bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence for the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet divide for 1.4 million years
Authors: Hein Andrew S. , Woodward John , Marrero Shasta M. , Dunning Stuart A. , Steig Eric J. , Freeman Stewart P. H. T. , Stuart Finlay M. , Winter Kate , Westoby Matthew J. , Sugden David E.
Published: February 2016

Past fluctuations of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) are of fundamental interest because of the possibility of WAIS collapse in the future and a consequent rise in global sea level. However, the configuration and stability of the ice sheet during past interglacial periods remains uncertain. Here we present geomorphological evidence and multiple cosmogenic nuclide data from the southern Ellsworth Mountains to suggest that the divide of the WAIS has fluctuated only modestly in location and thickness for at least the last 1.4 million years. Fluctuations during glacial–interglacial cycles appear superimposed on a long-term trajectory of ice-surface lowering relative to the mountains. This implies that as a minimum, a regional ice sheet centred on the Ellsworth-Whitmore uplands may have survived Pleistocene warm periods. If so, it constrains the WAIS contribution to global sea level rise during interglacials to about 3.3 m above present.
Absence of a spin-signature from a single Ho adatom as probed by spin-sensitive tunneling
Authors: Steinbrecher M. , Sonntag A. , Dias M. dos Santos , Bouhassoune M. , Lounis S. , Wiebe J. , Wiesendanger R. , Khajetoorians A. A.
Published: February 2016

Whether rare-earth materials can be used as single-atom magnetic memory is an ongoing debate in recent literature. Here we show, by inelastic and spin-resolved scanning tunnelling-based methods, that we observe a strong magnetic signal and excitation from Fe atoms adsorbed on Pt(111), but see no signatures of magnetic excitation or spin-based telegraph noise for Ho atoms. Moreover, we observe that the indirect exchange field produced by a single Ho atom is negligible, as sensed by nearby Fe atoms. We demonstrate, usingab initiomethods, that this stems from a comparatively weak coupling of the Ho 4felectrons with both tunnelling electrons and substrate-derived itinerant electrons, making both magnetic coupling and detection very difficult when compared to 3delements. We discuss these results in the context of ongoing disputes and clarify important controversies.
Homochiral D4-symmetric metal–organic cages from stereogenic Ru(II) metalloligands for effective enantioseparation of atropisomeric molecules
Authors: Wu Kai , Li Kang , Hou Ya-Jun , Pan Mei , Zhang Lu-Yin , Chen Ling , Su Cheng-Yong
Published: February 2016

Absolute chiral environments are rare in regular polyhedral and prismatic architectures, but are achievable from self-assembly of metal–organic cages/containers (MOCs), which endow us with a promising ability to imitate natural organization systems to accomplish stereochemical recognition, catalysis and separation. Here we report a general assembly approach to homochiral MOCs with robust chemical viability suitable for various practical applications. A stepwise process for assembly of enantiopure ΔΔΔΔΔΔΔΔ- and ΛΛΛΛΛΛΛΛ-Pd6(RuL3)8 MOCs is accomplished by pre-resolution of the Δ/Λ-Ru-metalloligand precursors. The obtained Pd–Ru bimetallic MOCs feature in large D4-symmetric chiral space imposed by the predetermined Ru(II)-octahedral stereoconfigurations, which are substitutionally inert, stable, water-soluble and are capable of encapsulating a dozen guests per cage. Chiral resolution tests reveal diverse host–guest stereoselectivity towards different chiral molecules, which demonstrate enantioseparation ability for atropisomeric compounds with C2 symmetry. NMR studies indicate a distinctive resolution process depending on guest exchange dynamics, which is differentiable between host–guest diastereomers.
Stabilization of active matter by flow-vortex lattices and defect ordering
Authors: Doostmohammadi Amin , Adamer Michael F. , Thampi Sumesh P. , Yeomans Julia M.
Published: February 2016

Active systems, from bacterial suspensions to cellular monolayers, are continuously driven out of equilibrium by local injection of energy from their constituent elements and exhibit turbulent-like and chaotic patterns. Here we demonstrate both theoretically and through numerical simulations, that the crossover between wet active systems, whose behaviour is dominated by hydrodynamics, and dry active matter where any flow is screened, can be achieved by using friction as a control parameter. Moreover, we discover unexpected vortex ordering at this wet–dry crossover. We show that the self organization of vortices into lattices is accompanied by the spatial ordering of topological defects leading to active crystal-like structures. The emergence of vortex lattices, which leads to the positional ordering of topological defects, suggests potential applications in the design and control of active materials.
Presynaptic partner selection during retinal circuit reassembly varies with timing of neuronal regeneration in vivo
Authors: Yoshimatsu Takeshi , D’Orazi Florence D. , Gamlin Clare R. , Suzuki Sachihiro C. , Suli Arminda , Kimelman David , Raible David W. , Wong Rachel O.
Published: February 2016

