bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
miR-203 inhibits the traumatic heterotopic ossification by targeting Runx2
Authors: Tu Bing , Liu Shen , Yu Bo , Zhu Jing , Ruan Hongjiang , Tang Tingting , Fan Cunyi
Published: October 2016

Emerging evidence has indicated that dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) have an important role in bone formation. However, the pathophysiological role of miRNAs in traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO) remains to be elucidated. Using gene expression profile analyses and subsequent confirmation with real-time PCR assays, we identified the decreased expression of miRNA-203 (miR-203) and increased expression of Runx2 as responses to the development of traumatic HO. We found that miR-203 expression was markedly higher in primary and recurrent HO tissues than in normal bones. The upregulation of miR-203 significantly decreased the level of Runx2 expression, whereas miR-203 downregulation increased Runx2 expression. Mutation of the putative miR-203-binding sites in Runx2 mRNA abolished miR-203-mediated repression of Runx2 3'-untranslated region luciferase reporter activity, indicating that Runx2 is an important target of miR-203 in osteoblasts. We also found that miR-203 is negatively correlated with osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, in vitro osteoblast activity and matrix mineralization were promoted by antagomir-203 and decreased by agomir-203. We showed that miR-203 suppresses osteoblast activity by inhibiting the β-catenin and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways. Moreover, using a tenotomy mouse HO model, we found an inhibitory role of miR-203 in regulating HO in vivo; pretreatment with antagomiR-203 increased the development of HO. These data suggest that miR-203 has a crucial role in suppressing HO by directly targeting Runx2 and that the therapeutic overexpression of miR-203 may be a potential strategy for treating traumatic HO.
Block of both TGF-β and IL-2 signaling impedes Neurophilin-1+ regulatory T cell and follicular regulatory T cell development
Authors: Li Liang , Yang Shu-Han , Yao Yuan , Xie Yu-Qing , Yang Yan-Qing , Wang Yin-Hu , Yin Xue-Ying , Ma Hong-Di , Gershwin MEric , Lian Zhe-Xiong
Published: October 2016

Understanding the mechanisms that lead to autoimmunity is critical for defining potential therapeutic pathways. In this regard there have been considerable efforts in investigating the interacting roles of TGF-β and IL-2 on the function regulatory T cells. We have taken advantage of dnTGF-βRII Il2ra−/− (abbreviated as Il2ra−/−Tg) mouse model, which allows a direct mechanistic approach to define the relative roles of TGF-β and IL-2 on Treg development. Il2ra−/−Tg mice spontaneously developed multi-organ autoimmune diseases with expansion of pathogenic T cells and enhanced germinal center response at 3–4 weeks of age. Importantly, peripheral Treg cells from Il2ra−/−Tg mice demonstrated an activated Th1-like stable phenotype and normal in vitro suppressive function, while thymus Treg increased but manifested decreased suppressive function. Interestingly, neither thymus nor peripheral Treg cells of Il2ra−/−Tg mice contained Neuropilin-1+ or PD-1hi phenotype, resulting in defective follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cell development. Such defective Tfr development led to elevated follicular T helper cells, enhanced germinal center responses and increased plasma cell infiltration. These data demonstrate an important synergetic role of TGF-β and IL-2 in the generation, activation and stability of Treg cells, as well as their subsequent development into Tfr cells.
Induced sensorimotor brain plasticity controls pain in phantom limb patients
Authors: Yanagisawa Takufumi , Fukuma Ryohei , Seymour Ben , Hosomi Koichi , Kishima Haruhiko , Shimizu Takeshi , Yokoi Hiroshi , Hirata Masayuki , Yoshimine Toshiki , Kamitani Yukiyasu , Saitoh Youichi
Published: October 2016

The cause of pain in a phantom limb after partial or complete deafferentation is an important problem. A popular but increasingly controversial theory is that it results from maladaptive reorganization of the sensorimotor cortex, suggesting that experimental induction of further reorganization should affect the pain, especially if it results in functional restoration. Here we use a brain–machine interface (BMI) based on real-time magnetoencephalography signals to reconstruct affected hand movements with a robotic hand. BMI training induces significant plasticity in the sensorimotor cortex, manifested as improved discriminability of movement information and enhanced prosthetic control. Contrary to our expectation that functional restoration would reduce pain, the BMI training with the phantom hand intensifies the pain. In contrast, BMI training designed to dissociate the prosthetic and phantom hands actually reduces pain. These results reveal a functional relevance between sensorimotor cortical plasticity and pain, and may provide a novel treatment with BMI neurofeedback.
Reorganization between preparatory and movement population responses in motor cortex
Authors: Elsayed Gamaleldin F. , Lara Antonio H. , Kaufman Matthew T. , Churchland Mark M. , Cunningham John P.
Published: October 2016

