bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creating a zero-order resonator using an optical surface transformation
Authors: Sun Fei , Ge Xiaochen , He Sailing
Published: February 2016

A novel zero-order resonator has been designed by an optical surface transformation (OST) method. The resonator proposed here has many novel features. Firstly, the mode volume can be very small (e.g. in the subwavelength scale). Secondly, the resonator is open (no reflecting walls are utilized) and resonant effects can be found in a continuous spectrum (i.e. a continuum of eigenmodes). Thirdly, we only need one homogenous medium to realize the proposed resonator. The shape of the resonator can be a ring structure of arbitrary shape. In addition to the natural applications (e.g. optical storage) of an optical resonator, we also suggest some other applications of our novel optical open resonator (e.g. power combination, squeezing electromagnetic energy in the free space).
Population structure and minimum core genome typing of Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Qin Tian , Zhang Wen , Liu Wenbin , Zhou Haijian , Ren Hongyu , Shao Zhujun , Lan Ruiting , Xu Jianguo
Published: February 2016

Legionella pneumophila is an important human pathogen causing Legionnaires’ disease. In this study, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to study the characteristics and population structure of L. pneumophila strains. We sequenced and compared 53 isolates of L. pneumophila covering different serogroups and sequence-based typing (SBT) types (STs). We found that 1,896 single-copy orthologous genes were shared by all isolates and were defined as the minimum core genome (MCG) of L. pneumophila. A total of 323,224 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified among the 53 strains. After excluding 314,059 SNPs which were likely to be results of recombination, the remaining 9,165 SNPs were referred to as MCG SNPs. Population Structure analysis based on MCG divided the 53 L. pneumophila into nine MCG groups. The within-group distances were much smaller than the between-group distances, indicating considerable divergence between MCG groups. MCG groups were also supplied by phylogenetic analysis and may be considered as robust taxonomic units within L. pneumophila. Among the nine MCG groups, eight showed high intracellular growth ability while one showed low intracellular growth ability. Furthermore, MCG typing also showed high resolution in subtyping ST1 strains. The results obtained in this study provided significant insights into the evolution, population structure and pathogenicity of L. pneumophila.
Hydrate-based heavy metal separation from aqueous solution
Authors: Song Yongchen , Dong Hongsheng , Yang Lei , Yang Mingjun , Li Yanghui , Ling Zheng , Zhao Jiafei
Published: February 2016

A novel hydrate-based method is proposed for separating heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. We report the first batch of experiments and removal characteristics in this paper, the effectiveness and feasibility of which are verified by Raman spectroscopy analysis and cross-experiment. 88.01–90.82% of removal efficiencies for Cr3+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ were obtained. Further study showed that higher R141b–effluent volume ratio contributed to higher enrichment factor and yield of dissociated water, while lower R141b–effluent volume ratio resulted in higher removal efficiency. This study provides insights into low-energy, intensive treatment of wastewater.
A Radio-genomics Approach for Identifying High Risk Estrogen Receptor-positive Breast Cancers on DCE-MRI: Preliminary Results in Predicting OncotypeDX Risk Scores
Authors: Wan Tao , Bloch B. Nicolas , Plecha Donna , Thompson CheryI L. , Gilmore Hannah , Jaffe Carl , Harris Lyndsay , Madabhushi Anant
Published: February 2016

To identify computer extracted imaging features for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers on dynamic contrast en-hanced (DCE)-MRI that are correlated with the low and high OncotypeDX risk categories. We collected 96 ER-positivebreast lesions with low (<18, N = 55) and high (>30, N = 41) OncotypeDX recurrence scores. Each lesion was quantitatively charac-terize via 6 shape features, 3 pharmacokinetics, 4 enhancement kinetics, 4 intensity kinetics, 148 textural kinetics, 5 dynamic histogram of oriented gradient (DHoG), and 6 dynamic local binary pattern (DLBP) features. The extracted features were evaluated by a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classifier in terms of their ability to distinguish low and high OncotypeDX risk categories. Classification performance was evaluated by area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (Az). The DHoG and DLBP achieved Az values of 0.84 and 0.80, respectively. The 6 top features identified via feature selection were subsequently combined with the LDA classifier to yield an Az of 0.87. The correlation analysis showed that DHoG (ρ = 0.85, P < 0.001) and DLBP (ρ = 0.83, P < 0.01) were significantly associated with the low and high risk classifications from the OncotypeDX assay. Our results indicated that computer extracted texture features of DCE-MRI were highly correlated with the high and low OncotypeDX risk categories for ER-positive cancers.
Cell surface localization of importin α1/KPNA2 affects cancer cell proliferation by regulating FGF1 signalling
Authors: Yamada Kohji , Miyamoto Yoichi , Tsujii Akira , Moriyama Tetsuji , Ikuno Yudai , Shiromizu Takashi , Serada Satoshi , Fujimoto Minoru , Tomonaga Takeshi , Naka Tetsuji , Yoneda Yoshihiro , Oka Masahiro
Published: February 2016

Importin α1 is involved in nuclear import as a receptor for proteins with a classical nuclear localization signal (cNLS). Here, we report that importin α1 is localized to the cell surface in several cancer cell lines and detected in their cultured medium. We also found that exogenously added importin α1 is associated with the cell membrane via interaction with heparan sulfate. Furthermore, we revealed that the cell surface importin α1 recognizes cNLS-containing substrates. More particularly, importin α1 bound directly to FGF1 and FGF2, secreted cNLS-containing growth factors and addition of exogenous importin α1 enhanced the activation of ERK1/2, downstream targets of FGF1 signalling, in FGF1-stimulated cancer cells. Additionally, anti-importin α1 antibody treatment suppressed the importin α1−FGF1 complex formation and ERK1/2 activation, resulting in decreased cell growth. This study provides novel evidence that functional importin α1 is located at the cell surface, where it accelerates the proliferation of cancer cells.
Transdermal Delivery of siRNA through Microneedle Array
Authors: Deng Yan , Chen Jiao , Zhao Yi , Yan Xiaohui , Zhang Li , Choy Kwongwai , Hu Jun , Sant Himanshu J. , Gale Bruce K. , Tang Tao
Published: February 2016

