bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strain induced fragility transition in metallic glass
Authors: Yu Hai-Bin , Richert Ranko , Maaß Robert , Samwer Konrad
Published: May 2015

Relaxation dynamics are the central topic in glassy physics. Recently, there is an emerging view that mechanical strain plays a similar role as temperature in altering the relaxation dynamics. Here, we report that mechanical strain in a model metallic glass modulates the relaxation dynamics in unexpected ways. We find that a large strain amplitude makes a fragile liquid become stronger, reduces dynamical heterogeneity at the glass transition and broadens the loss spectra asymmetrically, in addition to speeding up the relaxation dynamics. These findings demonstrate the distinctive roles of strain compared with temperature on the relaxation dynamics and indicate that dynamical heterogeneity inherently relates to the fragility of glass-forming materials.
Comparative effect of intraduodenal and intrajejunal glucose infusion on the gut–incretin axis response in healthy males
Authors: Wu T , Thazhath S S , Marathe C S , Bound M J , Jones K L , Horowitz M , Rayner C K
Published: May 2015

The region of enteral nutrient exposure may be an important determinant of postprandial incretin hormone secretion and blood glucose homoeostasis. We compared responses of plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), insulin and glucagon, and blood glucose to a standardised glucose infusion into the proximal jejunum and duodenum in healthy humans. Ten healthy males were evaluated during a standardised glucose infusion (2 kcal min−1 over 120 min) into the proximal jejunum (50 cm post pylorus) and were compared with another 10 healthy males matched for ethnicity, age and body mass index who received an identical glucose infusion into the duodenum (12 cm post pylorus). Blood was sampled frequently for measurements of blood glucose and plasma hormones. Plasma GLP-1, GIP and insulin responses, as well as the insulin:glucose ratio and the insulinogenic index 1 (IGI1) were greater (P<0.05 for each) after intrajejunal (i.j.) than intraduodenal glucose infusion, without a significant difference in blood glucose or plasma glucagon. Pooled analyses revealed direct relationships between IGI1 and the responses of GLP-1 and GIP (r=0.48 and 0.56, respectively, P<0.05 each), and between glucagon and GLP-1 (r=0.70, P<0.001). In conclusion, i.j. glucose elicits greater incretin hormone and insulin secretion than intraduodenal glucose in healthy humans, suggesting regional specificity of the gut–incretin axis.
Optogenetic control of nerve growth
Authors: Park Seongjun , Koppes Ryan A. , Froriep Ulrich P. , Jia Xiaoting , Achyuta Anil Kumar H. , McLaughlin Bryan L. , Anikeeva Polina
Published: May 2015

Due to the limited regenerative ability of neural tissue, a diverse set of biochemical and biophysical cues for increasing nerve growth has been investigated, including neurotrophic factors, topography and electrical stimulation. In this report, we explore optogenetic control of neurite growth as a cell-specific alternative to electrical stimulation. By investigating a broad range of optical stimulation parameters on dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) expressing channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2), we identified conditions that enhance neurite outgrowth by three-fold as compared to unstimulated or wild-type (WT) controls. Furthermore, optogenetic stimulation of ChR2 expressing DRGs induces directional outgrowth in WT DRGs co-cultured within a 10 mm vicinity of the optically sensitive ganglia. This observed enhancement and polarization of neurite growth was accompanied by an increased expression of neural growth and brain derived neurotrophic factors (NGF, BDNF). This work highlights the potential for implementing optogenetics to drive nerve growth in specific cell populations.
A Multiplexed Device Based on Tunable Nanoshearing for Specific Detection of Multiple Protein Biomarkers in Serum
Authors: Vaidyanathan Ramanathan , van Leeuwen Lara Michelle , Rauf Sakandar , Shiddiky Muhammad J. A. , Trau Matt
Published: May 2015

Microfluidic flow based multiplexed devices have gained significant promise in detecting biomarkers in complex biological samples. However, to fully exploit their use in bioanalysis, issues such as (i) low sensitivity and (ii) high levels of nonspecific adsorption of non-target species have to be overcome. Herein, we describe a new multiplexed device for the sensitive detection of multiple protein biomarkers in serum by using an alternating current (ac) electrohydrodynamics (ac-EHD) induced surface shear forces based phenomenon referred to as nanoshearing. The tunable nature (via manipulation of ac field) of these nanoshearing forces can alter the capture performance of the device (e.g., improved fluid transport enhances number of sensor-target collisions). This can also selectively displace weakly (nonspecifically) bound molecules from the electrode surface (i.e., fluid shear forces can be tuned to shear away nonspecific species present in biological samples). Using this approach, we achieved sensitive (100 fg mL−1) naked eye detection of multiple protein targets spiked in human serum and a 1000-fold enhancement in comparison to hydrodynamic flow based devices for biomarker detection. We believe that this approach could potentially represent a clinical diagnostic tool that can be integrated into resource-limited settings for sensitive detection of target biomarkers using naked eye.
Phylogeography of Nanorana parkeri (Anura: Ranidae) and multiple refugia on the Tibetan Plateau revealed by mitochondrial and nuclear DNA
Authors: Liu Jun , Wang Cuimin , Fu Dongli , Hu Xiaoju , Xie Xiangmo , Liu Pengfei , Zhang Qiong , Li Meng-Hua
Published: May 2015