Whether neurons can restore their original connectivity patterns during circuit repair is unclear. Taking advantage of the regenerative capacity of zebrafish retina, we show here the remarkable specificity by which surviving neurons reassemble their connectivity upon regeneration of their major input. H3 horizontal cells (HCs) normally avoid red and green cones, and prefer ultraviolet over blue cones. Upon ablation of the major (ultraviolet) input, H3 HCs do not immediately increase connectivity with other cone types. Instead, H3 dendrites retract and re-extend to contact new ultraviolet cones. But, if regeneration is delayed or absent, blue-cone synaptogenesis increases and ectopic synapses are made with red and green cones. Thus, cues directing synapse specificity can be maintained following input loss, but only within a limited time period. Further, we postulate that signals from the major input that shape the H3 HC’s wiring pattern during development persist to restrict miswiring after damage.
Emerging roles of ARHGAP33 in intracellular trafficking of TrkB and pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Nakazawa Takanobu , Hashimoto Ryota , Sakoori Kazuto , Sugaya Yuki , Tanimura Asami , Hashimotodani Yuki , Ohi Kazutaka , Yamamori Hidenaga , Yasuda Yuka , Umeda-Yano Satomi , Kiyama Yuji , Konno Kohtarou , Inoue Takeshi , Yokoyama Kazumasa , Inoue Takafumi , Numata Shusuke , Ohnuma Tohru , Iwata Nakao , Ozaki Norio , Hashimoto Hitoshi , Watanabe Masahiko , Manabe Toshiya , Yamamoto Tadashi , Takeda Masatoshi , Kano Masanobu
Published: February 2016

Intracellular trafficking of receptor proteins is essential for neurons to detect various extracellular factors during the formation and refinement of neural circuits. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the trafficking of neurotrophin receptors to synapses remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that a brain-enriched sorting nexin, ARHGAP33, is a new type of regulator for the intracellular trafficking of TrkB, a high-affinity receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor. ARHGAP33 knockout (KO) mice exhibit reduced expression of synaptic TrkB, impaired spine development and neuropsychiatric disorder-related behavioural abnormalities. These deficits are rescued by specific pharmacological enhancement of TrkB signalling in ARHGAP33 KO mice. Mechanistically, ARHGAP33 interacts with SORT1 to cooperatively regulate TrkB trafficking. Human ARHGAP33 is associated with brain phenotypes and reduced SORT1 expression is found in patients with schizophrenia. We propose that ARHGAP33/SORT1-mediated TrkB trafficking is essential for synapse development and that the dysfunction of this mechanism may be a new molecular pathology of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Highly robust crystalsome via directed polymer crystallization at curved liquid/liquid interface
Authors: Wang Wenda , Qi Hao , Zhou Tian , Mei Shan , Han Lin , Higuchi Takeshi , Jinnai Hiroshi , Li Christopher Y.
Published: February 2016

Lipids and amphiphilic block copolymers spontaneously self-assemble in water to form a plethora of micelles and vesicles. They are typically fluidic in nature and often mechanically weak for applications such as drug delivery and gene therapeutics. Mechanical properties of polymeric materials could be improved by forming crystalline structures. However, most of the self-assembled micelles and vesicles have curved surfaces and precisely tuning crystallization within a nanoscale curved space is challenging, as the curved geometry is incommensurate with crystals having three-dimensional translational symmetry. Herein, we report using a miniemulsion crystallization method to grow nanosized, polymer single-crystal-like capsules. We coin the name crystalsome to describe this unique structure, because they are formed by polymer lamellar crystals and their structure mimics liposomes and polymersomes. Using poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) as the model polymer, we show that curved water/p-xylene interface formed by the miniemulsion process can guide the growth of PLLA single crystals. Crystalsomes with the size ranging from ∼148 nm to over 1 μm have been formed. Atomic force microscopy measurement demonstrate a two to three orders of magnitude increase in bending modulus compared with conventional polymersomes. We envisage that this novel structure could shed light on investigating spherical crystallography and drug delivery.
High-efficiency electrochemical thermal energy harvester using carbon nanotube aerogel sheet electrodes
Authors: Im Hyeongwook , Kim Taewoo , Song Hyelynn , Choi Jongho , Park Jae Sung , Ovalle-Robles Raquel , Yang Hee Doo , Kihm Kenneth D. , Baughman Ray H. , Lee Hong H. , Kang Tae June , Kim Yong Hyup
Published: February 2016

Conversion of low-grade waste heat into electricity is an important energy harvesting strategy. However, abundant heat from these low-grade thermal streams cannot be harvested readily because of the absence of efficient, inexpensive devices that can convert the waste heat into electricity. Here we fabricate carbon nanotube aerogel-based thermo-electrochemical cells, which are potentially low-cost and relatively high-efficiency materials for this application. When normalized to the cell cross-sectional area, a maximum power output of 6.6 W m−2 is obtained for a 51 °C inter-electrode temperature difference, with a Carnot-relative efficiency of 3.95%. The importance of electrode purity, engineered porosity and catalytic surfaces in enhancing the thermocell performance is demonstrated.
Major bacterial lineages are essentially devoid of CRISPR-Cas viral defence systems
Authors: Burstein David , Sun Christine L. , Brown Christopher T. , Sharon Itai , Anantharaman Karthik , Probst Alexander J. , Thomas Brian C. , Banfield Jillian F.
Published: February 2016

Current understanding of microorganism–virus interactions, which shape the evolution and functioning of Earth’s ecosystems, is based primarily on cultivated organisms. Here we investigate thousands of viral and microbial genomes recovered using a cultivation-independent approach to study the frequency, variety and taxonomic distribution of viral defence mechanisms. CRISPR-Cas systems that confer microorganisms with immunity to viruses are present in only 10% of 1,724 sampled microorganisms, compared with previous reports of 40% occurrence in bacteria and 81% in archaea. We attribute this large difference to the lack of CRISPR-Cas systems across major bacterial lineages that have no cultivated representatives. We correlate absence of CRISPR-Cas with lack of nucleotide biosynthesis capacity and a symbiotic lifestyle. Restriction systems are well represented in these lineages and might provide both non-specific viral defence and access to nucleotides.
Rapid intensification and the bimodal distribution of tropical cyclone intensity
Authors: Lee Chia-Ying , Tippett Michael K. , Sobel Adam H. , Camargo Suzana J.
Published: February 2016