Successful development of siRNA therapies has significant potential for the treatment of skin conditions (alopecia, allergic skin diseases, hyperpigmentation, psoriasis, skin cancer, pachyonychia congenital) caused by aberrant gene expression. Although hypodermic needles can be used to effectively deliver siRNA through the stratum corneum, the major challenge is that this approach is painful and the effects are restricted to the injection site. Microneedle arrays may represent a better way to deliver siRNAs across the stratum corneum. In this study, we evaluated for the first time the ability of the solid silicon microneedle array for punching holes to deliver cholesterol-modified housekeeping gene (Gapdh) siRNA to the mouse ear skin. Treating the ear with microneedles showed permeation of siRNA in the skin and could reduce Gapdh gene expression up to 66% in the skin without accumulation in the major organs. The results showed that microneedle arrays could effectively deliver siRNA to relevant regions of the skin noninvasively.
A tRNA methyltransferase paralog is important for ribosome stability and cell division in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Fleming Ian M. C. , Paris Zdeněk , Gaston Kirk W. , Balakrishnan R. , Fredrick Kurt , Rubio Mary Anne T. , Alfonzo Juan D.
Published: February 2016

Most eukaryotic ribosomes contain 26/28S, 5S, and 5.8S large subunit ribosomal RNAs (LSU rRNAs) in addition to the 18S rRNA of the small subunit (SSU rRNA). However, in kinetoplastids, a group of organisms that include medically important members of the genus Trypanosoma and Leishmania, the 26/28S large subunit ribosomal RNA is uniquely composed of 6 rRNA fragments. In addition, recent studies have shown the presence of expansion segments in the large ribosomal subunit (60S) of Trypanosoma brucei. Given these differences in structure, processing and assembly, T. brucei ribosomes may require biogenesis factors not found in other organisms. Here, we show that one of two putative 3-methylcytidine methyltransferases, TbMTase37 (a homolog of human methyltransferase-like 6, METTL6), is important for ribosome stability in T. brucei. TbMTase37 localizes to the nucleolus and depletion of the protein results in accumulation of ribosomal particles lacking srRNA 4 and reduced levels of polysome associated ribosomes. We also find that TbMTase37 plays a role in cytokinesis, as loss of the protein leads to multi-flagellated and multi-nucleated cells.
Structural and biochemical characterization of an RNA/DNA binding motif in the N-terminal domain of RecQ4 helicases
Authors: Marino Francesca , Mojumdar Aditya , Zucchelli Chiara , Bhardwaj Amit , Buratti Emanuele , Vindigni Alessandro , Musco Giovanna , Onesti Silvia
Published: February 2016

The RecQ4 helicase belongs to the ubiquitous RecQ family but its exact role in the cell is not completely understood. In addition to the helicase domain, RecQ4 has a unique N-terminal part that is essential for viability and is constituted by a region homologous to the yeast Sld2 replication initiation factor, followed by a cysteine-rich region, predicted to fold as a Zn knuckle. We carried out a structural and biochemical analysis of both the human and Xenopus laevis RecQ4 cysteine-rich regions and showed by NMR spectroscopy that the Xenopus fragment indeed assumes the canonical Zn knuckle fold, whereas the human sequence remains unstructured, consistent with the mutation of one of the Zn ligands. Both the human and Xenopus Zn knuckles bind to a variety of nucleic acid substrates, with a mild preference for RNA. We also investigated the effect of a segment located upstream the Zn knuckle that is highly conserved and rich in positively charged and aromatic residues, partially overlapping with the C-terminus of the Sld2-like domain. In both the human and Xenopus proteins, the presence of this region strongly enhances binding to nucleic acids. These results reveal novel possible roles of RecQ4 in DNA replication and genome stability.
Generation of elliptically polarized nitrogen ion laser fields using two-color femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: Li Ziting , Zeng Bin , Chu Wei , Xie Hongqiang , Yao Jinping , Li Guihua , Qiao Lingling , Wang Zhanshan , Cheng Ya
Published: February 2016

We experimentally investigate generation of nitrogen molecular ion ("Equation missing") lasers with two femtosecond laser pulses at different wavelengths. The first pulse serves as the pump which ionizes the nitrogen molecules and excites the molecular ions to excited electronic states. The second pulse serves as the probe which leads to stimulated emission from the excited molecular ions. We observe that changing the angle between the polarization directions of the two pulses gives rise to elliptically polarized "Equation missing" laser fields, which is interpreted as a result of strong birefringence of the gain medium near the wavelengths of the "Equation missing" laser.
The cannabinoid quinol VCE-004.8 alleviates bleomycin-induced scleroderma and exerts potent antifibrotic effects through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and CB2 pathways
Authors: del Río Carmen , Navarrete Carmen , Collado Juan A. , Bellido M. Luz , Gómez-Cañas María , Pazos M. Ruth , Fernández-Ruiz Javier , Pollastro Federica , Appendino Giovanni , Calzado Marco A. , Cantarero Irene , Muñoz Eduardo
Published: February 2016