Quaternary climatic changes have been recognized to influence the distribution patterns and evolutionary histories of extant organisms, but their effects on alpine species are not well understood. To investigate the Pleistocene climatic oscillations on the genetic structure of amphibians, we sequenced one mitochondrial and three nuclear DNA fragments in Nanorana parkeri, a frog endemic to the Tibetan Plateau, across its distribution range in the southern plateau. Mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) and three nuclear genes (c-Myc2, Rhod and Tyr) revealed two distinct lineages (i.e. the lineages East and West), which were strongly geographically structured. The split of the two divergent lineages was dated back earlier than the Middle Pleistocene, probably being associated with climatic and ecological factors. Species distribution modeling, together with the phylogeographic structuring, supported the hypothesis of multiple refugia for N. parkeri on the Tibetan Plateau during the Pleistocene glaciations and suggested the Yarlung Zangbo valley and the Kyichu catchment to be the potential refugia. Our findings indicate that Pleistocene climatic changes have had a great impact on the evolution and demographic history of N. parkeri. Our study has important implications for conservation of this and other frog species in the Tibetan Plateau.
Single-cell Migration Chip for Chemotaxis-based Microfluidic Selection of Heterogeneous Cell Populations
Authors: Chen Yu-Chih , Allen Steven G. , Ingram Patrick N. , Buckanovich Ronald , Merajver Sofia D. , Yoon Euisik
Published: May 2015

Tumor cell migration toward and intravasation into capillaries is an early and key event in cancer metastasis, yet not all cancer cells are imbued with the same capability to do so. This heterogeneity within a tumor is a fundamental property of cancer. Tools to help us understand what molecular characteristics allow a certain subpopulation of cells to spread from the primary tumor are thus critical for overcoming metastasis. Conventional in vitro migration platforms treat populations in aggregate, which leads to a masking of intrinsic differences among cells. Some migration assays reported recently have single-cell resolution, but these platforms do not provide for selective retrieval of the distinct migrating and non-migrating cell populations for further analysis. Thus, to study the intrinsic differences in cells responsible for chemotactic heterogeneity, we developed a single-cell migration platform so that individual cells’ migration behavior can be studied and the heterogeneous population sorted based upon chemotactic phenotype. Furthermore, after migration, the highly chemotactic and non-chemotactic cells were retrieved and proved viable for later molecular analysis of their differences. Moreover, we modified the migration channel to resemble lymphatic capillaries to better understand how certain cancer cells are able to move through geometrically confining spaces.
Anomalous Spectral Features of a Neutral Bilayer Graphene
Authors: Cheng C.-M. , Xie L.F. , Pachoud A. , Moser H.O. , Chen W. , Wee A.T.S. , Castro Neto A.H. , Tsuei K.-D. , Özyilmaz B.
Published: May 2015

Graphene and its bilayer are two-dimensional systems predicted to show exciting many-body effects near the neutrality point. The ideal tool to investigate spectrum reconstruction effects is angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) as it probes directly the band structure with information about both energy and momentum. Here we reveal, by studying undoped exfoliated bilayer graphene with ARPES, two essential aspects of its many-body physics: the electron-phonon scattering rate has an anisotropic k-dependence and the type of electronic liquid is non-Fermi liquid. The latter behavior is evident from an observed electron-electron scattering rate that scales linearly with energy from 100 meV to 600 meV and that is associated with the proximity of bilayer graphene to a two-dimensional quantum critical point of competing orders.
Propagation of pure fetal and maternal mesenchymal stromal cells from terminal chorionic villi of human term placenta
Authors: Mathews Smitha , Lakshmi Rao K. , Suma Prasad K. , Kanakavalli M. K. , Govardhana Reddy A. , Avinash Raj T. , Thangaraj Kumarasamy , Pande Gopal
Published: May 2015

Long term propagation of human fetal mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC)in vitrohas proven elusive due to limited availability of fetal tissue sources and lack of appropriate methodologies. Here, we have demonstrated the presence of fetal and maternal cells within the tips of terminal chorionic villi (TCV) of normal human term placenta and we have exploited inherent differences in the adhesive and migratory properties of maternalvs. fetal cells, to establish pure MSC cultures of both cell types. The origin and purity of each culture was confirmed by X-Y chromosome-specific fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) and short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping. This is the first demonstration of fetal and maternal cells in the TCV of human term placenta and also of deriving pure fetal MSC cultures from them. The concomitant availability of pure cultures of adult and fetal MSC from one tissue provides a good system to compare genetic and epigenetic differences between adult and fetal MSCs; and also to generate new models of cell based therapies in regenerative medicine.
Emergent Complex Network Geometry
Authors: Wu Zhihao , Menichetti Giulia , Rahmede Christoph , Bianconi Ginestra
Published: May 2015

Networks are mathematical structures that are universally used to describe a large variety of complex systems such as the brain or the Internet. Characterizing the geometrical properties of these networks has become increasingly relevant for routing problems, inference and data mining. In real growing networks, topological, structural and geometrical properties emerge spontaneously from their dynamical rules. Nevertheless we still miss a model in which networks develop an emergent complex geometry. Here we show that a single two parameter network model, the growing geometrical network, can generate complex network geometries with non-trivial distribution of curvatures, combining exponential growth and small-world properties with finite spectral dimensionality. In one limit, the non-equilibrium dynamical rules of these networks can generate scale-free networks with clustering and communities, in another limit planar random geometries with non-trivial modularity. Finally we find that these properties of the geometrical growing networks are present in a large set of real networks describing biological, social and technological systems.
Morphological Characterisation of Unstained and Intact Tissue Micro-architecture by X-ray Computed Micro- and Nano-Tomography
Authors: Walton Lucy A. , Bradley Robert S. , Withers Philip J. , Newton Victoria L. , Watson Rachel E. B. , Austin Clare , Sherratt Michael J.
Published: May 2015