The severity of a tropical cyclone (TC) is often summarized by its lifetime maximum intensity (LMI), and the climatological LMI distribution is a fundamental feature of the climate system. The distinctive bimodality of the LMI distribution means that major storms (LMI >96 kt) are not very rare compared with less intense storms. Rapid intensification (RI) is the dramatic strengthening of a TC in a short time, and is notoriously difficult to forecast or simulate. Here we show that the bimodality of the LMI distribution reflects two types of storms: those that undergo RI during their lifetime (RI storms) and those that do not (non-RI storms). The vast majority (79%) of major storms are RI storms. Few non-RI storms (6%) become major storms. While the importance of RI has been recognized in weather forecasting, our results demonstrate that RI also plays a crucial role in the TC climatology.
Downregulation of TLX induces TET3 expression and inhibits glioblastoma stem cell self-renewal and tumorigenesis
Authors: Cui Qi , Yang Su , Ye Peng , Tian E. , Sun Guoqiang , Zhou Jiehua , Sun Guihua , Liu Xiaoxuan , Chen Chao , Murai Kiyohito , Zhao Chunnian , Azizian Krist T. , Yang Lu , Warden Charles , Wu Xiwei , D'Apuzzo Massimo , Brown Christine , Badie Behnam , Peng Ling , Riggs Arthur D. , Rossi John J. , Shi Yanhong
Published: February 2016

Glioblastomas have been proposed to be maintained by highly tumorigenic glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) that are resistant to current therapy. Therefore, targeting GSCs is critical for developing effective therapies for glioblastoma. In this study, we identify the regulatory cascade of the nuclear receptor TLX and the DNA hydroxylase Ten eleven translocation 3 (TET3) as a target for human GSCs. We show that knockdown of TLX expression inhibits human GSC tumorigenicity in mice. Treatment of human GSC-grafted mice with viral vector-delivered TLX shRNA or nanovector-delivered TLX siRNA inhibits tumour development and prolongs survival. Moreover, we identify TET3 as a potent tumour suppressor downstream of TLX to regulate the growth and self-renewal in GSCs. This study identifies the TLX-TET3 axis as a potential therapeutic target for glioblastoma.
Global Warming Attenuates the Tropical Atlantic-Pacific Teleconnection
Authors: Jia Fan , Wu Lixin , Gan Bolan , Cai Wenju
Published: February 2016

Changes in global sea surface temperature (SST) since the end of last century display a pattern of widespread warming intercepted by cooling in the eastern equatorial Pacific and western coasts of the American continent. Studies have suggested that the cooling in the eastern equatorial Pacific may be partly induced by warming in the North Atlantic. However, it remains unknown how stable this inter-tropical teleconnection will be under global warming. Here we show that the inter-tropical teleconnection from the tropical Atlantic to Pacific weakens substantially as the CO2 concentration increases. This reduced impact is related to the El Niño-like warming of the tropical Pacific mean state, which leads to limited seasonal migration of the Pacific inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and weakened ocean heat transport. A fast decay of the tropical Atlantic SST anomalies in a warmer climate also contributes to the weakened teleconnection. Our study suggests that as greenhouse warming continues, the trend in the tropical Pacific as well as the development of ENSO will be less frequently interrupted by the Atlantic because of this attenuation. The weakened teleconnection is also supported by CMIP5 models, although only a few of these models can capture this inter-tropical teleconnection.
Control of electronic transport in graphene by electromagnetic dressing
Authors: Kristinsson K. , Kibis O. V. , Morina S. , Shelykh I. A.
Published: February 2016

We demonstrated theoretically that the renormalization of the electron energy spectrum near the Dirac point of graphene by a strong high-frequency electromagnetic field (dressing field) drastically depends on polarization of the field. Namely, linear polarization results in an anisotropic gapless energy spectrum, whereas circular polarization leads to an isotropic gapped one. As a consequence, the stationary (dc) electronic transport in graphene strongly depends on parameters of the dressing field: A circularly polarized field monotonically decreases the isotropic conductivity of graphene, whereas a linearly polarized one results in both giant anisotropy of conductivity (which can reach thousands of percents) and the oscillating behavior of the conductivity as a function of the field intensity. Since the predicted phenomena can be observed in a graphene layer irradiated by a monochromatic electromagnetic wave, the elaborated theory opens a substantially new way to control electronic properties of graphene with light.
Reconfigurable logic via gate controlled domain wall trajectory in magnetic network structure
Authors: Murapaka C. , Sethi P. , Goolaup S. , Lew W. S.
Published: February 2016

An all-magnetic logic scheme has the advantages of being non-volatile and energy efficient over the conventional transistor based logic devices. In this work, we present a reconfigurable magnetic logic device which is capable of performing all basic logic operations in a single device. The device exploits the deterministic trajectory of domain wall (DW) in ferromagnetic asymmetric branch structure for obtaining different output combinations. The programmability of the device is achieved by using a current-controlled magnetic gate, which generates a local Oersted field. The field generated at the magnetic gate influences the trajectory of the DW within the structure by exploiting its inherent transverse charge distribution. DW transformation from vortex to transverse configuration close to the output branch plays a pivotal role in governing the DW chirality and hence the output. By simply switching the current direction through the magnetic gate, two universal logic gate functionalities can be obtained in this device. Using magnetic force microscopy imaging and magnetoresistance measurements, all basic logic functionalities are demonstrated.
Possible shift in the ENSO-Indian monsoon rainfall relationship under future global warming
Authors: Azad Sarita , Rajeevan M.
Published: February 2016