Scleroderma is a group of rare diseases associated with early and transient inflammation and vascular injury, followed by fibrosis affecting the skin and multiple internal organs. Fibroblast activation is the hallmark of scleroderma and disrupting the intracellular TGFβ signaling may provide a novel approach to controlling fibrosis. Because of its potential role in modulating inflammatory and fibrotic responses, both PPARγ and CB2 receptors represent attractive targets for the development of cannabinoid-based therapies. We have developed a non-thiophilic and chemically stable derivative of the CBD quinol (VCE-004.8) that behaves as a dual agonist of PPARγ and CB2 receptors, VCE-004.8 inhibited TGFβ-induced Col1A2 gene transcription and collagen synthesis. Moreover, VCE-004.8 inhibited TGFβ–mediated myofibroblast differentiation and impaired wound-healing activity. The anti-fibrotic efficacy in vivo was investigated in a murine model of dermal fibrosis induced by bleomycin. VCE-004.8 reduced dermal thickness, blood vessels collagen accumulation and prevented mast cell degranulation and macrophage infiltration in the skin. These effects were impaired by the PPARγ antagonist T0070907 and the CB2 antagonist AM630. In addition, VCE-004.8 downregulated the expression of several key genes associated with fibrosis, qualifying this semi-synthetic cannabinoid as a novel compound for the management of scleroderma and, potentially, other fibrotic diseases.
TRPV-1-mediated elimination of residual iPS cells in bioengineered cardiac cell sheet tissues
Authors: Matsuura Katsuhisa , Seta Hiroyoshi , Haraguchi Yuji , Alsayegh Khaled , Sekine Hidekazu , Shimizu Tatsuya , Hagiwara Nobuhisa , Yamazaki Kenji , Okano Teruo
Published: February 2016

The development of a suitable strategy for eliminating remaining undifferentiated cells is indispensable for the use of human-induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived cells in regenerative medicine. Here, we show for the first time that TRPV-1 activation through transient culture at 42 °C in combination with agonists is a simple and useful strategy to eliminate iPS cells from bioengineered cardiac cell sheet tissues. When human iPS cells were cultured at 42 °C, almost all cells disappeared by 48 hours through apoptosis. However, iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts maintained transcriptional and protein expression levels and cardiac cell sheets were fabricated after reducing the temperature. TRPV-1 expression in iPS cells was upregulated at 42 °C and iPS cell death at 42 °C was TRPV-1-dependent. Furthermore, TRPV-1 activation through thermal or agonist treatment eliminated iPS cells in cardiac tissues for a final concentration of 0.4% iPS cell contamination. These findings suggest that the difference in tolerance to TRPV-1 activation between iPS cells and iPS cell-derived cardiac cells could be exploited to eliminate remaining iPS cells in bioengineered cell sheet tissues, which will further reduce the risk of tumour formation.
Image processing methods to elucidate spatial characteristics of retinal microglia after optic nerve transection
Authors: Zhang Yudong , Peng Bo , Wang Shuihua , Liang Yu-Xiang , Yang Jiquan , So Kwok-Fai , Yuan Ti-Fei
Published: February 2016

Microglia are the mononuclear phagocytes with various functions in the central nervous system and the morphologies of microglia imply the different stages and functions. In optical nerve transection model of the retina, the retrograde degeneration of retinal ganglion cells induces microglial activations to a unique morphology termed rod microglia. A few studies described the rod microglia in the cortex and retina; however, the spatial characteristic of rod microglia is not fully understood. In this study, we built a mathematical model to characterize the spatial trait of rod microglia. In addition, we developed a Matlab-based image processing pipeline that consists of log enhancement, image segmentation, mathematical morphology based cell detection, area calculation and angle analysis. This computer program provides researchers a powerful tool to quickly analyze the spatial trait of rod microglia.
Ionic liquid electrolytes for reversible magnesium electrochemistry
Authors: Kar Mega , Ma Zheng , Azofra Luis Miguel , Chen Kun , Forsyth Maria , MacFarlane Douglas R.
Published: February 2016

Mg has great potential as the basis for a safe, low cost energy storage technology, however, cycling of magnesium is difficult to achieve in most electrolytes.
Mechanistic investigation of trimethylamine-N-oxide reduction catalysed by biomimetic molybdenum enzyme models
Authors: Fortino M. , Marino T. , Russo N. , Sicilia E.
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we report a theoretical investigation of the reduction reaction mechanism of Me3NO using molybdenum containing systems that are functional and structural analogues of trimethylamine N-oxide reductase mononuclear molybdenum enzyme.
Efficiencies of thermodynamics when temperature-dependent energy levels exist
Authors: Yamano Takuya
Published: February 2016

Based on a generalized form of the second law of thermodynamics, in which the temperature-dependent energy levels of a system are appropriately included in entropy generation, we show that the effect reasonably appears in efficiencies of thermodynamic processes.
Recent advances in enantioselective gold catalysis
Authors: Zi Weiwei , Dean Toste F.
Published: February 2016

This review highlights advances in enantioselective gold catalysis over the past five years.
Aminopiperidine based complexes for lactide polymerisation
Authors: McKeown P. , Davidson M. G. , Lowe J. P. , Mahon M. F. , Thomas L. H. , Woodman T. J. , Jones M. D.
Published: February 2016

A series of new ligands based on a 2-(aminomethyl)piperidine motif have been prepared. An interesting diversity in structure is observed, all complexes have been trialled for the polymerisation of rac-lactide.
Exploring the coordinative adaptation and molecular shapes of trinuclear CuII2MII (M = Zn/Cd) complexes derived from salen type Schiff bases: structural and theoretical studies
Authors: Hazari Alokesh , Das Lakshmi Kanta , Bauzá Antonio , Frontera Antonio , Ghosh Ashutosh
Published: February 2016

