalysts for the transesterification of aryl or heteroaryl esters with phenols which is a challenging and underdeveloped transformation.
Influence of experimental parameters on the side reactions of hydrosilylation of allyl polyethers studied by a fractional factorial design
Authors: Bouvet-Marchand A. , Chatard C. , Graillot A. , Boutevin G. , Loubat C. , Grosso D.
Published: July 2018

Comprehensive study of the hydrosilylation of allyl polyethers using the methodology of a design of experiments.
A versatile, immobilized gold catalyst for the reductive amination of aldehydes in batch and flow
Authors: Carrillo Adela I. , Llanes Patricia , Pericàs Miquel A.
Published: July 2018

A process for the reductive amination of aldehydes in continuous flow catalyzed by gold nanoparticles immobilized onto mesoporous silica has been developed.
Exploring a new ligand binding site of G protein-coupled receptors
Authors: Chan H. C. Stephen , Wang Jingjing , Palczewski Krzysztof , Filipek Slawomir , Vogel Horst , Liu Zhi-Jie , Yuan Shuguang
Published: July 2018

A new binding pocket of the endogenous ligand has been discovered by MD simulations.
Machine learning meets volcano plots: computational discovery of cross-coupling catalysts
Authors: Meyer Benjamin , Sawatlon Boodsarin , Heinen Stefan , von Lilienfeld O. Anatole , Corminboeuf Clémence
Published: July 2018

The application of modern machine learning to challenges in atomistic simulation is gaining attraction.
Supramolecular helical nanostructures from self-assembly of coil–rod–coil amphiphilic molecules incorporating the dianthranide unit
Authors: Yu Shengsheng , Sun Rui , Chen Tie , Jin Long Yi
Published: July 2018

Coil–rod–coil amphiphilic molecules self-assemble in aqueous solution to form temperature-sensitive clew-like and temperature-insensitive nanodisk-like aggregates comprising helical nanofibers.
Monolayer-like hybrid halide perovskite films prepared by additive engineering without antisolvents for solar cells
Authors: Wang Mengru , Li Bo , Siffalovic Peter , Chen Lung-Chien , Cao Guozhong , Tian Jianjun
Published: July 2018

Searching for a simple method to replace the conventional antisolvent process with the objective of achieving a high-quality perovskite film is indispensable for the practical manufacture of solar cells.
Rationally designed microspheres consisting of yolk–shell structured FeSe2–Fe2O3 nanospheres covered with graphitic carbon for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Yoo Yongju , Hong Young Jun , Kang Yun Chan
Published: July 2018

A new type of nanostructured material that combines the advantages of metal oxides, metal selenides, and graphitic carbon (GC) as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries is studied.
Reducing the confinement of PBDB-T to ITIC to improve the crystallinity of PBDB-T/ITIC blends
Authors: Liang Qiuju , Han Jie , Song Chunpeng , Yu Xinhong , Smilgies Detlef-M. , Zhao Kui , Liu Jiangang , Han Yanchun
Published: July 2018

The ordered aggregation of non-fullerene small molecular acceptors (SMAs) plays a key role in determining the charge transport and bimolecular recombination in polymer/SMA solar cells.
Phenanthriplatin(iv) conjugated multifunctional up-converting nanoparticles for drug delivery and biomedical imaging
Authors: Teng Bo , Han Yanqiu , Zhang Xinyang , Xiao Haihua , Yu Chang , Li HeJie , Cheng Ziyong , Jin Dayong , Wong Ka-Leung , Ma Ping’an , Lin Jun
Published: July 2018

Platinum-based drugs cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin are widely used in the clinical treatment of cancer.
Platinum nanoworms for imaging-guided combined cancer therapy in the second near-infrared window
Authors: Ma Qingxi , Cheng Liang , Gong Fei , Dong Ziliang , Liang Chao , Wang Mengyun , Feng Liangzhu , Li Yonggang , Liu Zhuang , Li Can , He Lin
Published: July 2018