EI Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian monsoon rainfall are known to have an inverse relationship, which we have observed in the rainfall spectrum exhibiting a spectral dip in 3–5 y period band. It is well documented that El Nino events are known to be associated with deficit rainfall. Our analysis reveals that this spectral dip (3–5 y) is likely to shift to shorter periods (2.5–3 y) in future, suggesting a possible shift in the relationship between ENSO and monsoon rainfall. Spectral analysis of future climate projections by 20 Coupled Model Intercomparison project 5 (CMIP5) models are employed in order to corroborate our findings. Change in spectral dip speculates early occurrence of drought events in future due to multiple factors of global warming.
Semantic and emotional content of imagined representations in human occipitotemporal cortex
Authors: Mitchell Daniel J , Cusack Rhodri
Published: February 2016

Mental imagery is a critical cognitive function, clinically important, but poorly understood. When visual objects are perceived, many of their sensory, semantic and emotional properties are represented in occipitotemporal cortex. Visual imagery has been found to activate some of the same brain regions, but it was not known what properties are re-created in these regions during imagery. We therefore examined the representation during imagery for two stimuli in depth, by comparing the pattern of fMRI response to the patterns evoked by the perception of 200 diverse objects chosen to de-correlate their properties. Real-time, adaptive stimulus selection allowed efficient sampling of this broad stimulus space. Our experiments show that occipitotemporal cortex, which encoded sensory, semantic and emotional properties during perception, can robustly represent semantic and emotional properties during imagery, but that these representations depend on the object being imagined and on individual differences in style and reported vividness of imagery.
Predicting the Mutating Distribution at Antigenic Sites of the Influenza Virus
Authors: Xu Hongyang , Yang Yiyan , Wang Shuning , Zhu Ruixin , Qiu Tianyi , Qiu Jingxuan , Zhang Qingchen , Jin Li , He Yungang , Tang Kailin , Cao Zhiwei
Published: February 2016

Mutations of the influenza virus lead to antigenic changes that cause recurrent epidemics and vaccine resistance. Preventive measures would benefit greatly from the ability to predict the potential distribution of new antigenic sites in future strains. By leveraging the extensive historical records of HA sequences for 90 years, we designed a computational model to simulate the dynamic evolution of antigenic sites in A/H1N1. With templates of antigenic sequences, the model can effectively predict the potential distribution of future antigenic mutants. Validation on 10932 HA sequences from the last 16 years showing that the mutated antigenic sites of over 94% of reported strains fell in our predicted profile. Meanwhile, our model can successfully capture 96% of antigenic sites in those dominant epitopes. Similar results are observed on the complete set of H3N2 historical data, supporting the general applicability of our model to multiple sub-types of influenza. Our results suggest that the mutational profile of future antigenic sites can be predicted based on historical evolutionary traces despite the widespread, random mutations in influenza. Coupled with closely monitored sequence data from influenza surveillance networks, our method can help to forecast changes in viral antigenicity for seasonal flu and inform public health interventions.
Controlled Unusual Stiffness of Mechanical Metamaterials
Authors: Lee Wooju , Kang Da-Young , Song Jihwan , Moon Jun Hyuk , Kim Dongchoul
Published: February 2016

Mechanical metamaterials that are engineered with sub-unit structures present unusual mechanical properties depending on the loading direction. Although they show promise, their practical utility has so far been somewhat limited because, to the best of our knowledge, no study about the potential of mechanical metamaterials made from sophisticatedly tailored sub-unit structures has been made. Here, we present a mechanical metamaterial whose mechanical properties can be systematically designed without changing its chemical composition or weight. We study the mechanical properties of triply periodic bicontinuous structures whose detailed sub-unit structure can be precisely fabricated using various sub-micron fabrication methods. Simulation results show that the effective wave velocity of the structures along with different directions can be designed to introduce the anisotropy of stiffness by changing a volume fraction and aspect ratio. The ratio of Young’s modulus to shear modulus can be increased by up to at least 100, which is a 3500% increase over that of isotropic material (2.8, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). Furthermore, Poisson’s ratio of the constituent material changes the ratio while Young’s modulus does not influence it. This study presents the promising potential of mechanical metamaterials for versatile industrial and biomedical applications.
Exploiting the CRISPR/Cas9 System for Targeted Genome Mutagenesis in Petunia
Authors: Zhang Bin , Yang Xia , Yang Chunping , Li Mingyang , Guo Yulong
Published: February 2016

Recently, CRISPR/Cas9 technology has emerged as a powerful approach for targeted genome modification in eukaryotic organisms from yeast to human cell lines. Its successful application in several plant species promises enormous potential for basic and applied plant research. However, extensive studies are still needed to assess this system in other important plant species, to broaden its fields of application and to improve methods. Here we showed that the CRISPR/Cas9 system is efficient in petunia (Petunia hybrid), an important ornamental plant and a model for comparative research. When PDS was used as target gene, transgenic shoot lines with albino phenotype accounted for 55.6%–87.5% of the total regenerated T0 Basta-resistant lines. A homozygous deletion close to 1 kb in length can be readily generated and identified in the first generation. A sequential transformation strategy—introducing Cas9 and sgRNA expression cassettes sequentially into petunia—can be used to make targeted mutations with short indels or chromosomal fragment deletions. Our results present a new plant species amenable to CRIPR/Cas9 technology and provide an alternative procedure for its exploitation.
Preparation and application of conducting polymer/Ag/clay composite nanoparticles formed by in situ UV-induced dispersion polymerization
Authors: Zang Limin , Qiu Jianhui , Yang Chao , Sakai Eiichi
Published: February 2016