Structural analyses and DFT studies of three new hetero-metallic compounds established that a slight modification in the ligand system or changes in the central metal ion can stabilize interesting novel structures with thiocyanate ion.
Mixed triorganobismuthines RAr2Bi [Ar = C6F5, 2,4,6-(C6F5)3C6H2] and hypervalent racemic Bi-chiral diorganobismuth(iii) bromides RArBiBr (Ar = C6F5, Mes, Ph) with the ligand R = 2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4. Influences of the organic substituent
Authors: Olaru Marian , Nema Mihai G. , Soran Albert , Breunig Hans J. , Silvestru Cristian
Published: February 2016

RAr2Bi and chiral RArBiBr were structurally characterized; N–Bi bond distances in RArBiBr appear to be similar regardless of the electronic properties of the Ar ligand.
Adjuvant properties of water extractable arabinoxylans with different structural features from wheat flour against model antigen ovalbumin
Authors: Ma Xiaoling , Wang Lili , Wei Hongyan , Huo Xiaowei , Wang Canhong , Liu Dongyu , Zhou Sumei , Cao Li
Published: February 2016

Despite the numerous benefits of AX on the immune system and gut bacteria, the potential adjuvant activity of WEAX on immune responses has not been adequately investigated.
Reduction in E-cadherin expression fosters migration of Xenopus laevis primordial germ cells
Authors: Baronsky Thilo , Dzementsei Aliaksandr , Oelkers Marieelen , Melchert Juliane , Pieler Tomas , Janshoff Andreas
Published: February 2016

Migratory PGCs fromXenopus laevisdisplay smaller adhesion forces in contact with E-cadherin coated surfaces.
Crosstalk of dynamic functional modules in lung development of rhesus macaques
Authors: Yu Xuexin , Feng Lin , Han Zujing , Wu Bo , Wang Shuyuan , Xiao Yun , Li Feng , Zhang Lianfeng , Cao Bangrong , Di Xuebing , Lu Dan , Li Xia , Jiang Wei , Zhang Kaitai , Cheng Shujun
Published: February 2016

Our study presents the landscape of gene expression of lung development of rhesus macaques, and provides an extended insight into the lung development mechanism.
Electrode materials with tailored facets for electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Wang Faxing , Wang Xiaowei , Chang Zheng , Zhu Yusong , Fu Lijun , Liu Xiang , Wu Yuping
Published: February 2016

This review highlights electrode materials with predominantly exposed facets facilitating better electrochemical performances in electrochemical energy storage applications.
Effects of anion substitution on hydration, ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of anion-exchange membranes
Authors: Pasquini L. , Di Vona M. L. , Knauth P.
Published: February 2016

Ionic conductivity and the mechanical properties of ionomers with various anions.
Au/TiO2catalyzed reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones using formic acid as reductant
Authors: Liang Shengzong , Monsen Paige , Hammond Gerald B. , Xu Bo
Published: February 2016

The combination of commercial easily available Au/TiO2as catalyst and cost-effective formic acid as reductant was able to render reductive amination of various carbonyl compounds.
The synthesis of chiral triphenylpyrrole derivatives and their aggregation-induced emission enhancement, aggregation-induced circular dichroism and helical self-assembly
Authors: Liang Kaichang , Dong Lichao , Jin Na , Chen Didi , Feng Xiao , Shi Jianbing , Zhi Junge , Tong Bin , Dong Yuping
Published: February 2016

AIEE-active chiral triphenylpyrrole derivatives possess aggregation-induced circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence features with self-assembling helical nanofibers.
Appropriating scientific vocabulary in chemistry laboratories: a multiple case study of four community college students with diverse ethno-linguistic backgrounds
Authors: Cink Ruth B. , Song Youngjin
Published: February 2016

This multiple case study investigated how college students with diverse ethno-linguistic backgrounds used chemistry vocabulary as a way to look at their discursive identities and cultural border crossings during first semester general chemistry laboratories. The data were collected in two major forms: video-taped laboratory observations and audio-recorded interviews. All transcribed data from videos and interviews were analyzed qualitatively, using the constant comparative method. Our results indicate that (1) participants explained the laboratories using vocabulary emphasized in both lecture and the laboratory; (2) participants were able to appropriate the scientific meanings of Dual Meaning Vocabulary (DMV) and Cross Meaning Vocabulary (CMV) into their discursive identities; (3) participants' prior English learning experiences and the classroom culture shaped their appropriation of scientific vocabulary and (4) participants' appropriation of chemistry language was deeply related to how they incorporated scientific culture into their everyday culture. These themes are discussed in depth using the cultural anthropological theoretical framework, the discursive identity lens, and a tiered definition of scientific vocabulary. Implications of this study are also discussed in terms of instruction and future research.
Towards pi-extended cycloparaphenylenes as seeds for CNT growth: investigating strain relieving ring-openings and rearrangements
Authors: Sisto Thomas J. , Zakharov Lev N. , White Brittany M. , Jasti Ramesh
Published: February 2016

Upon exposure to Scholl reaction conditions, cycloparaphenylenes undergo facile strain-relieving rearrangements and ring-openings.
Preparation of eggplant-derived macroporous carbon tubes and composites of EDMCT/Co(OH)(CO3)0.5 nano-cone-arrays for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Qu Yicheng , Zan Guangtao , Wang Jiaxian , Wu Qingsheng
Published: February 2016

A novel biomass-derived interconnected macroporous carbon tube structure was prepared for the first time by the freeze drying technique followed by carbonization of eggplant under N2, and Co(OH)(CO3)0.5 was loaded.
The effects of T-2 toxin on the prevalence and development of Kashin–Beck disease in China: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Li Danyang , Han Jing , Guo Xiong , Qu Chengjuan , Yu Fangfang , Wu Xiaofang
Published: February 2016