Cancer imaging and therapy in the second near-infrared (NIR II) window have gained increasing interest owing to the high light penetration depth and minimal optical scattering in the NIR II region (1000–1350 nm).
Recent advances in organic sensors for health self-monitoring systems
Authors: Lee Yoon Ho , Kweon O. Young , Kim Hongki , Yoo Jong Heun , Han Seul Gi , Oh Joon Hak
Published: July 2018

This review describes the development status of organic sensors for health-monitoring systems and the strategies to enhance their performance.
Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 inhibition attenuates human airway smooth muscle growth and migration in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Eapen Mathew S. , Kota Anudeep , Vindin Howard , McAlinden Kielan D. , Xenaki Dia , Oliver Brian G. , Deshpande Deepak A. , Sohal Sukhwinder Singh , Sharma Pawan
Published: July 2018

Increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass is observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is correlated with disease severity and negatively affects lung function in these patients. Thus, there is clear unmet clinical need for finding new therapies which can target airway remodeling and disease progression in COPD. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a ubiquitously expressed mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase (MAP3K) activated by various stress stimuli, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and is known to regulate cell proliferation. ASM cells from COPD patients are hyperproliferative to mitogens in vitro. However, the role of ASK1 in ASM growth is not established. Here, we aim to determine the effects of ASK1 inhibition on ASM growth and pro-mitogenic signaling using ASM cells from COPD patients. We found greater expression of ASK1 in ASM bundles of COPD lung when compared with non-COPD. Pre-treatment of ASM cells with highly selective ASK1 inhibitor, TC ASK 10 resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in mitogen (FBS, PDGF, and EGF; 72 h)-induced ASM growth as measured by CyQUANT assay. Further, molecular targetting of ASK1 using siRNA in ASM cells prevented mitogen-induced cell growth. In addition, to anti-mitogenic potential, ASK1 inhibitor also prevented TGFβ1-induced migration of ASM cells in vitro. Immunoblotting revealed that anti-mitogenic effects are mediated by C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38MAP kinase-signaling pathways as evident by reduced phosphorylation of downstream effectors JNK1/2 and p38MAP kinases, respectively, with no effect on extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 (ERK1/2). Collectively, these findings establish the anti-mitogenic effect of ASK1 inhibition and identify a novel pathway that can be targetted to reduce or prevent excessive ASM mass in COPD.
Dynamic oxygen and coupled biological and ecological innovation during the second wave of the Ediacara Biota
Authors: Evans Scott D. , Diamond Charles W. , Droser Mary L. , Lyons Timothy W.
Published: July 2018

Animal life on Earth is generally accepted to have risen during a period of increasingly well-oxygenated conditions, but direct evidence for that relationship has previously eluded scientists. This gap reflects both the enigmatic nature of the early animal fossil record and the coarse temporal resolution of Precambrian environmental change. Here, we combine paleontological data from the Ediacara Biota, the earliest fossil animals, with geochemical evidence for fluctuating redox conditions. Using morphological and ecological novelties that broadly reflect oxygen demand, we show that the appearance of abundant oxygen-demanding organisms within the Ediacara Biota corresponds with a period of elevated global oxygen concentrations. This correlation suggests that a putative rise in oxygen levels may have provided the necessary environments for the diversification of complex body plans and energetically demanding ecologies. The potential loss of organisms with relatively high oxygen requirements in the latest Ediacaran coupled with an apparent return to low oxygen concentrations further supports the availability of oxygen as a control on early animal evolution. While the advent of animal life was probably the product of a variety of factors, the recognition of a possible connection between changing environmental conditions and the diversification of animal morphologies suggests that the availability of oxygen played a significant role in the evolution of animals on Earth.
Dating the late Proterozoic stratigraphic record
Authors: Halverson Galen P. , Porter Susannah M. , Gibson Timothy M.
Published: July 2018