Neural populations can change the computation they perform on very short timescales. Although such flexibility is common, the underlying computational strategies at the population level remain unknown. To address this gap, we examined population responses in motor cortex during reach preparation and movement. We found that there exist exclusive and orthogonal population-level subspaces dedicated to preparatory and movement computations. This orthogonality yielded a reorganization in response correlations: the set of neurons with shared response properties changed completely between preparation and movement. Thus, the same neural population acts, at different times, as two separate circuits with very different properties. This finding is not predicted by existing motor cortical models, which predict overlapping preparation-related and movement-related subspaces. Despite orthogonality, responses in the preparatory subspace were lawfully related to subsequent responses in the movement subspace. These results reveal a population-level strategy for performing separate but linked computations.
Simultaneous delivery of Paclitaxel and Bcl-2 siRNA via pH-Sensitive liposomal nanocarrier for the synergistic treatment of melanoma
Authors: Reddy Teegala Lakshminarayan , Garikapati Koteswara Rao , Reddy S. Gopal , Reddy B. V. Subba , Yadav J. S. , Bhadra Utpal , Bhadra Manika Pal
Published: October 2016

pH-sensitive drug carriers that are sensitive to the acidic (pH = ~6.5) microenvironments of tumor tissues have been primarily used as effective drug/gene/siRNA/microRNA carriers for releasing their payloads to tumor cells/tissues. Resistance to various drugs has become a big hurdle in systemic chemotherapy in cancer. Therefore delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and siRNA’s targeting anti apoptotic genes possess advantages to overcome the efflux pump mediated and anti apoptosis-related drug resistance. Here, we report the development of nanocarrier system prepared from kojic acid backbone-based cationic amphiphile containing endosomal pH-sensitive imidazole ring. This pH-sensitive liposomal nanocarrier effectively delivers anti-cancer drug (Paclitaxel; PTX) and siRNA (Bcl-2), and significantly inhibits cell proliferation and reduces tumor growth. Tumor inhibition response attributes to the synergistic effect of PTX potency and MDR reversing ability of Bcl-2 siRNA in the tumor supporting that kojic acid based liposomal pH-sensitive nanocarrier as efficient vehicle for systemic co-delivery of drugs and siRNA.
The Efficacy and Risk Profile of c-Met inhibitors in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: a Meta-analysis
Authors: Ye Sa , Li Jiuke , Hao Ke , Yan Jianping , Zhou Hongbin
Published: October 2016

c-MET inhibitors are considered as a kind of novel drugs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. However, the results of different clinical studies involving c-MET inhibitors were not consistent. In this report, we performed Meta-analysis to investigate the beneficial and harmful effects of these drugs from 9 studies including 1611 patients in target drug groups and 1605 patients in control groups. As a result, patients in target drugs group had longer progression free survival (PFS) (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66–0.99, p = 0.04) but not overall survival (OS) than those in control group, especially in Asian (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.42–0.76, p < 0.001), Non-squamous (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.64–0.97, p = 0.03), Phase III (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50–0.86, p = 0.002), previous treated (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63–0.95, p = 0.01) and small molecular compounds subgroups (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.50–0.78, p < 0.001). In addition, target drugs did not affect the objective response rate (ORR) but improved disease control rate (DCR) (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.02–1.46, p = 0.03) of NSCLC patients. Our study first indicated that targeting c-MET therapies improved PFS and DCR in advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients, especially in previous treated Asian patients with adenocarcinoma.
Numerical analysis of an optical nanoscale particles trapping device based on a slotted nanobeam cavity
Authors: Zhang Senlin , Yong Zhengdong , Shi Yaocheng , He Sailing
Published: October 2016