The interpretation of high T-2 toxin detection rate and amount in endemic areas on Kashin–Beck disease prevalence and development.
New developments in porphyrin-like macrocyclic chemistry: a novel family of dibenzotetraaza[14]annulene-based cofacial dimers
Authors: Zwoliński K. M. , Eilmes J.
Published: February 2016

The first known cofacial dimers, based on covalently linked dibenzotetraaza[14]annulenes, were synthesized in reasonable 35–40% yields, without recourse to high-dilution techniques.
Cocrystals and alloys of nitazoxanide: enhanced pharmacokinetics
Authors: Suresh Kuthuru , Mannava M. K. Chaitanya , Nangia Ashwini
Published: February 2016

The pharmaceutical cocrystal alloy of NTZ-PABA : NTZ-PASA (0.75 : 0.25) exhibits a higher pharmacokinetic profile than the individual cocrystals and nitazoxanide.
Dielectric relaxation behavior in antiferroelectric metal organic framework [(CH3)2NH2][FeIIIFeII(HCOO)6] single crystals
Authors: Sieradzki A. , Pawlus S. , Tripathy S. N. , Gągor A. , Ciupa A. , Mączka M. , Paluch M.
Published: February 2016

The fundamental aspects of the relaxation dynamics in niccolite-type, mixed valence metal–organic framework, multiferroic [(CH3)2NH2][Fe3+Fe2+(HCOO)6] single crystals have been reported, covering eight decades in frequency (10−2 ≤ f ≤ 106) in the temperature range 120 K ≤ T ≤ 250 K.
Vibrationally resolved optical spectra and ultrafast electronic relaxation dynamics of diamantane
Authors: Röhr Merle I. S. , Mitrić Roland , Petersen Jens
Published: February 2016

Even after laser excitation to high-lying bright states, diamantane fluoresces from the lowest excited state due to ultrafast nonadiabatic relaxation processes.
A microfluidic, dual-purpose sensor for in vitro detection of Enterobacteriaceae and biotinylated antibodies
Authors: Kokkinis G. , Plochberger B. , Cardoso S. , Keplinger F. , Giouroudi I.
Published: February 2016

A bacteria and antibody biosensor where friction is for the first time used for resolving biomolecules.
Synthesis, characterisation and Pickering emulsifier performance of poly(stearyl methacrylate)–poly(N-2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl pyrrolidone) diblock copolymer nano-objects via RAFT dispersion polymerisation in n-dodecane
Authors: Cunningham V. J. , Armes S. P. , Musa O. M.
Published: February 2016

Block copolymer spheres, worms or vesicles can be prepared via RAFT dispersion polymerisation of N-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl pyrrolidone in n-dodecane using a poly(stearyl methacrylate) chain transfer agent.
Large area sub-100 nm direct nanoimprinting of palladium nanostructures
Authors: Saifullah Mohammad S. M. , Ganesan Ramakrishnan , Lim Su Hui , Hussain Hazrat , Low Hong Yee
Published: February 2016

We demonstrate a simple direct nanoimprinting method for fabricating palladium nanostructures that involvesin situfree radical polymerization of a resin consisting of an acrylate-based crosslinker and a palladium metal precursor.
Machinability of a silicon carbide particle-reinforced metal matrix composite
Authors: Wu Qiong , Si Yu , Wang Guang-Sheng , Wang Lei
Published: February 2016

This study reports extensive simulation and experimental studies on the theory underlying the cutting behavior of the representative PRMMC, SiCp/Al. The principle and different phenomena associated with the cutting of SiCp/Al composites have been studied.
Near-infrared light-induced imaging and targeted anti-cancer therapy based on a yolk/shell structure
Authors: Lv Ruichan , Zhong Chongna , Gulzar Arif Kuhan , He Fei , Gu Rui , Gai Shili , Zhang Shenghuan , Yang Guixin , Yang Piaoping
Published: February 2016

Yolk/shell mesoporous NaYF4:Yb,Er@MgSiO3–ZnPc–RGD spheres have been fabricated to combine photodynamic therapy (PDT) and bio-imaging for improved antitumor efficacy under NIR laser irradiation.
Aqueous lubrication of poly(N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide) brushes: a strategy for their enhanced load bearing capacity and wear resistance
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Xiao Shengwei , Shen Mingxue , Sun Li , Chen Feng , Fan Ping , Zhong Mingqiang , Yang Jintao
Published: February 2016

Poly(N-hydroxylethyl acrylamide) brushes show a very low aqueous surface friction coefficient. Crosslinking of these brushes increases the surface friction coefficient, but can significantly enhance their load bearing capacity and wear resistance.
Dye anchored counter electrode: novel architecture towards enhanced performance for multiple dye sensitized solar cells
Authors: Susmitha K. , Raghavender M. , Naresh Kumar M. , Giribabu L.
Published: February 2016

The counter electrode architecture of a DSSC is optimized. A DACE based DSSC with multiple dyes (PCH001, N719), and CNH produces broad IPCE spectra and a conversion efficiency (η) of 7.14%, revealing the promise of this architecture for multiple dyes sensitized solar cells.
MoS2nanosheets grown on amorphous carbon nanotubes for enhanced sodium storage
Authors: Xu Xin , Yu Demei , Zhou Han , Zhang Lusi , Xiao Chunhui , Guo Chaowei , Guo Shengwu , Ding Shujiang
Published: February 2016