Characterisation and quantification of tissue structures is limited by sectioning-induced artefacts and by the difficulties of visualising and segmenting 3D volumes. Here we demonstrate that, even in the absence of X-ray contrast agents, X-ray computed microtomography (microCT) and nanotomography (nanoCT) can circumvent these problems by rapidly resolving compositionally discrete 3D tissue regions (such as the collagen-rich adventitia and elastin-rich lamellae in intact rat arteries) which in turn can be segmented due to their different X-ray opacities and morphologies. We then establish, using X-ray tomograms of both unpressurised and pressurised arteries that intra-luminal pressure not only increases lumen cross-sectional area and straightens medial elastic lamellae but also induces profound remodelling of the adventitial layer. Finally we apply microCT to another human organ (skin) to visualise the cell-rich epidermis and extracellular matrix-rich dermis and to show that conventional histological and immunohistochemical staining protocols are compatible with prior X-ray exposure. As a consequence we suggest that microCT could be combined with optical microscopy to characterise the 3D structure and composition of archival paraffin embedded biological materials and of mechanically stressed dynamic tissues such as the heart, lungs and tendons.
Number of Nanoparticles per Cell through a Spectrophotometric Method - A key parameter to Assess Nanoparticle-based Cellular Assays
Authors: Unciti-Broceta Juan D. , Cano-Cortés Victoria , Altea-Manzano Patricia , Pernagallo Salvatore , Díaz-Mochón Juan J. , Sánchez-Martín Rosario M.
Published: May 2015

Engineered nanoparticles (eNPs) for biological and biomedical applications are produced from functionalised nanoparticles (NPs) after undergoing multiple handling steps, giving rise to an inevitable loss of NPs. Herein we present a practical method to quantify nanoparticles (NPs) number per volume in an aqueous suspension using standard spectrophotometers and minute amounts of the suspensions (up to 1 μL). This method allows, for the first time, to analyse cellular uptake by reporting NPs number added per cell, as opposed to current methods which are related to solid content (w/V) of NPs. In analogy to the parameter used in viral infective assays (multiplicity of infection), we propose to name this novel parameter as multiplicity of nanofection.
Osteoarthritis Increases the Risk of Dementia: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Shih-Wei , Wang Wei-Te , Chou Lin-Chung , Liao Chun-De , Liou Tsan-Hon , Lin Hui-Wen
Published: May 2015

Osteoarthritis (OA) and dementia are prevalent causes of disability in geriatric patients. To date, information on the temporal correlation between these progressive diseases and the risk of dementia in patients with OA is limited. This retrospective population-based 4-year cohort study investigated the risk of dementia in patients with OA. We performed a case-control matched analysis by using the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005. Patients were selected on the basis of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes for OA between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2007. The prevalence and the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of dementia in patients with and without OA were estimated. The OA cohort comprised 35,149 patients and the non-OA cohort (comparison cohort) comprised 70,298 patients (1:2). The incidence of dementia was 21.7 per 10,000 person-years in the OA cohort and 14.7 per 10,000 person-years in the non-OA cohort. The HR for dementia during the follow-up period was 1.33 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17−1.50, P < 0.001) for patients with OA. The adjusted HR for dementia was 1.25 (95% CI, 1.10−1.43, P < 0.001) for patients with OA. The results of this study indicated that OA is an independent risk factor for dementia.
Circulating microRNAs are promising novel biomarkers for drug-resistant epilepsy
Authors: Wang Jun , Tan Lan , Tan Lin , Tian Yan , Ma Jing , Tan Chen-Chen , Wang Hui-Fu , Liu Ying , Tan Meng-Shan , Jiang Teng , Yu Jin-Tai
Published: May 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) open up a new field for molecular diagnosis for cancer and other diseases based on their stability in serum. However, the role of circulating miRNAs in plasma/serum in epilepsy diagnosis is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether miRNAs can be used as biomarkers for drug-resistant epilepsy. We measured the differences in serum miRNA levels between 30 drug-resistant patients and 30 drug-responsive epilepsy patients in discovery and training phases using Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencing followed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. The selected miRNAs were then validated in 77 drug-resistant epilepsy patients, 81 drug-responsive epilepsy patients and 85 healthy controls by qRT-PCR. We found that circulating miRNAs are differentially expressed between drug-resistant group and drug-responsive group. MiR-194-5p, -301a-3p, -30b-5p, -342-5p and -4446-3p were significantly deregulated in drug-resistant group compared to drug-responsive group and control group. Among these 5 miRNAs, miR-301a-3p had the best diagnostic value for drug-resistant epilepsy with 80.5% sensitivity and 81.2% specificity and was negatively associated with seizure severity. These provide the rationale for further confirmation studies in larger prospective cohorts and in other ethnics.
An alignment-free method to find and visualise rearrangements between pairs of DNA sequences
Authors: Pratas Diogo , Silva Raquel M. , Pinho Armando J. , Ferreira Paulo J.S.G.
Published: May 2015

Species evolution is indirectly registered in their genomic structure. The emergence and advances in sequencing technology provided a way to access genome information, namely to identify and study evolutionary macro-events, as well as chromosome alterations for clinical purposes. This paper describes a completely alignment-free computational method, based on a blind unsupervised approach, to detect large-scale and small-scale genomic rearrangements between pairs of DNA sequences. To illustrate the power and usefulness of the method we give complete chromosomal information maps for the pairs human-chimpanzee and human-orangutan. The tool by means of which these results were obtained has been made publicly available and is described in detail.
Real-time monitoring of cell protrusion dynamics by impedance responses
Authors: Gagliardi Paolo Armando , Puliafito Alberto , di Blasio Laura , Chianale Federica , Somale Desiana , Seano Giorgio , Bussolino Federico , Primo Luca
Published: May 2015