In this work, composite nanoparticles containing polypyrrole, silver and attapulgite (PPy/Ag/ATP) were prepared via UV-induced dispersion polymerization of pyrrole using ATP clay as a templet and silver nitrate as photoinitiator. The effects of ATP concentration on morphology, structure and electrical conductivity were studied. The obtained composite nanoparticles with an interesting beads-on-a-string morphology can be obtained in a short time (10 min), which indicates the preparation method is facile and feasible. To explore the potential applications of the prepared PPy/Ag/ATP composite nanoparticles, they were served as multifunctional filler and blended with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) matrix to prepare biodegradable composite material. The distribution of fillers in polymer matrix and the interfacial interaction between fillers and PBS were confirmed by scanning electron microscope, elemental mapping and dynamic mechanical analysis. The well dispersed fillers in PBS matrix impart outstanding antibacterial property to the biodegradable composite material as well as enhanced storage modulus due to Ag nanoparticles and ATP clay. The biodegradable composite material also possesses modest surface resistivity (106 ~ 109 Ω/◻).
Internal structure of cesium-bearing radioactive microparticles released from Fukushima nuclear power plant
Authors: Yamaguchi Noriko , Mitome Masanori , Kotone Akiyama-Hasegawa , Asano Maki , Adachi Kouji , Kogure Toshihiro
Published: February 2016

Microparticles containing substantial amounts of radiocesium collected from the ground in Fukushima were investigated mainly by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray microanalysis with scanning TEM (STEM). Particles of around 2 μm in diameter are basically silicate glass containing Fe and Zn as transition metals, Cs, Rb and K as alkali ions and Sn as substantial elements. These elements are homogeneously distributed in the glass except Cs which has a concentration gradient, increasing from center to surface. Nano-sized crystallites such as copper- zinc- and molybdenum sulfide and silver telluride were found inside the microparticles, which probably resulted from the segregation of the silicate and sulfide (telluride) during molten-stage. An alkali-depleted layer of ca. 0.2 μm thick exists at the outer side of the particle collected from cedar leaves 8 months after the nuclear accident, suggesting gradual leaching of radiocesium from the microparticles in the natural environment.
Early Pleistocene climate in western arid central Asia inferred from loess-palaeosol sequences
Authors: Wang Xin , Wei Haitao , Taheri Mehdi , Khormali Farhad , Danukalova Guzel , Chen Fahu
Published: February 2016

Arid central Asia (ACA) is one of the most arid regions in the mid-latitudes and one of the main potential dust sources for the northern hemisphere. The lack of in situ early Pleistocene loess/dust records from ACA hinders our comprehensive understanding of the spatio-temporal record of aeolian loess accumulation and long term climatic changes in Asia as a whole. Here, we report the results of sedimentological, chronological and climatic studies of early Pleistocene loess-palaeosol sequences (LPS) from the northeastern Iranian Golestan Province (NIGP) in the western part of ACA. Our results reveal that: 1) Accumulation of loess on the NIGP commenced at ~2.4–1.8 Ma, making it the oldest loess known so far in western ACA; 2) the climate during the early Pleistocene in the NIGP was semi-arid, but wetter, warmer, and less windy than during the late Pleistocene and present interglacial; 3) orbital-scale palaeoclimatic changes in ACA during the early Pleistoceneare in-phase with those of monsoonal Asia, a relationship which was probably related to the growth and decay of northern hemisphere ice sheets.
A molecular mechanism realizing sequence-specific recognition of nucleic acids by TDP-43
Authors: Furukawa Yoshiaki , Suzuki Yoh , Fukuoka Mami , Nagasawa Kenichi , Nakagome Kenta , Shimizu Hideaki , Mukaiyama Atsushi , Akiyama Shuji
Published: February 2016

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a DNA/RNA-binding protein containing two consecutive RNA recognition motifs (RRM1 and RRM2) in tandem. Functional abnormality of TDP-43 has been proposed to cause neurodegeneration, but it remains obscure how the physiological functions of this protein are regulated. Here, we show distinct roles of RRM1 and RRM2 in the sequence-specific substrate recognition of TDP-43. RRM1 was found to bind a wide spectrum of ssDNA sequences, while no binding was observed between RRM2 and ssDNA. When two RRMs are fused in tandem as in native TDP-43, the fused construct almost exclusively binds ssDNA with a TG-repeat sequence. In contrast, such sequence-specificity was not observed in a simple mixture of RRM1 and RRM2. We thus propose that the spatial arrangement of multiple RRMs in DNA/RNA binding proteins provides steric effects on the substrate-binding site and thereby controls the specificity of its substrate nucleotide sequences.
Electrochemical sensing of etoposide using carbon quantum dot modified glassy carbon electrode
Authors: Nguyen Hoai Viet , Richtera Lukas , Moulick Amitava , Xhaxhiu Kledi , Kudr Jiri , Cernei Natalia , Polanska Hana , Heger Zbynek , Masarik Michal , Kopel Pavel , Stiborova Marie , Eckschlager Tomas , Adam Vojtech , Kizek Rene
Published: February 2016

In this study, carbon quantum dots were used for enhancement of the electrochemical signals of etoposide.
Unique piezochromic fluorescence behavior of organic crystal of carbazole-substituted CNDSB
Authors: Feng Cunfang , Wang Kai , Xu Yuanxiang , Liu Liqun , Zou Bo , Lu Ping
Published: February 2016