A unique hybrid nanostructure of MoS2@ACNTs is designed and fabricated as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries. With advantages of its unique constituents and architecture, the MoS2@ACNT electrode is capable of exhibiting a high discharge capacity of 461 mA h g−1even over 150 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g−1.
Multimodal imaging-guided, dual-targeted photothermal therapy for cancer
Authors: Du Bin , Cao Xiaohui , Zhao Feifei , Su Xiangjie , Wang Yuhui , Yan Xiaosa , Jia Shaona , Zhou Jie , Yao Hanchun
Published: February 2016

The multimodal imaging-guided, dual-targeted photothermal therapy.
Power decoupling strategy based on ‘virtual negative resistor’ for inverters in low‐voltage microgrids
Authors: Zhang Ping , Zhao Hengyang , Cai Huanyu , Shi Jianjiang , He Xiangning
Published: February 2016

In a low‐voltage microgrid, due to the effect of mainly resistive line impedance, the conventional P/w and Q/E droop control is subject to the coupling and dynamic instability of the real and reactive power control. To address this problem, a novel virtual impedance composed of virtual negative resistor (VNR) and virtual inductor is employed to control the interfaced inverters in this study. The virtual resistance is controlled to be negative to counteract the effect of the line resistance thus ensuring a mainly inductive system impedance. However, it is found in this study that, the grid‐connected inverter system may present non‐fundamental instability if the line resistance drifts to be smaller than the value of VNR with the basic VNR method. To produce a more stable system when the line parameter drifts, an improved VNR form based on a proportional‐resonant structure is proposed. Moreover, an interesting conclusion is obtained that, if the PI voltage regulator and the basic VNR are used, the grid‐connected inverter becomes critical stable when the virtual resistance is exactly equal to the line resistance. Experimental results of a low‐voltage microgrid consisting of two 6‐kW inverters are given to validate the control strategy.
Tuning of mid‐range wireless power transfer system based on delay‐iteration method
Authors: Ren Jieshuai , Hu Po , Yang Deshuai , Liu Dian
Published: February 2016

The practical mid‐range wireless power transfer (WPT) system with high‐quality resonant tanks is detuned easily due to the variation in parameters of the resonant tanks, leading to degradation of power transfer capability. For this reason, the frequency variation of the mid‐range serial‐serial (SS) topology WPT system under the condition of self‐oscillation is analysed based on Hamel locus approach, considering the delays in devices. The delay‐iteration method (DIM) to tune the transmitter (TX) is presented here. Use of this method can keep the overall TX delay equal to the self‐oscillating cycle and the TX in the zero voltage switching state. When the DIM is applied, the disturbance observation method can be used to tune the capacitor of the TX, with no communication between the TX and the receiver. The experiment results validate the accuracy and stability of tuning mid‐range loose‐coupling WPT system using the proposed method.
Synthesis of mono‐dispersed ceria hollow nanospheres by a hydrothermal method
Authors: Jiang Xueliang , Zhang Jiao , Yu Lu , Chen Ruiqi , Xu Xiong
Published: February 2016

Mono‐dispersed ceria (CeO2) hollow nanospheres about 400 nm have been prepared via a facile one‐step hydrothermal method, wherein cerium nitrate hexahydrate (Ce(NO3)3 ·6H2O) was used as cerium sources with the assistance of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in the ethylene glycol aqueous solution. X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectra, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, nitrogen adsorption–desorption and Fourier transform infrared results indicate that PVP can improve the dispersion and control the morphology and sizes of CeO2 hollow nanospheres as a surfactant, and the internal diameter of CeO2 hollow nanosphere gradually increases with reaction time. Based on the time‐dependent experiment, the formation mechanism was proposed and discussed. These CeO2 hollow nanospheres show an excellent adsorption rate of heavy metal ions for Cr(VI) and the adsorption rate is about 70%. The CeO2 hollow nanospheres also had exhibited superior performance in the degradation of methyl orange dye.
Do We Need Basic Research in Cardiac Surgery?
Authors: Schlensak Christian , Schibilsky David , Faerber Gloria , Doenst Torsten
Published: February 2016

Thinking about the daily practice of cardiac surgery, genetically altered mouse models, polymerase chain reactions, western blots, and other laboratory tools are the last that comes to mind. It is, therefore, not surprising that the pursuit of such basic science activities by practicing surgeons and those in training is often limited. However, there is an innate connection between these two seemingly different disciplines. To address and visualize this connection, we propose the following three hypotheses. First, cardiac surgery would not be at its present level of expertise without fundamental contributions of basic science. Second, without practicing cardiac surgeons performing basic research and translating their results to clinical practice next to their daily work, our ability to care for cardiac surgery patients would be poorer. Third, basic science training for those aiming to become practicing cardiac surgeons improves their ability to properly care for their patients. Finally, we will discuss some potentially even unexpected implications for our currently changing daily clinical practice.
Risk and Benefits of Statins in Glucose Control Management of Type II Diabetes
Authors: Sunjaya Angela , Halim Samuel , Ferdinal Frans , Sunjaya Anthony
Published: February 2016

Worldwide statins are considered to be the first-line pharmacological treatment for dyslipidemia and reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. However, recently various studies have shown its adverse effect on glucose control among diabetic patients and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have revised statin drug labels to include information that increases in fasting serum glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels have been reported. This systematic review objective is to evaluate the risks and benefits of statins in glucose control management of type 2 diabetes patients based on the 44 published journal articles included and obtained through MEDLINE full text, PubMed, Science Direct, Pro Quest, SAGE, Taylor and Francis Online, Google Scholar, High Wire, and Elsevier Clinical Key. Statins were found to affect glucose control through several ways, namely, by affecting insulin production and secretion by β-pancreatic cells, insulin resistance, insulin uptake by the muscles and adipocytes and production of adipokines. Current evidence available shows that most of the statins give unfavorable side effects with regards to glucose control among diabetic patients. A dose-dependent and time-dependent effect was also observed in some statins which may be present among other statins as well.
Intense sediment transport: Collisional to turbulent suspension
Authors: Berzi Diego , Fraccarollo Luigi
Published: February 2016