Cellular protrusions are highly dynamic structures involved in fundamental processes,including cell migration and invasion. For a cell to migrate, its leading edge mustform protrusions and then adhere or retract. The spatial and temporal coordinationof protrusions and retraction is yet to be fully understood. The study of protrusiondynamics mainly relies on live-microscopy often coupled to fluorescent labeling.Here we report the use of an alternative, label-free, quantitative and rapid assayto analyze protrusion dynamics in a cell population based on the real-time recordingof cell activity by means of electronic sensors. Cells are seeded on a plate coveredwith electrodes and their shape changes map into measured impedance variations. Upongrowth factor stimulation the impedance increases due to protrusive activity anddecreases following retraction. Compared to microscopy-based methods, impedancemeasurements are suitable to high-throughput studies on different cell lines, growthfactors and chemical compounds. We present data indicating that this assay lendsitself to dissect the biochemical signaling pathways controlling adhesiveprotrusions. Indeed, we show that the protrusion phase is sustained by actinpolymerization, directly driven by growth factor stimulation. Contraction insteadmainly relies on myosin action, pointing at a pivotal role of myosin in lamellipodiaretraction.
Conductivity of Nanowire Arrays under Random and Ordered Orientation Configurations
Authors: Jagota Milind , Tansu Nelson
Published: May 2015

A computational model was developed to analyze electrical conductivity of random metal nanowire networks. It was demonstrated for the first time through use of this model that a performance gain in random metal nanowire networks can be achieved by slightly restricting nanowire orientation. It was furthermore shown that heavily ordered configurations do not outperform configurations with some degree of randomness; randomness in the case of metal nanowire orientations acts to increase conductivity.
Serum IGFBP7 levels associate with insulin resistance and the risk of metabolic syndrome in a Chinese population
Authors: Liu Yi , Wu Minliang , Ling Jie , Cai Libing , Zhang Dandan , Gu Harvest F , Wang Hao , Zhu Yimin , Lai Maode
Published: May 2015

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), one of the major public health concerns, is regarded as the “common soil” of incidence of common chronic diseases and may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. The predominant underlying mechanism of MetS is insulin resistance (IR). Additionally, previous studies have indicated that IGFBP7 has high affinity of binding with insulin and might induce IR. The objective of this study was to firstly evaluate the associations of serum IGFBP7 levels with IR and MetS with a relatively large sample and population based design. In a population based MetS case-control study, HOMA-IR was used to evaluate the insulin sensitivity and serum IGFBP7 levels were determined with chemiluminescence–linked immunoassay. As a result, the subjects of MetS and IR had higher serum levels of IGFBP7 than control healthy subjects. High serum IGFBP7 levels increased the risk of MetS and IR. Serum IGFBP7 levels were also found to be significantly correlated with metabolic-associated parameters of Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), HDL and LDL. These findings suggest that serum IGFBP7 levels are associated with IR and MetS, providing new insight into the mechanism of IR and Mets. IGFBP7 may be a potential interventional target for IR and Mets.
Evaluating information content of SNPs for sample-tagging in re-sequencing projects
Authors: Hu Hao , Liu Xiang , Jin Wenfei , Hilger Ropers H , Wienker Thomas F
Published: May 2015

Sample-tagging is designed for identification of accidental sample mix-up, which is a major issue in re-sequencing studies. In this work, we develop a model to measure the information content of SNPs, so that we can optimize a panel of SNPs that approach the maximal information for discrimination. The analysis shows that as low as 60 optimized SNPs can differentiate the individuals in a population as large as the present world and only 30 optimized SNPs are in practice sufficient in labeling up to 100 thousand individuals. In the simulated populations of 100 thousand individuals, the average Hamming distances, generated by the optimized set of 30 SNPs are larger than 18 and the duality frequency, is lower than 1 in 10 thousand. This strategy of sample discrimination is proved robust in large sample size and different datasets. The optimized sets of SNPs are designed for Whole Exome Sequencing and a program is provided for SNP selection, allowing for customized SNP numbers and interested genes. The sample-tagging plan based on this framework will improve re-sequencing projects in terms of reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Curcumin-Encapsulated Polymeric Micelles Suppress the Development of Colon Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Yang Xi , Li Zhaojun , Wang Ning , Li Ling , Song Linjiang , He Tao , Sun Lu , Wang Zhihan , Wu Qinjie , Luo Na , Yi Cheng , Gong Changyang
Published: May 2015

To develop injectable formulation and improve the stability of curcumin (Cur), Cur was encapsulated into monomethyl poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (ε-caprolactone)-poly (trimethylene carbonate) (MPEG-P(CL-co-TMC)) micelles through a single-step solid dispersion method. The obtained Cur micelles had a small particle size of 27.6 ± 0.7 nm with polydisperse index (PDI) of 0.11 ± 0.05, drug loading of 14.07 ± 0.94% and encapsulation efficiency of 96.08 ± 3.23%. Both free Cur and Cur micelles efficiently suppressed growth of CT26 colon carcinoma cells in vitro. The results of in vitro anticancer studies confirmed that apoptosis induction and cellular uptake on CT26 cells had completely increased in Cur micelles compared with free Cur. Besides, Cur micelles were more effective in suppressing the tumor growth of subcutaneous CT26 colon in vivo and the mechanisms included the inhibition of tumor proliferation and angiogenesis and increased apoptosis of tumor cells. Furthermore, few side effects were found in Cur micelles. Overall, our findings suggested that Cur micelles could be a stabilized aqueous formulation for intravenous application with improved antitumor activity, which may be a potential treatment strategy for colon cancer in the future.
Gambogic acid suppresses cytochrome P450 3A4 by downregulating pregnane X receptor and up-regulating DEC1 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells
Authors: Liu Wei , Ning Rui , Chen Rui-Ni , Hu Jin-Hua , Gui Hai-Yan , Wang Yu-Wen , Liu Jie , Hu Gang , Yang Jian , Guo Qing-Long
Published: May 2015