A slotted nanobeam cavity (SNC) is utilized to trap a polystyrene (PS) particle with a radius of only 2 nm. The carefully designed SNC shows an ultrahigh Q factor of 4.5 × 107 while maintaining a small mode volume of 0.067(λ/nwater)3. Strongly enhanced optical trapping force is numerically demonstrated when the 2 nm PS particle is introduced into the central, slotted part of the SNC. In the vertical direction, the numerical calculation results show that a trapping stiffness of 0.4 pN/(nm · mW) around the equilibrium position and a trapping potential barrier of ~2000 kBT/mW can be reached. To our best knowledge, the trapping capability (trapping stiffness and trapping potential barrier) of the proposed structure significantly outperforms the theoretical results of those in previously reported work. In addition, the SNC system does not suffer from the metal induced heat issue that restricts the performance of state-of-the-art optical trapping systems involving plasmonic enhancement. Based on the proposed cavity, applications such as lab-on-a-chip platforms for nanoscale particle trapping and analysis can be expected in future.
A novel approach using C. elegans DNA damage-induced apoptosis to characterize the dynamics of uptake transporters for therapeutic drug discoveries
Authors: Papaluca Arturo , Ramotar Dindial
Published: October 2016

Organic cation transporter (OCT) function is critical for cellular homeostasis. C. elegans lacking OCT-1 displays a shortened lifespan and increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. We show that these phenotypes can be rescued by downregulating the OCT-1 paralogue, OCT-2. Herein, we delineate a biochemical pathway in C. elegans where uptake of genotoxic chemotherapeutics such as doxorubicin and cisplatin, and subsequent DNA damage-induced apoptosis of germ cells, are dependent exclusively upon OCT-2. We characterized OCT-2 as the main uptake transporter for doxorubicin, as well as a number of other therapeutic agents and chemical compounds, some identified through ligand-protein docking analyses. We provide insights into the conserved features of the structure and function and gene regulation of oct-1 and oct-2 in distinct tissues of C. elegans. Importantly, our innovative approach of exploiting C. elegans uptake transporters in combination with defective DNA repair pathways will have broad applications in medicinal chemistry.
Difference between Chitosan Hydrogels via Alkaline and Acidic Solvent Systems
Authors: Nie Jingyi , Wang Zhengke , Hu Qiaoling
Published: October 2016

Chitosan (CS) has generated considerable interest for its desirable properties and wide applications. Hydrogel has been proven to be a major and vital form in the applications of CS materials. Among various types of CS hydrogels, physical cross-linked CS hydrogels are popular, because they avoided the potential toxicity and sacrifice of intrinsic properties caused by cross-linking or reinforcements. Alkaline solvent system and acidic solvent system are two important solvent systems for the preparation of physical cross-linked CS hydrogels, and also lay the foundations of CS hydrogel-based materials in many aspects. As members of physical cross-linked CS hydrogels, gel material via alkaline solvent system showed significant differences from that via acidic solvent system, but the reasons behind are still unexplored. In the present work, we studied the difference between CS hydrogel via alkaline system and acidic system, in terms of gelation process, hydrogel structure and mechanical property. In-situ/pseudo in-situ studies were carried out, including fluorescent imaging of gelation process, which provided dynamic visualization. Finally, the reasons behind the differences were explained, accompanied by the discussion about design strategy based on gelation behavior of the two systems.
The impact of reward and punishment on skill learning depends on task demands
Authors: Steel Adam , Silson Edward H. , Stagg Charlotte J. , Baker Chris I.
Published: October 2016

Reward and punishment motivate behavior, but it is unclear exactly how they impact skill performance and whether the effect varies across skills. The present study investigated the effect of reward and punishment in both a sequencing skill and a motor skill context. Participants trained on either a sequencing skill (serial reaction time task) or a motor skill (force-tracking task). Skill knowledge was tested immediately after training, and again 1 hour, 24–48 hours, and 30 days after training. We found a dissociation of the effects of reward and punishment on the tasks, primarily reflecting the impact of punishment. While punishment improved serial reaction time task performance, it impaired force-tracking task performance. In contrast to prior literature, neither reward nor punishment benefitted memory retention, arguing against the common assumption that reward ubiquitously benefits skill retention. Collectively, these results suggest that punishment impacts skilled behavior more than reward in a complex, task dependent fashion.
Sebum and Hydration Levels in Specific Regions of Human Face Significantly Predict the Nature and Diversity of Facial Skin Microbiome
Authors: Mukherjee Souvik , Mitra Rupak , Maitra Arindam , Gupta Satyaranjan , Kumaran Srikala , Chakrabortty Amit , Majumder Partha P.
Published: October 2016