The Tonian and Cryogenian periods (ca. 1000–635.5 Ma) witnessed important biological and climatic events, including diversification of eukaryotes, the rise of algae as primary producers, the origin of Metazoa, and a pair of Snowball Earth glaciations. The Tonian and Cryogenian will also be the next periods in the geological time scale to be formally defined. Time-calibrating this interval is essential for properly ordering and interpreting these events and establishing and testing hypotheses for paleoenvironmental change. Here, we briefly review the methods by which the Proterozoic time scale is dated and provide an up-to-date compilation of age constraints on key fossil first and last appearances, geological events, and horizons during the Tonian and Cryogenian periods. We also develop a new age model for a ca. 819–740 Ma composite section in Svalbard, which is unusually complete and contains a rich Tonian fossil archive. This model provides useful preliminary age estimates for the Tonian succession in Svalbard and distinct carbon isotope anomalies that can be globally correlated and used as an indirect dating tool.
Low‐temperature deposition of polycrystalline germanium on silicon by magnetron sputtering
Authors: Korivi N. , Nujhat N. , Ahmed S. , Jiang L. , Das K.
Published: July 2018

A new method is reported to grow polycrystalline germanium (Ge) on silicon (Si) at low temperatures by direct current magnetron sputtering. The method is based on first sputtering a nanometre scale thickness Si layer on a Si substrate, followed by sputtering a Ge layer of the desired thickness. Using this approach, polycrystalline Ge has been deposited on Si substrate at 300°C, the lowest reported process temperature for polycrystalline Ge on Si by sputter coating. Characterisation by X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy showed polycrystalline Ge in the presence of a Si interfacial layer. In the absence of the interfacial Si layer, amorphous Ge was obtained under the same process conditions. These observations indicate that depositing a Si interfacial layer helps in improving the Ge film quality in low‐temperature deposition conditions. The approach developed here makes it possible to achieve post‐CMOS integration in applications that have low thermal budget, such as flexible electronics based on Si/Ge devices. The increased process flexibility offered by this method is also expected to enable new applications.
Fine‐grained recognition of maritime vessels and land vehicles by deep feature embedding
Authors: Solmaz Berkan , Gundogdu Erhan , Yucesoy Veysel , Koç Aykut , Alatan Abdullah Aydin
Published: July 2018

Recent advances in large‐scale image and video analysis have empowered the potential capabilities of visual surveillance systems. In particular, deep learning‐based approaches bring in substantial benefits in solving certain computer vision problems such as fine‐grained object recognition. Here, the authors mainly concentrate on classification and identification of maritime vessels and land vehicles, which are the key constituents of visual surveillance systems. Employing publicly available data sets for maritime vessels and land vehicles, the authors aim to improve visual recognition. Specifically, the authors focus on five tasks regarding visual recognition; coarse‐grained classification, fine‐grained classification, coarse‐grained retrieval, fine‐grained retrieval, and verification. To increase the performance in these tasks, the authors utilise a multi‐task learning framework and present a novel loss function which simultaneously considers deep feature learning and classification by exploiting the available hierarchical labels of individual samples and the global statistics of distances between the data pairs. The authors observe that the proposed multi‐task learning model improves the fine‐grained recognition performance on MARVEL and Stanford Cars data sets, compared to training of a model targeting a single recognition task.
Deep residual network with regularised fisher framework for detection of melanoma
Authors: Sultana Nazneen N. , Mandal Bappaditya , Puhan N.B.
Published: July 2018

Of all the skin cancer that is prevalent, melanoma has the highest mortality rates. Melanoma becomes life threatening when it penetrates deep into the dermis layer unless detected at an early stage, it becomes fatal since it has a tendency to migrate to other parts of our body. This study presents an automated non‐invasive methodology to assist the clinicians and dermatologists for detection of melanoma. Unlike conventional computational methods which require (expensive) domain expertise for segmentation and hand crafted feature computation and/or selection, a deep convolutional neural network‐based regularised discriminant learning framework which extracts low‐dimensional discriminative features for melanoma detection is proposed. Their approach minimises the whole of within‐class variance information and maximises the total class variance information. The importance of various subspaces arising in the within‐class scatter matrix followed by dimensionality reduction using total class variance information is analysed for melanoma detection. Experimental results on ISBI 2016, MED‐NODE, PH2 and the recent ISBI 2017 databases show the efficacy of their proposed approach as compared to other state‐of‐the‐art methodologies.
Automated skin lesion segmentation of dermoscopic images using GrabCut and k‐means algorithms
Authors: Jaisakthi Seetharani Murugaiyan , Mirunalini Palaniappan , Aravindan Chandrabose
Published: July 2018