CzCNDSB crystal possesses an inside pore and orderly arrayed channel, which can sense external pressure from 1.0 atm to as high as 9.21 GPa reversibly and reproducibly, accompanied by visible color changes.
Photothermally actuated interfacial hydration for fast friction switch on hydrophilic polymer brush modified PDMS sheet incorporated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Guoqiang , Cai Meirong , Feng Yange , Wang Xiaolong , Zhou Feng , Liu Weimin
Published: February 2016

A near-infrared light triggered fast interfacial friction switch was achieved with polyelectrolyte brush grafted PDMS embedded with Fe3O4 nanoparticles.
Cascade DNA logic device programmed ratiometric DNA analysis and logic devices based on a fluorescent dual-signal probe of a G-quadruplex DNAzyme
Authors: Fan Daoqing , Zhu Jinbo , Zhai Qingfeng , Wang Erkang , Dong Shaojun
Published: February 2016

Two fluorescence sensitive substrates of G4 DNAzyme with inverse responses were simultaneously used to a cascade advanced DNA logic device based DNA analysis for the first time.
Single crystal forms induced diverse interface structures in TiO2 (B)/anatase dual-phase nanocomposites
Authors: Sun Jie , Lei Yimin , Liu Hongwei , Ringer S. P. , Liu Zongwen
Published: February 2016

Two types of TiO2 (B) single crystal forms (SCF) and the induced TiO2 (B)/anatase interfaces with different orientation relationships are investigated by TEM. The dominated (001} SCF is confirmed to reveal larger nanotunnels at the interface which suggests an enhanced Li+ transport properties.
Internal conversion and intersystem crossing in α,β-enones: a combination of electronic structure calculations and dynamics simulations
Authors: Cao Jun , Xie Zhi-Zhong
Published: February 2016

The geometrical constraint of the ring gives rise to a smaller spin–orbital coupling in the singlet–triplet crossing region, resulting in a lower intersystem crossing rate.
Visible light photoredox-controlled reactions of N-radicals and radical ions
Authors: Chen Jia-Rong , Hu Xiao-Qiang , Lu Liang-Qiu , Xiao Wen-Jing
Published: February 2016

Radicals are an important class of versatile and highly reactive species.
Chlorophosphines as auxiliary ligands in ruthenium-catalyzed nitrile hydration reactions: application to the preparation of β-ketoamides
Authors: González-Fernández Rebeca , González-Liste Pedro J. , Borge Javier , Crochet Pascale , Cadierno Victorio
Published: February 2016

The utility of chlorophosphines as auxiliary ligands in metal-catalyzed nitrile hydration reactions has been demonstrated, along with their application in the preparation of β-ketoamides.
Stabilization of Cu7 clusters in azide networks: syntheses, structures and magnetic behaviour
Authors: Mistry Subhradeep , Sutter Jean-Pascal , Natarajan Srinivasan
Published: February 2016

Two CuII azide compounds having Cu7 clusters have been prepared, by employing two different blocking amines with different denticities, and their magnetic behaviour is described and discussed.
Giant pyroelectric energy harvesting and a negative electrocaloric effect in multilayered nanostructures
Authors: Vats Gaurav , Kumar Ashok , Ortega Nora , Bowen Chris R. , Katiyar Ram S.
Published: February 2016

This work examines the potential of PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3/CoFe2O4 (PZT/CFO) multi-layered nanostructures (MLNs) to achieve a giant electrocaloric effect (ECE) and enhanced pyroelectric energy harvesting.
Gas phase hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone over supported Ni catalysts with formic acid as hydrogen source
Authors: Varkolu Mohan , Velpula Venkateshwarlu , Burri David Raju , Kamaraju Seetha Rama Rao
Published: February 2016

An efficient route for the transformation of levulinic acid without an external hydrogen source in a continuous process over supported Ni catalysts.
A novel Ag deposited nanocoordination polymer derived porous SnO2/NiO heteronanostructure for the enhanced photocatalytic reduction of Cr(vi) under visible light
Authors: Rakibuddin Md. , Ananthakrishnan Rajakumar
Published: February 2016

A novel silver deposited SnO2/NiO heteronanostructure is prepared and applied for the photocatalytic reduction of toxic aqueous Cr(vi) under visible light conditions.
pH sensitive coiled coils: a strategy for enhanced liposomal drug delivery
Authors: Reja Rahi M. , Khan Mohsina , Singh Sumeet K. , Misra Rajkumar , Shiras Anjali , Gopi Hosahudya N.
Published: February 2016

Design of pH sensitive coiled coils and their incorporation into the liposome vesicles as triggers for the controlled release of encapsulated drugs are reported.
Triggering the approach of an arene or heteroarene towards an aldehyde via Lewis acid–aldehyde communication
Authors: Pratihar Sanjay
Published: February 2016

A combined experimental/computational study of the Lewis acid promoted hydroxyalkylation reaction involving aldehyde and arene/heteroarene reveals a mechanism in which the rate determining aldehyde to alcohol formation involves a transfer of hydrogen and the breaking of the C–H bond and formation of C–C and O–H bonds.
Coherence and organisation in lanthanoid complexes: from single ion magnets to spin qubits
Authors: Gaita-Ariño Alejandro , Prima-García Helena , Cardona-Serra Salvador , Escalera-Moreno Luis , Rosaleny Lorena E. , Baldoví José J.
Published: February 2016

Molecular magnetism is reaching a degree of development that will allow for the rational design of sophisticated systems.
Effect of a static magnetic field on the preparation of MnOOH and Mn3O4 by a hydrothermal process
Authors: Dong L. C. , Zhong Y. B. , Zhe S. , Zheng T. Y. , Wang H.
Published: February 2016