The skin microbiome varies across individuals. The causes of these variations are inadequately understood. We tested the hypothesis that inter-individual variation in facial skin microbiome can be significantly explained by variation in sebum and hydration levels in specific facial regions of humans. We measured sebum and hydration from forehead and cheek regions of healthy female volunteers (n = 30). Metagenomic DNA from skin swabs were sequenced for V3-V5 regions of 16S rRNA gene. Altogether, 34 phyla were identified; predominantly Actinobacteria (66.3%), Firmicutes (17.7%), Proteobacteria (13.1%) and Bacteroidetes (1.4%). About 1000 genera were identified; predominantly Propionibacterium (58.6%), Staphylococcus (8.6%), Streptococcus (4.0%), Corynebacterium (3.6%) and Paracoccus (3.3%). A subset (n = 24) of individuals were sampled two months later. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that cheek sebum level was the most significant predictor of microbiome composition and diversity followed by forehead hydration level; forehead sebum and cheek hydration levels were not. With increase in cheek sebum, the prevalence of Actinobacteria (p = 0.001)/Propionibacterium (p = 0.002) increased, whereas microbiome diversity decreased (Shannon Index, p = 0.032); this was opposite for other phyla/genera. These trends were reversed for forehead hydration levels. Therefore, the nature and diversity of facial skin microbiome is jointly determined by site-specific lipid and water levels in the stratum corneum.
Identification of different respiratory viruses, after a cell culture step, by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)
Authors: Calderaro Adriana , Arcangeletti Maria Cristina , Rodighiero Isabella , Buttrini Mirko , Montecchini Sara , Vasile Simone Rosita , Medici Maria Cristina , Chezzi Carlo , De Conto Flora
Published: October 2016

In this study matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), a reliable identification method for the diagnosis of bacterial and fungal infections, is presented as an innovative tool to investigate the protein profile of cell cultures infected by the most common viruses causing respiratory tract infections in humans. MALDI-TOF MS was applied to the identification of influenza A and B viruses, adenovirus C species, parainfluenza virus types 1, 2 and 3, respiratory syncytial virus, echovirus, cytomegalovirus and metapneumovirus. In this study MALDI-TOF MS was proposed as a model to be applied to the identification of cultivable respiratory viruses using cell culture as a viral proteins enrichment method to the proteome profiling of virus infected and uninfected cell cultures. The reference virus strains and 58 viruses identified from respiratory samples of subjects with respiratory diseases positive for one of the above mentioned viral agents by cell culture were used for the in vitro infection of suitable cell cultures. The isolated viral particles, concentrated by ultracentrifugation, were used for subsequent protein extraction and their spectra profiles were generated by MALDI-TOF MS analysis. The newly created library allowed us to discriminate between uninfected and respiratory virus infected cell cultures.
Targeting inflammasome/IL-1 pathways for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Guo Beichu , Fu Shunjun , Zhang Jinyu , Liu Bei , Li Zihai
Published: October 2016

The inflammatory microenvironment has been shown to play important roles in various stages of tumor development including initiation, growth, and metastasis. The inflammasome is a critical innate immune pathway for the production of active IL-1β, a potent inflammatory cytokine. Although inflammasomes are essential for host defense against pathogens and contribute to autoimmune diseases, their role in tumor progression remains controversial. Here, our results demonstrate that the inflammasome and IL-1β pathway promoted tumor growth and metastasis in animal and human breast cancer models. We found that tumor progression was associated with the activation of inflammasome and elevated levels of IL-1β at primary and metastatic sites. Mice deficient for inflammasome components exhibited significantly reduced tumor growth and lung metastasis. Furthermore, inflammasome activation promoted the infiltration of myeloid cells such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) into tumor microenvironments. Importantly, blocking IL-1R with IL-1R antagonist (IL-Ra) inhibited tumor growth and metastasis accompanied by decreased myeloid cell accumulation. Our results suggest that targeting the inflammasome/IL-1 pathway in tumor microenvironments may provide a novel approach for the treatment of cancer.
Molecular cloning and expression of an encoding galactinol synthase gene (AnGolS1) in seedling of Ammopiptanthus nanus
Authors: Liu YuDong , Zhang Li , Chen LiJing , Ma Hui , Ruan YanYe , Xu Tao , Xu ChuanQiang , He Yi , Qi MingFang
Published: October 2016