A recent simple analytical approach to the problem of steady, uniform transport of sediment by a turbulent shearing fluid dominated by interparticle collisions is extended to the case in which the mean turbulent lift may partially or totally support the weight of the sediment. We treat the granular–fluid mixture as a continuum and make use of constitutive relations of kinetic theory of granular gases to model the particle phase and a simple mixing-length approach for the fluid. We focus on pressure-driven flows over horizontal, erodible beds and divide the flow itself into layers, each dominated by different physical mechanisms. This permits a crude analytical integration of the governing equations and to obtain analytical expressions for the distribution of particle concentration and velocity. The predictions of the theory are compared with existing laboratory measurements on the flow of glass spheres and sand particles in water. We also show how to build a regime map to distinguish between collisional, turbulent-collisional, and fully turbulent suspensions.
ROTUNDA3 function in plant development by phosphatase 2A-mediated regulation of auxin transporter recycling
Authors: Karampelias Michael , Neyt Pia , De Groeve Steven , Aesaert Stijn , Coussens Griet , Rolčík Jakub , Bruno Leonardo , De Winne Nancy , Van Minnebruggen Annemie , Van Montagu Marc , Ponce María Rosa , Micol José Luis , Friml Jiří , De Jaeger Geert , Van Lijsebettens Mieke
Published: February 2016

Significance

PIN-FORMED (PIN) proteins actively transport the plant hormone auxin, of which the directionality, referred to as polarity, steers developmental processes throughout the plant’s lifecycle. The polarity of the PIN localization at the cell membrane is regulated by protein complexes, implying temporary internalization in the cell through vesicles and changes in the activity state. We identified the ROTUNDA3 protein as a regulator of the protein phosphatase 2A-driven PIN recycling and revealed its importance in auxin transport-related plant developmental programs.
70S-scanning initiation is a novel and frequent initiation mode of ribosomal translation in bacteria
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroshi , Wittek Daniela , Gupta Romi , Qin Bo , Ueda Takuya , Krause Roland , Yamamoto Kaori , Albrecht Renate , Pech Markus , Nierhaus Knud H.
Published: February 2016

Significance

Until now, two initiation modes for bacterial translation have been described: (
i
) the standard 30S-binding mode, where the small ribosomal subunit selects the initiation site on an mRNA with the help of three initiation factors (IFs), and (
ii
) the rare initiation of leaderless mRNAs, which are mRNAs carrying the initiation AUG within the first 5 nt at the 5′-end. The existence of a third “70S-scanning” mode for bacterial initiation was conjectured in past decades but has remained experimentally unproven. Here, we demonstrate the existence of a 70S-scanning mode of initiation and characterize its mechanistic features. The three initiation modes demonstrate specific patterns of requirements for IF1 and IF3.
How bad can a good enough parent be?
Authors: Shields Liam
Published: February 2016

Almost everyone accepts that parents must provide a good enough upbringing in order to retain custodial rights over children, but little has been said about how that level should be set. In this paper, I examine ways of specifying a good enough upbringing. I argue that the two dominant ways of setting this level, the Best Interests and Abuse and Neglect Views, are mistaken. I defend the Dual Comparative View, which holds that an upbringing is good enough when shortfalls from the best alternative upbringing in terms of the child's interests are no more significant than the parents' interest.
Critical Assessment 21: Oxygen-assisted fatigue crack propagation in turbine disc superalloys
Authors: Jiang R. , Reed P. A. S.
Published: February 2016

Ni-based superalloys in turbine disc applications face increasing susceptibility to oxygen-assisted fatigue crack propagation due to increased turbine entry temperatures. The continued lack of understanding of the interplay between the factors operating during oxygen-assisted fatigue crack propagation limits: (1) development of lifing methodologies to accurately predict the fatigue performance of disc alloys/components and (2) associated disc alloy developments. An underpinning requirement to better understand the role of oxygen is to characterise the process of oxygen diffusion in the localised stress/strain state at the crack tip, which is related closely to microstructural features. The link between three-dimensional crack tomography, crack propagation rate and oxygen-related attack needs to be established. Quantitative models which include the interaction between fatigue–creep–oxygen attack need further development.
Negative regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate levels in early-to-late endosome conversion
Authors: Liu Kai , Jian Youli , Sun Xiaojuan , Yang Chengkui , Gao Zhiyang , Zhang Zhili , Liu Xuezhao , Li Yang , Xu Jing , Jing Yudong , Mitani Shohei , He Sudan , Yang Chonglin
Published: February 2016

Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns3P) plays a central role in endosome fusion, recycling, sorting, and early-to-late endosome conversion, but the mechanisms that determine how the correct endosomal PtdIns3P level is achieved remain largely elusive. Here we identify two new factors, SORF-1 and SORF-2, as essential PtdIns3P regulators in Caenorhabditis elegans. Loss of sorf-1 or sorf-2 leads to greatly elevated endosomal PtdIns3P, which drives excessive fusion of early endosomes. sorf-1 and sorf-2 function coordinately with Rab switching genes to inhibit synthesis of PtdIns3P, allowing its turnover for endosome conversion. SORF-1 and SORF-2 act in a complex with BEC-1/Beclin1, and their loss causes elevated activity of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) complex. In mammalian cells, inactivation of WDR91 and WDR81, the homologs of SORF-1 and SORF-2, induces Beclin1-dependent enlargement of PtdIns3P-enriched endosomes and defective degradation of epidermal growth factor receptor. WDR91 and WDR81 interact with Beclin1 and inhibit PI3K complex activity. These findings reveal a conserved mechanism that controls appropriate PtdIns3P levels in early-to-late endosome conversion.
Rosa Puertollano: The importance of recycling cellular trash
Authors: Blum Karen
Published: February 2016