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world and the incidents of skin cancer have been rising over the past decade. Even with a dermoscopic imaging system, which magnifies the lesion region, detecting and classifying skin lesions by visual examination is laborious due to the complex structures of the lesions. This necessitates the need for an automated skin lesion diagnosis system to enhance the diagnostic capability of dermatologists. In this study, the authors propose an automatic skin lesion segmentation method which can be used as a preliminary step for lesion classification. The proposed method comprises two major steps, namely preprocessing and segmentation. In the preprocessing step, noise such as illumination, hair and rulers are removed using filtering techniques and in the segmentation phase, skin lesions are segmented using the GrabCut segmentation algorithm. The k‐means clustering algorithm is then used along with the colour features learnt from the training images to improve the boundaries of the segments. To evaluate the authors’ proposed method, they have used ISIC 2017 challenge dataset and dataset. They have obtained Dice coefficient values of 0.8236 and 0.9139 for ISIC 2017 test dataset and dataset, respectively.
Polymer‐assisted deposition of perovskite dielectric oxide thin films
Authors: Lin Yuan , Gao Min
Published: July 2018

Perovskite dielectric oxide thin films are tremendously important because of their promising applications in microelectronics and optic‐electronic devices. Towards scalable applications of these materials, the development of well‐controlled and cost‐effective fabrication techniques is still under development. Here, recent progresses in the fabrication of perovskite dielectric oxide thin films by using a generic chemical solution deposition technique named polymer‐assisted deposition (PAD) are reviewed. In this technique, metal ions are bonded to water‐soluble polymers, forming stable and homogeneous precursor solutions of metallic ions surrounded by polymers which prevent hydrolysis of metal ions. Fabrication of the perovskite dielectric oxide thin films using the PAD technique, both on single crystal substrates and base metallic substrates, has been realised with good controllability. The qualities of the films are comparable with those of the ones prepared by physical‐vapour deposition techniques.
Hierarchical porous N,O Co‐doped carbon/Se composite derived from hydrothermal treated chitosan as Li–Se battery cathode
Authors: Zhao Chenhao , Luo Jiangshui , Hu Zhibiao
Published: July 2018

Seeking for the porous carbon with suitable structure and morphology has been a key to improve the lithium storage performance of carbon/selenium composite. In this work, the hierarchical porous N,O Co‐doped carbon has been prepared by an initial hydrothermal carbonisation and subsequent activation route using the chitosan as raw material. The carbon obtained at 600°C possessing primary micropores and surface macropores presents high specific surface area (809. 3 m2 g−1) and low porous size, and the selenium with amorphous structure is uniformly encapsulated into the micropores of this carbon to form carbon/selenium composite. As the cathode materials of lithium ion battery, this composite delivers a discharge capacity of 446.9 mAh g−1 at rate of 0.24 C after 100 cycles. At a high rate of 4.8 C, this composite still shows a stable discharge capacity of 342.8 mAh g−1. These results suggest that this composite may be promising for practical applications for lithium‐selenium battery.
Synthesis of columnar‐shaped CeO2 and electrochemical sensor for detecting phenol
Authors: Xiao Xin , Wang YiHui , Zhang DongEn , Gong JunYan , Zhang Ying , Ma JuanJuan , Yang Tao , Tong ZhiWei
Published: July 2018

Highly uniform columnar‐shaped CeO2 was successfully prepared in large quantities by calcining a precursor, which was prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. The structure and morphology of the precursor and the columnar CeO2 were characterised by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The columnar CeO2 was fixed on a glassy carbon electrode to obtain a columnar CeO2 sensor for detection of phenol. The anodic peak current was proportional to the phenol concentration in the range of 0.005–0.225 mmol l−1 (R = 0.995) and 0.225–1.125 mmol l−1 (R = 0.998) with the detection limit of 0.9 μmol l−1. This electrochemical method has the advantages of simplicity and ease of fabrication, rapid detection, low cost of the apparatus and wide dynamic ranges.
Effect of sintering temperature on phase transformation and luminescence property of BaAl2Si2O8 :Eu2+ phosphor
Authors: Ma Mingxing , Wang Zhixin , Liang Cun , Zhao Cong , Zhu Dachuan , Han Tao
Published: July 2018