Based on the galactinol synthase (AnGolS1) fragment sequence from a cold-induced Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH) library derived from Ammopiptanthus nanus (A. nanus) seedlings, AnGolS1 mRNA (including the 5′ UTR and 3′ UTR) (GenBank accession number: GU942748) was isolated and characterized by rapid amplification of cDNA ends polymerase chain reaction (RACE–PCR). A substrate reaction test revealed that AnGolS1 possessed galactinol synthase activity in vitro and could potentially be an early-responsive gene. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) indicated that AnGolS1 was responded to cold, salts and drought stresses, however, significantly up-regulated in all origans by low temperatures, especially in plant stems. In addition, the hybridization signals in the fascicular cambium were strongest in all cells under low temperature. Thus, we propose that AnGolS1 plays critical roles in A. nanus low-temperature stress resistance and that fascicular cambium cells could be involved in AnGolS1 mRNA transcription, galactinol transportation and coordination under low-temperature stress.
Synergistic luminescence enhancement of a pyridyl-substituted triarylmethyl radical based on fluorine substitution and coordination to gold
Authors: Hattori Yohei , Kusamoto Tetsuro , Sato Tohru , Nishihara Hiroshi
Published: October 2016

Introduction of fluorine atoms and coordination of gold(i) to a stable fluorescent radical synergistically contributed to increase its fluorescence efficiency.
A perylene bisimide network for high-performance n-type electrochromism
Authors: Ma Weitao , Qin Leiqiang , Gao Yu , Zhang Wenqiang , Xie Zengqi , Yang Bing , Liu Linlin , Ma Yuguang
Published: October 2016

A micro-porous network thin film of core-tetrachlorinated perylene bisimide (PBI) was deposited by electrochemical polymerization, which showed reversible n-doping/dedoping processes at rather low potentials, accompanied by color changes from an orange red (neutral) state to a transparent (radical anion) state and further to an aquamarine (dianion) state.
Direct catalytic enantioselective Mannich-type reaction of dichloroacetonitrile using bis(imidazoline)-Pd catalysts
Authors: Kondo Masaru , Sugimoto Mami , Nakamura Shuichi
Published: October 2016

The catalytic enantioselective Mannich-type reaction of dichloroacetonitrile with imines has been developed.
High-mobility two-dimensional electron gas in SrGeO3- and BaSnO3-based perovskite oxide heterostructures: an ab initio study
Authors: Wang Yaqin , Tang Wu , Cheng Jianli , Nazir Safdar , Yang Kesong
Published: October 2016

First-principles electronic structure calculations predict that SrGeO3 and BaSnO3 can be substrate materials for achieving a high-mobility two-dimensional electron gas in perovskite oxide heterostructures.
Interconnected mesoporous V2O5 electrode: impact on lithium ion insertion rate
Authors: Gillette Eleanor I. , Kim Nam , Rubloff Gary W. , Lee Sang Bok
Published: October 2016

Interconnections between adjacent nanotubes in an aligned array are found to improve the kinetics of lithium insertion into V2O5.
Halogen transfer through halogen bonds in halogen-bound ammonia homodimers
Authors: Crugeiras Juan , Ríos Ana
Published: October 2016

Halogen bond complexes as intermediates in halogen transfer reactions betweenN-haloamines and ammonia.
New insight into the roles of oxygen vacancies in hematite for solar water splitting
Authors: Zhao Xin , Feng Jianyong , Chen Shi , Huang Yizhong , Sum Tze Chien , Chen Zhong
Published: October 2016

Oxygen vacancies have different impacts on the charge transfer efficiency of pristine and Ti-doped hematite through active surface species.
Accidental degeneracy in the spiropyran radical cation: charge transfer between two orthogonal rings inducing ultra-efficient reactivity
Authors: Mendive-Tapia David , Kortekaas Luuk , Steen Jorn D. , Perrier Aurélie , Lasorne Benjamin , Browne Wesley R. , Jacquemin Denis
Published: October 2016