Gambogic acid suppresses cytochrome P450 3A4 by downregulating pregnane X receptor and up-regulating DEC1 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.
Real-time detection of hypochlorite in tap water and biological samples by a colorimetric, ratiometric and near-infrared fluorescent turn-on probe
Authors: Ding Shuangshuang , Zhang Qiong , Xue Shuanghong , Feng Guoqiang
Published: May 2015

A highly selective and sensitive ratiometric and NIR fluorescent turn-on probe was reported for real-time detection of HClO.
A sensitive biosensor with a DNAzyme for lead(ii) detection based on fluorescence turn-on
Authors: Guo Yang , Li Junting , Zhang Xiaoqian , Tang Yanli
Published: May 2015

A new optical biosensor for detection of lead ions has been constructed based on fluorescence turn-on, which demonstrates high sensitivity and selectivity without any additional procedures.
Novel artificial antigen synthesis for antibody production and development of an indirect competitive ELISA of cyanocobalamin
Authors: Yang Fanfan , Zhu Lixin , Meng Wei , Liu Renrong
Published: May 2015

In the current work, cyanocobalamin is coupled to Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and ovalbumin (OVA) by a CDI method to produce artificial antigens.
Reactions of the methylsulfinyl radical [CH3(O)S˙] with oxygen (3O2) in solid argon
Authors: Reisenauer Hans Peter , Romański Jarosław , Mlostoń Grzegorz , Schreiner Peter R.
Published: May 2015

The atmospherically highly relevant methylsulfinyl radical (CH3(O)S˙) reacts with molecular oxygen in cryogenic argon matrices and forms the methylsulfinylperoxyl radical (CH3(O)SOO˙). The later was characterized by IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, including isotopic labelling studies.
Hierarchical structures of self-assembled hybrid calcium carbonate: nucleation kinetic studies on biomineralization
Authors: Fan Jiadong , Zhang Yang , Ji Nianjing , Duan Xiulan , Liu Hong , Wang Jiyang , Jiang Huaidong
Published: May 2015

The mechanism of self-assembled CaCO3hierarchical structures was elucidated from the viewpoints of kinetically-driven nucleation and phosvitin-mediated mineralization.
Molecular simulation of oligo-glutamates in a calcium-rich aqueous solution: insights into peptide-induced polymorph selection
Authors: Kahlen Jens , Peter Christine , Donadio Davide
Published: May 2015

Advanced simulation methods show how glutamate oligomers prestructure Ca ions and induce structural motifs in correspondence with calciumoxalate pseudopolymorphs.
Electron transfer within a reaction path model calibrated by constrained DFT calculations: application to mixed-valence organic compounds
Authors: Mangaud E. , de la Lande A. , Meier C. , Desouter-Lecomte M.
Published: May 2015

Dissipative quantum dynamics of CT in mixed-valence compounds is studied using a reaction path model calibrated by cDFT calculations.
Geometry controls the stability of FeSi14
Authors: Chauhan Vikas , Abreu Marissa Baddick , Reber Arthur C. , Khanna Shiv N.
Published: May 2015

FeSi14is stable due to its compact and symmetric cage structure highlighting the importance of geometric effects in FeSinclusters.
Non-oxidative dehydroaromatization of methane: an effective reaction–regeneration cyclic operation for catalyst life extension
Authors: Portilla M. Teresa , Llopis Francisco J. , Martínez Cristina
Published: May 2015

The catalyst life of Mo/zeolites is extended by short reaction–regeneration cycles. This protocol allows maximization of benzene productivity. Catalyst carburation during the activation step is shown to be key to optimum performance.
Cryptic noninnocence: FeNO corroles in a new light
Authors: Vazquez-Lima Hugo , Norheim Hans-Kristian , Einrem Rune F. , Ghosh Abhik
Published: May 2015

Multiple lines of evidence, including electronic absorption spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and broken-symmetry DFT calculations, indicate that the well-known FeNO corroles, long assumed to be {FeNO}6 complexes, are in fact better described as {FeNO}7-(corrole˙2−).
Infrared nonlinear optical properties of lithium-containing diamond-like semiconductors Li2ZnGeSe4 and Li2ZnSnSe4
Authors: Zhang Jian-Han , Clark Daniel J. , Brant Jacilynn A. , Sinagra Charles W. , Kim Yong Soo , Jang Joon I. , Aitken Jennifer A.
Published: May 2015

Two new lithium-containing diamond-like semiconductors were synthesized, and the nonlinear optical properties were studied.
Raising the barrier for photoinduced DNA charge injection with a cyclohexyl artificial base pair
Authors: Singh Arunoday P. N. , Harris Michelle A. , Young Ryan M. , Miller Stephen A. , Wasielewski Michael R. , Lewis Frederick D.
Published: May 2015

The effects of an artificial cyclohexyl base pair on the quantum yields of fluorescence and dynamics of charge separation and charge recombination have been investigated for several synthetic DNA hairpins. The hairpins possess stilbenedicarboxamide, perylenediimide, or naphthalenediimide linkers and base-paired stems. In the absence of the artificial base pair hole injection into both adenine and guanine purine bases is exergonic and irreversible, except in the case of stilbene with adenine for which it is slightly endergonic and reversible. Insertion of the artificial base pair renders hole injection endergonic or isoergonic except in the case of the powerful naphthalene acceptor for which it remains exergonic. Both hole injection and charge recombination are slower for the naphthalene acceptor in the presence of the artificial base pair than in its absence. The effect of an artificial base pair on charge separation and charge recombination in hairpins possessing stilbene and naphthalene acceptor linkers and a stilbenediether donor capping group has also been investigated. In the case of the stilbene acceptor–stilbene donor capped hairpins photoinduced charge separation across six base pairs is efficient in the absence of the artificial base pair but does not occur in its presence. In the case of the naphthalene acceptor–stilbene donor capped hairpins the artificial base pair slows but does not stop charge separation and charge recombination, leading to the formation of long-lived charge separated states.
One-pot relay reduction–isomerization of β-trifluoromethylated-α,β-unsaturated ketones to chiral β-trifluoromethylated saturated ketones over combined catalysts in aqueous medium
Authors: Xia Xuelin , Wu Meng , Jin Ronghua , Cheng Tanyu , Liu Guohua
Published: May 2015