In this paper, the shape of the samples was changed by the magnetic field. Single-crystalline nanowires (20 nm in diameter and 1 μm in length) of MnOOH were obtained under zero magnetic fields. However, cubic particles of Mn3O4 were formed when a magnetic field was applied.
Use of graphene oxide in achieving high overall thermal properties of polymer for printed electronics
Authors: Zhou Tianle , Liu Fei , Suganuma Katsuaki , Nagao Shijo
Published: February 2016

Superiority of ‘thick’ graphene oxide in simultaneously enhancing both the thermal conductivity and the dimensional and structural thermal stability of epoxy.
Hydrogen generation enhanced by nano-forest structures
Authors: Seo Keumyoung , Lim Taekyung , Mills Edmund M. , Kim Sangtae , Ju Sanghyun
Published: February 2016

A hierarchical structure of one-dimensional CeO2/SnO2 core–shell nanowires on a three-dimensional porous disk (namely the “nanowire forest”) could maximize the reaction surface area and avoid coarsening during hydrogen generation.
N-Doped and Cu-doped TiO2-B nanowires with enhanced photoelectrochemical activity
Authors: Su Jingjie , Li Zhaodong , Zhang Yongquan , Wei Yingjin , Wang Xudong
Published: February 2016

Cu-Doped and N-doped TiO2-B nanowires show enhanced photoelectrochemical performance due to improved electrical and optical property, respectively.
Ultrasound-assisted recovery of free-standing high-aspect-ratio micropillars
Authors: Liu Hongzhong , Lei Biao , Jiang Weitao , Li Yonghao , Yin Lei , Chen Bangdao , Shi Yongsheng
Published: February 2016

High-aspect-ratio polymer micropillar arrays are widely employed in microfluidics and microdevices.
Improvement of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the multicolor detection of biomarkers
Authors: Li Chao , Yang Yucai , Wu Dan , Li Tianqi , Yin Yongmei , Li Genxi
Published: February 2016

An activatable graphene-based nanoprobe is used to develop a multicolor immunosorbent assay for the detection of tumor protein biomarkers.
High-resolution measurement of long-range distances in RNA: pulse EPR spectroscopy with TEMPO-labeled nucleotides
Authors: Halbmair Karin , Seikowski Jan , Tkach Igor , Höbartner Claudia , Sezer Deniz , Bennati Marina
Published: February 2016

Distance measurements in RNAs by pulse EPR with TEMPO-labeled nucleotides allow for model free conversion of distances into base-pair separation.
Spontaneously polarized lithium-doped zinc oxide nanowires as photoanodes for electrical water splitting
Authors: Lee Hyun Joo , Shin Sung-Ho , Nam Ki Tae , Nah Junghyo , Lee Min Hyung
Published: February 2016

Ferroelectric Li-doped ZnO nanowires have been examined as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting and systematically investigated poling effects. Positively polarized PEC electrodes demonstrated ~200% improved STH efficiency compared with negatively polarized ones.
EDOT–diketopyrrolopyrrole copolymers for polymer solar cells
Authors: Wang Chao , Mueller Christian J. , Gann Eliot , Liu Amelia C. Y. , Thelakkat Mukundan , McNeill Christopher R.
Published: February 2016

The photovoltaic properties of a series of EDOT-containing DPP polymers with optical band gap as low as 1.13 eV are reported.
Organic nanophotonic materials: the relationship between excited-state processes and photonic performances
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhao Yong Sheng
Published: February 2016

Organic active nanophotonics: excited-state coupled photonic behaviours strongly determine the optical performances of organic nanomaterials. The photonic actions and related material properties can be well controlled by tailoring the intra/inter-molecular excited-state processes.
Interlocked supramolecular glycoconjugated polymers for receptor-targeting theranostics
Authors: Dou Wei-Tao , Zhang Yue , Lv Ying , Wu Jiatao , Zang Yi , Tan Chunyan , Li Jia , Chen Guo-Rong , He Xiao-Peng
Published: February 2016

We report an interlocked supramolecular ensemble formed between a conjugated polymer (CP) and a fluorescent glycoprobe for receptor-targeting cancer cell theranostics.
Activated mesoporous carbon nanofibers fabricated using water etching-assisted templating for high-performance electrochemical capacitors
Authors: An Geon-Hyoung , Koo Bon-Ryul , Ahn Hyo-Jin
Published: February 2016

Activated mesoporous carbon nanofibers are synthesized by a sequential process of electrospinning, water etching-assisted templating, and acid treatment, which exhibit outstanding capacitive performance.
Effects of the position and number of bromine substituents on the concentration-mediated 2D self-assembly of phenanthrene derivatives
Authors: Hu Xingyu , Zha Bao , Wu Yican , Miao Xinrui , Deng Wenli
Published: February 2016

Br⋯Br halogen bonding exists in the self-assembly of 2,7-DBHP, whereas the driving force for the assembly of 3,6-DBHP is Br⋯Br vdWs type interactions.
Modelling metal centres, acid sites and reaction mechanisms in microporous catalysts
Authors: O'Malley Alexander J. , Logsdail A. J. , Sokol A. A. , Catlow C. R. A.
Published: February 2016