We unravel an original photoswitching mechanism in spiropyran radical cation.
Synthesis of macromolecular systems via lipase catalyzed biocatalytic reactions: applications and future perspectives
Authors: Kumar Amit , Khan Abdullah , Malhotra Shashwat , Mosurkal Ravi , Dhawan Ashish , Pandey Mukesh K. , Singh Brajendra K. , Kumar Rajesh , Prasad Ashok K. , Sharma Sunil K. , Samuelson Lynne A. , Cholli Ashok L. , Len Christophe , Richards Nigel G. J. , Kumar Jayant , Haag Rainer , Watterson Arthur C. , Parmar Virinder S.
Published: October 2016

This review highlights the application of lipases in the synthesis of pharmaceutically important small molecules and polymers for diverse applications.
A promising low pressure methanol synthesis route from CO2 hydrogenation over Pd@Zn core–shell catalysts
Authors: Liao Fenglin , Wu Xin-Ping , Zheng Jianwei , Li Molly Meng-Jung , Kroner Anna , Zeng Ziyan , Hong Xinlin , Yuan Youzhu , Gong Xue-Qing , Tsang Shik Chi Edman
Published: October 2016

We report a new Pd@Zn core–shell catalyst that offers a significantly higher kinetic barrier to CO/H2O formation in CO2 hydrogenation but facilitates CH3OH production at below 2 MPa with CH3OH selectivity at 70% as compared to 10% over Cu catalysts.
Heteroatom-doped graphene as electrocatalysts for air cathodes
Authors: Cui Huijuan , Zhou Zhen , Jia Dianzeng
Published: October 2016

Heteroatom doped graphene as an electrocatalyst for air cathodes is discussed to promote the development of devices with high energy density.
Steric control on the coordination behaviour of carbazole thiosemicarbazones towards [RuH(Cl)(CO)(AsPh3)3]: a combined experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Raj Kumar Ramasamy , Ramesh Rengan , Małecki Jan Grzegorz
Published: October 2016

We report the steric control on the coordination behaviour of carbazole thiosemicarbazones towards ruthenium(ii) complexes, along with the combined experimental and theoretical investigations.
Synthesis and molecular structures of divalent bridged bis(guanidinate) europium complexes and their application in intermolecular hydrophosphination of alkenes and alkynes
Authors: Liu Qianqian , Wang Chuanyong , Zhang Xingmin , Xue Mingqiang , Yao Yingming , Zhang Yong , Shen Qi
Published: October 2016

Bimetallic EuIIcomplexes supported by bridged bis(guanidinate) ligands are efficient precatalysts for the intermolecular hydrophosphination of alkenes and alkynes.
Macrolactam analogues of macrolide natural products
Authors: Hügel Helmut M. , Smith Andrew T. , Rizzacasa Mark A.
Published: October 2016

The chemical modification of macrolide natural products into aza- or lactam analogues is a strategy employed to improve their metabolic stability and biological activity.
Oxoanion binding to a cyclic pseudopeptide containing 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole moieties
Authors: Mungalpara Disha , Kelm Harald , Valkonen Arto , Rissanen Kari , Keller Sandro , Kubik Stefan
Published: October 2016

The converging arrangement of hydrogen bond donors from amide NH and 1,2,3-triazole CH groups enables the described cyclic pseudopeptide to interact with oxoanions in water/DMSO mixtures.
Breaking aziridines to construct morpholines with a gold(i)-catalyzed tandem ring-opening and cycloisomerization reaction
Authors: Zhang Shuyao , Shan Chuan , Zhang Shuai , Yuan Luye , Wang Jianwu , Tung Chen-Ho , Xing Ling-Bao , Xu Zhenghu
Published: October 2016

A convenient synthetic method for the construction of morpholine derivatives from easily available aziridines and propargyl alcohols has been successfully developed.
Thermochemical processing of fuels involving the use of molecular oxygen
Authors: Guo Hongfan , Cheng Qiuxiang , Jin Ze , Wang Dan , Xu Guangwen , Liu Yunyi
Published: October 2016

Properly introducing O2 into the thermochemical processing (TCP) of fuel is not simply just burning fuel. It can improve thermal efficiency, simplify TCP operation, reduce CO2 emission, help to utilize unminable energy resources, etc.
Transferrin-conjugated drug/dye-co-encapsulated magnetic nanocarriers for active-targeting fluorescent/magnetic resonance imaging and anti-tumor effects in human brain tumor cells
Authors: Wang Xueqin , Chang Yanyan , Zhang Dongxu , Tian Baoming , Yang Yan , Wei Fang
Published: October 2016