Combining Ru-functionalized silica and RuCl(PPh3)3 enables one-pot relay reduction-isomerizations of β-CF3-substituted-α,β-unsaturated ketones to chiral saturated ketones.
Synergism in semiconducting nanocomposites: visible light photocatalysis towards the formation of C–S and C–N bonds
Authors: Wade Anil R. , Pawar Hari R. , Biware Megha V. , Chikate Rajeev C.
Published: May 2015

Synergism in CdSe/MMT photocatalyst induces efficient synthesis of 2-substituted benzazoles under visible light with excellent yields and recycling capability.
A fully integrated microdevice for biobarcode assay based biological agent detection
Authors: Cho Minkyung , Chung Soyi , Kim Yong Tae , Jung Jae Hwan , Kim Do Hyun , Seo Tae Seok
Published: May 2015

We reported a fully integrated microdevice that is capable of performing a biobarcode assay to detect multiplex biological agents with high speed, accuracy and sensitivity.
Protein localization vector propagation: a method for improving the accuracy of drug repositioning
Authors: Yeu Yunku , Yoon Youngmi , Park Sanghyun
Published: May 2015

Protein's subcellular localization data were propagated through a PPI network, and the propagated information improved the accuracy of a computational drug–target (disease) prediction.
Hollow silica sphere colloidal crystals: insights into calcination dependent thermal transport
Authors: Ruckdeschel P. , Kemnitzer T. W. , Nutz F. A. , Senker J. , Retsch M.
Published: May 2015

This study introduces colloidal crystals consisting of hollow silica spheres as a well-defined platform to study thermal transport across multiple length scales and interfaces.
Stepwise assembly of a cross-linked free-standing nanoparticle sheet with controllable shape
Authors: Zhang Hui , Liu Mei , Zhou Tian , Dong Bin , Li Christopher Y.
Published: May 2015

We report the shape controlled synthesis of a crosslinked nanoparticle thin lamella based on a polymer single crystal template.
Synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity of cross-conjugated prostaglandin A and J series and their hydroxy derivatives
Authors: Żurawiński Remigiusz , Mikołajczyk Marian , Cieślak Marcin , Królewska Karolina , Kaźmierczak-Barańska Julia
Published: May 2015

An efficient synthetic protocol for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure cyclopentenone prostaglandin derivatives is described and the anticancer activity of these derivatives was determined.
One-pot green synthesis of eumelanin: process optimization and its characterization
Authors: Saini Amardeep Singh , Melo Jose Savio
Published: May 2015

Herein, we propose the importance of Taguchi’s design of experiment methodology for increasing the yield of eumelanin using l-Dopa as the substrate and tyrosinase enzyme from Amorphophallus campanulatus as the biocatalyst.
Molecular docking studies and biological evaluation of chalcone based pyrazolines as tyrosinase inhibitors and potential anticancer agents
Authors: Qin Hua-Li , Shang Zhen-Peng , Jantan Ibrahim , Tan Oya Unsal , Hussain Muhammad Ajaz , Sher Muhammad , Bukhari Syed Nasir Abbas
Published: May 2015

A series of synthetic chalcones and pyrazoline derivatives showed antityrosinase, anticancer and considerable tubulin polymerization activity.
Magnetite/dextran-functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets for in vivo positive contrast magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Moradi S. , Akhavan O. , Tayyebi A. , Rahighi R. , Mohammadzadeh M. , Saligheh Rad H. R.
Published: May 2015

In vivo positive contrast MRI by magnetite/dextran-functionalized graphene oxide (SPIO-Dex-FGO) as compared to Magnevist® (the right rat).
Fabrication and stabilization of nanoscale emulsions by formation of a thin polymer membrane at the oil–water interface
Authors: Shin Kyounghee , Kim Jeong Won , Park Hanhee , Choi Hong Sung , Chae Pil Seok , Nam Yoon Sung , Kim Jin Woong
Published: May 2015

Extremely stable O/W nanoemulsions are fabricated by effective assembly of an amphiphilic PEO-b-PCL copolymer at the oil–water interface during phase inversion, which favors formation of a thin PEO-b-PCL film at the interface.
Highly monodispersed Ag embedded SiO2nanostructured thin film for sensitive SERS substrate: growth, characterization and detection of dye molecules
Authors: Jayram Naidu Dhanpal , Sonia S. , Kumar Palaniswamy Suresh , Marimuthu L. , Masuda Yoshitake , Mangalaraj D. , Ponpandian N. , Viswanathan C. , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: May 2015

Highly monodispersed Ag embedded SiO2nanostructured thin films have been synthesized and their sensitivity towards SERS investigated.
Structure–inhibition relationship of phenylethanoid glycosides on angiotensin-converting enzyme using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Pengfei , Qi Meng , Hu Haijun , Liu Qing , Yang Qiming , Wang Dandan , Guo Fujiang , Bligh S. W. Annie , Wang Zhengtao , Yang Li
Published: May 2015