Sintered at different sintering temperatures, Eu2+ doped BaAl2Si2O8 phosphors were synthesised through one‐step calcination process of precursors prepared by chemical coprecipitation method. Thermal gravity‐differential thermal analysis was used to investigate the initial temperature of phase transition and the optimal sintering temperature of the sample synthesis. The X‐ray diffraction patterns confirmed that the sample calcined at 1200°C possessed a single hexagonal phase of BaAl2Si2O8. Although a little BaAl2Si2O8 phase had been produced, BaAl2O4 phase was dominant in the sample calcined at 1000°C. The morphology of the sample observed by scanning electron microscope showed smooth surfaces and nearly spherical shapes at higher sintering temperature. The emission spectrum of the sample calcined at 1000°C was separated into three Gaussians with the maximum at about 455, 501 and 540 nm, due to the 4f7 →4f6 5d transitions of Eu2+ ions occupying the Ba site of BaAl2Si2O8 and the Ba(1) and Ba(2) site of BaAl2O4, respectively. With the increase of sintering temperature, BaAl2Si2O8 :Eu2+ phosphor exhibited a blue broad emission band peaking at 455 nm with full width at half maximum about 90 nm under near‐ultraviolet excitation at ∼400 nm, and its emission intensity increased considerably due to the improved crystalline and homogeneous distribution of Eu2+ ions.
Ni–W–S nanoparticles in‐situ synthesised on Ti mesh for electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose
Authors: Zhao Hui , Miao Yuqing
Published: July 2018

The Ni–W–S nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesised on Ti mesh through the typical hydrothermal method. The obtained Ti/Ni–W–S was characterised on morphology, composition and electrocatalytic property. It showed good electrocatalytic performance towards glucose oxidation in strong alkali electrolyte, exhibiting the potential application in the field of fuel cell. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of Ni–W–S NPs, the favourable electron transfer between electrode and catalysts, as well as the high conductivity of Ti contributed to its final catalytic performance of Ti/Ni–W–S.
Development of in‐flow label‐free single molecule sensors using planar solid‐state nanopore integrated microfluidic devices
Authors: Güzel Fatma D. , Miles Benjamin
Published: July 2018

Nanopore biosensors have attracted attention due to their label‐free single molecule detection capability. To date, different materials and applications have been shown in the field, varying from Si3N4 to graphene and biomolecule sensing to DNA sequencing. Classical nanopore devices are composed of Si3N4 material supported on a Si wafer and the detection is largely based on electrochemical sensing using chambers of ml volumes on both sides of the nanopore device. In this study, in‐flow label‐free electrochemical detection of DNA molecules at single molecule level is shown using a classical Si3N4 nanopore device integrated into a microfluidic device. The layout of the device given here set the basics for future works and discussions regarding future microfluidic integrated solid‐state nanopores and the behaviour of the molecule under the influence of hydrodynamic flow.
Synthesis of flower‐like CeO2/BiOCl heterostructures with enhanced ultraviolet light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Chen Tao , Ma Rui , Du Jifu , Xie Cong
Published: July 2018

Flower‐like CeO2/bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) heterostructures were successfully prepared by a simple two‐step solvothermal/hydrothermal method. The prepared materials were characterised via powder X‐ray diffraction measurements, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet–vis diffuse reflectance spectra. Photocatalytic activities of the materials in the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) were studied. The results showed that all of the materials were successfully prepared. In particular, the BiOCl looks like a cluster of chestnut balls and the CeO2/BiOCl composite showing a flower‐like morphology. Compared with the pure BiOCl or CeO2, the CeO2/BiOCl composite showed higher photocatalytic activity for degradation of RhB in aqueous solution under ultraviolet light irradiation.