Puertollano studies how lysosomes contribute to cellular homeostasis and disease.
Jeremy Nance: Charting gastrulation’s gyrations
Authors: Powell Kendall
Published: February 2016

Nance surveys the cell movements that orchestrate early embryogenesis.
Mapping the kinetochore Delta
Authors: Short Ben
Published: February 2016

Researchers question the role of intrakinetochore tension in mitotic progression.
Needhi Bhalla: Chromosomes do the most amazing things
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: February 2016

Bhalla studies the regulation of chromosome synapsis during meiotic prophase.
Unc119, a Novel Activator of Lck/Fyn, Is Essential for T Cell Activation
Authors: Gorska Magdalena M. , Stafford Susan J. , Cen Osman , Sur Sanjiv , Alam Rafeul
Published: February 2016

The first step in T cell receptor for antigen (TCR) signaling is the activation of the receptor-bound Src kinases, Lck and Fyn. The exact mechanism of this process is unknown. Here, we report that the novel Src homology (SH) 3/SH2 ligand–Uncoordinated 119 (Unc119) associates with CD3 and CD4, and activates Lck and Fyn. Unc119 overexpression increases Lck/Fyn activity in T cells. In Unc119-deficient T cells, Lck/Fyn activity is dramatically reduced with concomitant decrease in interleukin 2 production and cellular proliferation. Reconstitution of cells with Unc119 reverses the signaling and functional outcome. Thus, Unc119 is a receptor-associated activator of Src-type kinases. It provides a novel mechanism of signal generation in the TCR complex.
A canonical dimension estimate for non-split semisimple 𝑝-adic Lie groups
Authors: Ardakov Konstantin , Johansson Christian
Published: February 2016

We prove that the canonical dimension of an admissible Banach space or a locally analytic representation of an arbitrary semisimple

p
p

-adic Lie group is either zero or at least half the dimension of a non-zero coadjoint orbit. This extends the results of Ardakov, Wadsley, and Schmidt in the split semisimple case.
Explosion of differentiability for equivalencies between Anosov flows on 3-manifolds
Authors: Bessa Mário , Dias Sérgio , Pinto Alberto
Published: February 2016

For Anosov flows obtained by suspensions of Anosov diffeomorphisms on surfaces, we show the following type of rigidity result: if a topological conjugacy between them is differentiable at a point, then the conjugacy has a smooth extension to the suspended

3
3

-manifold. This result generalizes the similar ones of Sullivan and Ferreira-Pinto for 1-dimensional expanding dynamics and also a result of Ferreira-Pinto for 2-dimensional hyperbolic dynamics.
On nodal domains in Euclidean balls
Authors: Helffer Bernard , Sundqvist Mikael
Published: February 2016

Å. Pleijel (1956) has proved that in the case of the Laplacian with Dirichlet condition, the equality in the Courant nodal theorem (Courant sharp situation) can only be true for a finite number of eigenvalues when the dimension is

≥
2

\geq 2

. Recently Polterovich extended the result to the Neumann problem in two dimensions in the case when the boundary is piecewise analytic. A question coming from the theory of spectral minimal partitions has motivated the analysis of the cases when one has equality in Courant’s theorem.

We identify the Courant sharp eigenvalues for the Dirichlet and the Neumann Laplacians in balls in

R

d

\mathbb R^d

,

d
≥
2

d\geq 2

. It is the first result of this type holding in any dimension. The corresponding result for the Dirichlet Laplacian in the disc in

R

2

\mathbb R^2

was obtained by B. Helffer, T. Hoffmann-Ostenhof and S. Terracini.
Exact large ideals of 𝐵(𝐺) are downward directed
Authors: Kaliszewski S. , Landstad Magnus , Quigg John
Published: February 2016

We prove that if

E
E

and

F
F

are large ideals of

B
(
G
)

B(G)

for which the associated coaction functors are exact, then the same is true for

E
∩
F

E\cap F

. We also give an example of a coaction functor whose restriction to the maximal coactions does not come from any large ideal.
Global and blow up solutions to cross diffusion systems on 3D domains
Authors: Le Dung , Nguyen Vu
Published: February 2016

Necessary and sufficient conditions for global existence of classical solutions to a class of cross diffusion systems on 3-dimensional domains are studied. Examples of blow up solutions are also given.
Sequential selection of a monotone subsequence from a random permutation
Authors: Peng Peichao , Steele J.
Published: February 2016

We find a two term asymptotic expansion for the optimal expected value of a sequentially selected monotone subsequence from a random permutation of length

n
n

. A striking feature of this expansion is that it tells us that the expected value of optimal selection from a random permutation is quantifiably larger than optimal sequential selection from an independent sequence of uniformly distributed random variables; specifically, it is larger by at least

(
1

/

6
)
log
⁡
n
+
O
(
1
)

(1/6) \log n +O(1)

.
Isometric equivalence of isometries on 𝐻^{𝑝}
Authors: Cima Joseph , Wogen Warren
Published: February 2016

We consider a natural notion of equivalence for bounded linear operators on

H
p

,

H^p,

for

1
≤
p
>
∞
,
p
≠
2.

1 \leq p > \infty , p \neq 2.

We study the structure of isometries on

H
p

H^p

of finite codimension and we determine when two such isometries are equivalent. Among these isometries, we determine which operators

S
S

satisfy

⋂
1

∞

S
n

H
p

=
(
0
)
.

\bigcap _1^{\infty } S^n H^p=(0).