The structure–inhibition relationship of phenylethanoid glycosides against ACE was investigated by an improved UPLC-MS/MS method. The number of hydroxyl groups and structural steric hindrance were critical for the ACEI of phenylethanoid glycosides.
Chloroquinoline–acetamide hybrids: a promising series of potential antiprotozoal agents
Authors: Inam Afreen , Van Zyl Robyn L. , van Vuuren Natasha J. , Chen Chien-Teng , Avecilla Fernando , Agarwal Subhash M. , Azam Amir
Published: May 2015

In an endeavour to develop efficacious antiprotozoal agents chloroquinoline–acetamide hybrids were synthesized and screened in vitro against E. histolytica and P. falciparum and molecular docking studies were performed against PfDHFR.
Enhanced catalytic activity with high thermal stability based on multiple Au cores in the interior of mesoporous Si–Al shells
Authors: Zhang Yiwei , Xiang Sanming , Zhou Yuming , Xu Yuanmei , Zhang Zewu , Sheng Xiaoli , Wang Qianli , Zhang Chao
Published: May 2015

Mesoporous Si–Al/Au nanocatalysts were synthesized by combining the advantage of good permeability from mesoporous Si–Al shells and the high activity upon multiple Au cores.
Mechanism of enhancing the formaldehyde sensing properties of Co3O4via Ag modification
Authors: Bai Shouli , Liu Haiyan , Sun Jianhua , Tian Ye , Luo Ruixian , Li Dianqing , Chen Aifan
Published: May 2015

Ag@Co3O4 hollow microspheres exhibit higher sensitivity to formaldehyde at a lower operating temperature, which is attributed to the catalytic effect of Ag nanoparticles and the Schottky barrier formed at the metal–semiconductor interface.
Multiply functionalized dendrimers: protective-group-free synthesis through sequential thiol-epoxy ‘click’ chemistry and esterification reaction
Authors: Gadwal Ikhlas , Khan Anzar
Published: May 2015

A protective-group-free synthetic route to multiply functionalized dendrimers is presented.
The synergistic extraction of heavy rare earth elements using EHEHP-type and BTMPP-type functional ionic liquids
Authors: Sun Xiaoqi , Dong Yamin , Wang Yanliang , Chai Yujun
Published: May 2015

Heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) are critical for many advanced materials. The synergistic extraction based on EHEHP-type and BTMPP-type bifunctional ionic liquids for HREEs separation is studied in this paper.
Direct synthesis of V–W–Ti nanoparticle catalysts for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3
Authors: Cheng Kai , Liu Jian , Zhao Zhen , Wei Yuechang , Jiang Guiyuan , Duan Aijun
Published: May 2015

A series of V–W–Ti nanoparticle catalysts with variable V doping amounts were directly synthesized by the sol–gel method, and their catalytic performances were tested for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with ammonia.
Freestanding and flexible graphene wrapped MnO2/MoO3 nanoparticle based asymmetric supercapacitors for high energy density and output voltage
Authors: Yang Congxing , Shi Yuling , Liu Nishuang , Tao Jiayou , Wang Siliang , Liu Weijie , Wang Yumei , Su Jun , Li Luying , Yang Changping , Gao Yihua
Published: May 2015

Freestanding and flexible asymmetric supercapacitors with good cycling stability.
Crystal engineering of ibuprofen using starch derivatives in crystallization medium to produce promising ibuprofen with improved pharmaceutical performance
Authors: Nokhodchi Ali , Homayouni Alireza , Araya Ruta , Kaialy Waseem , Obeidat Wasfy , Asare-Addo Kofi
Published: May 2015

Ibuprofen exhibits poor flow, poor compaction and dissolution behaviour, and it is prone to capping after ejection from the die, therefore it needs particle modification.
Facile synthesis of Au@TiO2 nanocomposite and its application as a photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Lim Su Pei , Pandikumar Alagarsamy , Huang Nay Ming , Lim Hong Ngee
Published: May 2015

Au@TiO2 nanocomposite materials were synthesized by a facile one-step chemical reduction method and employed as photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells.
Effect of electric field on the electronic and magnetic properties of a graphene nanoribbon/aluminium nitride bilayer system
Authors: Ilyasov Victor V. , Nguyen Chuong V. , Ershov Igor V. , Hieu Nguyen N.
Published: May 2015

The effect of an external electric field on the electronic and magnetic properties of the heterostructure of zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) placed on an aluminium nitride nanosheet (AlNNS) is studied using density functional theory (DFT).
Derivative-Fourier transforms-polynomial fit: a coupling of interest in common non-ideal cases arises during trace metal analysis using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry
Authors: Korany Mohamed A. , Ibrahim Hesham. Z. , Ragab Marwa A. A. , Abdel-Kawi Mervat A. , Sayed Abd El Aal A. A.
Published: May 2015

Chemometric treatment was proposed for handling graphite furnace atomic absorption (GFAAS) data.
The behaviour of β-triketimine cobalt complexes in the polymerization of isoprene
Authors: Alnajrani Mohammed N. , Mair Francis S.
Published: May 2015

Cobalt complexes of β-triketimines activated by Et2AlCl polymerize isoprene to give up to 80%cis-1,4 with 20% 3,4 polymer, at 35 °C.
Captopril as a nucleophile for ester cleavage. Formation of the thiolester S-benzoylcaptopril
Authors: Iglesias Emilia , Brandariz Isabel
Published: May 2015

The reaction between captopril and phenylbenzoate yields S-benzoylcaptopril that is very stable in a carbonate buffer or in an aqueous micellar medium.
Magnetically separable palladium nanocluster supported iron based metal–organic framework (MIL-88B) catalyst in efficient hydrogenation reactions
Authors: Islam D. A. , Acharya H.
Published: May 2015