We discuss the role of QM/MM (embedded cluster) computational techniques in catalytic science, in particular their application to microporous catalysis. We describe the methodologies employed and illustrate their utility by briefly summarising work on metal centres in zeolites. We then report a detailed investigation into the behaviour of methanol at acidic sites in zeolites H-ZSM-5 and H-Y in the context of the methanol-to-hydrocarbons/olefins process. Studying key initial steps of the reaction (the adsorption and subsequent methoxylation), we probe the effect of framework topology and Brønsted acid site location on the energetics of these initial processes. We find that although methoxylation is endothermic with respect to the adsorbed system (by 17–56 kJ mol−1 depending on the location), there are intriguing correlations between the adsorption/reaction energies and the geometries of the adsorbed species, of particular significance being the coordination of methyl hydrogens. These observations emphasise the importance of adsorbate coordination with the framework in zeolite catalysed conversions, and how this may vary with framework topology and site location, particularly suited to investigation by QM/MM techniques.
Regioselective ortho-trifluoromethylthiolation of 2-arylbenzo[d]thiazole via tandem substrate-assisted C–H iodination and trifluoromethylthiolation
Authors: Luo Puying , Ding Qiuping , Ping Yuanyuan , Hu Jianan
Published: February 2016

A mild and efficient tandem benzo[d]thiazole directed C–H iodination and trifluoromethylthiolation for the synthesis ofortho-trifluoromethylthiolated 2-arylbenzo[d]thiazoles have been developed using AgSCF3as a coupling partner.
Vibrational spectroscopic and bond valence study of structure and bonding in Al2O3-containing AgI–AgPO3 glasses
Authors: Palles D. , Konidakis I. , Varsamis C. P. E. , Kamitsos E. I.
Published: February 2016

We present a detailed investigation of the effects of synthesis conditions on glasses xAgI–(1 − x)AgPO3 with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4.
Graphene-constructed flower-like porous Co(OH)2 with tunable hierarchical morphologies for supercapacitors
Authors: Huang Qi , Wang Jinzuan , Liu Fan , Chang Xing , Chen Hongyan , Lin Hualin , Han Sheng
Published: February 2016

Graphene-constructed flower-like porous Co(OH)2 (GFC) composites were prepared using a one-pot hydrothermal process.
Asymmetric immobilization of antibodies on a piezo-resistive micro-cantilever surface
Authors: Agarwal Dilip Kumar , Maheshwari Nidhi , Mukherji Soumyo , Rao V. Ramgopal
Published: February 2016

For cantilever-based MEMS sensors, selective chemical modification of the sensing surface is used for the detection of chemical and biological analytes.
A novel Co/TiO2 nanocomposite derived from a metal–organic framework: synthesis and efficient microwave absorption
Authors: Zhang Xingmiao , Ji Guangbin , Liu Wei , Zhang Xingxin , Gao Qingwen , Li Yuchun , Du Youwei
Published: February 2016

Two coated titanium oxide (TiO2) routes are designed to prepare core–shell Co@NPC@TiO2 (NPC: nanoporous carbon) and C–ZIF-67@TiO2 (ZIF-67: zeolitic imidazolate framework-67) with a multi-interfaced yolk–shell structure.
Acetylcholinesterase immobilization and characterization, and comparison of the activity of the porous silicon-immobilized enzyme with its free counterpart
Authors: Saleem Muhammad , Rafiq Muhammad , Seo Sung-Yum , Lee Ki Hwan
Published: February 2016

A successful prescription is presented for acetylcholinesterase physically adsorbed on to a mesoporous silicon surface, with a promising hydrolytic response towards acetylthiocholine iodide. The catalytic behaviour of the immobilized enzyme was assessed by spectrophotometric bioassay using neostigmine methyl sulfate as a standard acetycholinesterase inhibitor. The surface modification was studied through field emission SEM, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, cathode luminescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, photoluminescence measurement and spectrophotometric bioassay. The porous silicon-immobilized enzyme not only yielded greater enzyme stability, but also significantly improved the native photoluminescence at room temperature of the bare porous silicon architecture. The results indicated the promising catalytic behaviour of immobilized enzyme compared with that of its free counterpart, with a greater stability, and that it aided reusability and easy separation from the reaction mixture. The porous silicon-immobilized enzyme was found to retain 50% of its activity, promising thermal stability up to 90°C, reusability for up to three cycles, pH stability over a broad pH of 4–9 and a shelf-life of 44 days, with an optimal hydrolytic response towards acetylthiocholine iodide at variable drug concentrations. On the basis of these findings, it was believed that the porous silicon-immobilized enzyme could be exploited as a reusable biocatalyst and for screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from crude plant extracts and synthesized organic compounds. Moreover, the immobilized enzyme could offer a great deal as a viable biocatalyst in bioprocessing for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and bioremediation to enhance productivity and robustness.
Analytical determination of conduction power loss and investigation of switching power loss for modified flying capacitor multicell converters
Authors: Sadigh Arash Khoshkbar , Dargahi Vahid , Corzine Keith
Published: February 2016

Considering advantages of modified flying capacitor multicell (MFCM) converter over conventional flying capacitor multicell converter, and noting that conduction loss investigation can be very advantageous in design phase of multilevel converters, this study presents an analytical approach to calculate and investigate conduction losses in MFCM converters. First, rms and average currents of insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and anti‐parallel diodes are analytically calculated by considering the associated duty cycle of each IGBT/diode in terms of the converter modulation index, load current, and load power factor. Numerical results of derived closed‐form equations to calculate rms and average currents of IGBTs/diodes are compared with simulation results and experimental measurements. All simulation, analytic, and experimental results agree well with each other which validate derived closed‐form equations. Afterwards, derived equations for rms and average current computations are utilised to calculate the conduction power losses in a 12.4 MVA, 3.3 kV, nine‐level (line‐to‐line) MFCM converter. A 2.5 kV, 1.5 kA IGBT module from ABB is considered as a power switch in the performed case study for MFCM converter. In addition, switching power loss investigation is performed using numeric approach and curve‐fitting method for aforementioned MFCM converter. Comparative analysis and evaluation of conduction and switching losses are presented.