A magnetically separable palladium nanocluster (Pd NCs) supported iron based metal–organic framework, Pd@MIL-88B catalyst for enhanced catalytic activity towards the reduction of 4-nitrophenol.
Hierarchical porous nano-MFI zeolite-pillared montmorillonite clay synthesized by recrystallization for hydrocracking of residual oil
Authors: Ren Zhiming , Li Baoshan , Yue Liwen , Wu Naijin , Lv Kaixuan , Han Chunying , Liu Jianjun
Published: May 2015

An MFI zeolite nanosheet-pillared montmorillonite clay (MPC) with a uniform hierarchical structure was synthesized by a recrystallization method.
Design, synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of dihydropyrimidone based organic–inorganic nano-hybrids
Authors: Raj Tilak , Kaur Billing Beant , Kaur Navneet , Singh Narinder
Published: May 2015

Substituted dihydropyrimidone derivatives were synthesized through one pot multicomponent Zn(ClO4)2catalysed Biginelli reactions between differently substituted aromatic aldehydes, urea and ethylacetoacetate.
Synthesis of open-mouthed, yolk–shell Au@AgPd nanoparticles with access to interior surfaces for enhanced electrocatalysis
Authors: Shi Qiurong , Zhang Peina , Li Yijing , Xia Haibing , Wang Dayang , Tao Xutang
Published: May 2015

Open-mouthed, yolk–shell Au@AgPd nanoparticles are successfully producedviagalvanic replacement reaction in water at room temperature.
Highly efficient near ultraviolet organic light-emitting diode based on a meta-linked donor–acceptor molecule
Authors: Liu Haichao , Bai Qing , Yao Liang , Zhang Haiyan , Xu Hai , Zhang Shitong , Li Weijun , Gao Yu , Li Jinyu , Lu Ping , Wang Hongyan , Yang Bing , Ma Yuguang
Published: May 2015

Ameta-linked donor–acceptor (D–A) structure was utilized to achieve high-efficiency and colour-purity near ultraviolet (NUV) in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).
Bond breaking dynamics in semiflexible networks under load
Authors: Vaca Christian , Shlomovitz Roie , Yang Yali , Valentine Megan T. , Levine Alex J.
Published: May 2015

We compute bond-breaking dynamics of a semiflexible filament under loading, and compare to observed driven particle motion in biopolymer networks.
Graphene-wrapped mesoporous MnCO3 single crystals synthesized by a dynamic floating electrodeposition method for high performance lithium-ion storage
Authors: Gao Mingwen , Cui Xinwei , Wang Renfei , Wang Tianfei , Chen Weixing
Published: May 2015

Graphene-wrapped MnCO3 MSCs, synthesized through dynamic floating electrodeposition, demonstrate high capacity (1087 mA h g−1) and excellent cycling performance (>400 cycles).
A one-step roll-to-roll process of stable AgNW/PEDOT:PSS solution using imidazole as a mild base for highly conductive and transparent films: optimizations and mechanisms
Authors: Kim Seyul , Kim So Yeon , Chung Moon Hyun , Kim Jeonghun , Kim Jung Hyun
Published: May 2015

An AgNW/PEDOT:PSS coated, transparent, conducting, roll film (460 mm in width × 20 m in length) with good electrical and optical properties was produced using the roll-to-roll slot-die coating method.
The crucial role of self-assembly in nonlinear optical properties of polymeric composites based on crown-substituted ruthenium phthalocyaninate
Authors: Gorbunova Yulia G. , Grishina Antonina D. , Martynov Alexander G. , Krivenko Tatiyana V. , Isakova Alexandra A. , Savel'ev Vladimir V. , Nefedov Sergey E. , Abkhalimov Evgeny V. , Vannikov Anatoly V. , Tsivadze Aslan Yu.
Published: May 2015

Single-crystal, thin film and polymeric composites of [(15C5)4Pc]Ru(pyz) with polyvinylcarbazole were studied and crucial role of self-assembling in their nonlinear optical behavior was revealed.
A host–guest system comprising high guest concentration to achieve simplified and high-performance hybrid white organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Liu Baiquan , Luo Dongxiang , Zou Jianhua , Gao Dongyu , Ning Honglong , Wang Lei , Peng Junbiao , Cao Yong
Published: May 2015

A host–guest system comprising high guest concentration (1.5%) is used to develop high-performance single-EML hybrid WOLEDs and dual-EML WOLEDs.
Does the liposuction method influence the phenotypic characteristic of human adipose-derived stem cells?
Authors: Bajek Anna , Gurtowska Natalia , Gackowska Lidia , Kubiszewska Izabela , Bodnar Magdalena , Marszałek Andrzej , Januszewski Rafał , Michalkiewicz Jacek , Drewa Tomasz
Published: May 2015

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) possess a high differentiation and proliferation potential. However, the phenotypic characterization of ASCs is still difficult. Until now, there is no extensive analysis of ASCs markers depending on different liposuction methods. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyse 242 surface markers and determine the differences in the phenotypic pattern between ASCs obtained during mechanical and ultrasound-assisted liposuction. ASCs were isolated from healthy donors, due to mechanical and ultrasound-assisted liposuction and cultured in standard medium to the second passage. Differentiation potential and markers expression was evaluated to confirm the mesenchymal nature of cells. Then, the BD LyoplateTM Human Cell Surface Marker Screening Panel was used. Results shown that both population of ASCs are characterized by high expression of markers specific for ASCs: cluster of differentiation (CD)9, CD10, CD34, CD44, CD49d, CD54, CD55, CD59, CD71 and low expression of CD11a, CD11c and CD144. Moreover, we have noticed significant differences in antigen expression in 58 markers from the 242 studied. Presented study shows for the first time that different liposuction methods are not a significant factor which can influence the expression of human ASCs surface markers.