A combinatorial nanosystem with the advantages of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO NPs) and targeting polymer carriers is expected to improve the therapeutic effects in developing multifunctional delivery systems.
Fabrication of PES-based membranes with a high and stable desalination performance for membrane distillation
Authors: Liu Lixia , Shen Fei , Zhang Bowu , Jiang Haiqing , Li Jingye , Luo Jianquan , Wu Huanhuan , Khan Rashid , Wan Yinhua
Published: October 2016

A PES-based membrane is fabricated with a high and stable desalination performance for membrane distillation.
Bis(β-diketonato)- and allyl-(β-diketonato)-palladium(ii) complexes: synthesis, characterization and MOCVD application
Authors: Assim K. , Melzer M. , Korb M. , Rüffer T. , Jakob A. , Noll J. , Georgi C. , Schulz S. E. , Lang H.
Published: October 2016

Halogen-free allyl- and β-diketonate-functionalized Pd(ii) compounds were synthesized and successfully applied as MOVCD precursors for Pd and PdO thin film formation.
Improved performances of a LiNi0.6Co0.15Mn0.25O2 cathode material with full concentration-gradient for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Sun Zhonghui , Wang Dandan , Fan Yingying , Jiao Liansheng , Li Fenghua , Wu Tongshun , Han Dongxue , Niu Li
Published: October 2016

A novel high capacity cathode material with a full concentration-gradient (FCG) structure has been successfully synthesized by a modified hydroxide co-precipitation method.
Quinoline based mono- and bis-(thio)carbohydrazones: synthesis, anticancer activity in 2D and 3D cancer and cancer stem cell models
Authors: Božić Aleksandra , Marinković Aleksandar , Bjelogrlić Snežana , Todorović Tamara R. , Cvijetić Ilija N. , Novaković Irena , Muller Christian D. , Filipović Nenad R.
Published: October 2016

Study of antitumor activity of mono- and bis-quinoline based (thio)carbohydrazones on THP-1 and AsPC-1 cancer stem cells, revealed that thiocarbohydrazones had superior pro-apoptotic activity than carbohydrazones with multi-target profile activities.
Silicon oxycarbide ceramics as anodes for lithium ion batteries: influence of carbon content on lithium storage capacity
Authors: Wilamowska-Zawlocka Monika , Puczkarski Paweł , Grabowska Zofia , Kaspar Jan , Graczyk-Zajac Magdalena , Riedel Ralf , Sorarù Gian D.
Published: October 2016

We report here on the synthesis and characterization of silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) in view of its application as a potential anode material for Li-ion batteries.
Highly active and stable AuNi dendrites as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media
Authors: Wang Jiali , Chen Fuyi , Jin Yachao , Johnston Roy L.
Published: October 2016

AuNi hierarchical dendrites were fabricated by a facile electrodeposition and dealloying method with exceptional ORR activity and remarkable long-term stability.
1-Nitro-2-trinitromethyl substituted imidazoles: a new family of high performance energetic materials
Authors: Xu Yuangang , Shen Cheng , Lin Qiuhan , Wang Pengcheng , Jiang Chao , Lu Ming
Published: October 2016

A series of trinitromethyl-substituted imidazole energetic materials that achieved a fine balance between high performance and low sensitivity were synthesized.
Enhanced performance and light soaking stability of planar perovskite solar cells using an amine-based fullerene interfacial modifier
Authors: Zhang Yunhai , Wang Peng , Yu Xuegong , Xie Jiangsheng , Sun Xuan , Wang Huanhuan , Huang Jiabin , Xu Lingbo , Cui Can , Lei Ming , Yang Deren
Published: October 2016

Enhanced performance and light soaking stability of TiO2-based planar perovskite solar cells via interfacial engineering using a PCBDAN modifier.
Bilingual Language Assessment: Contemporary Versus Recommended Practice in American Schools
Authors: Arias Graciela , Friberg Jennifer
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify current practices of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the United States for bilingual language assessment and compare them to American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) best practice guidelines and mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004).

Method

The study was modeled to replicate portions of Caesar and Kohler's (2007) study and expanded to include a nationally representative sample. A total of 166 respondents completed an electronic survey.

Results

Results indicated that the majority of respondents have performed bilingual language assessments. Furthermore, the most frequently used informal and standardized assessments were identified. SLPs identified supports, and barriers to assessment, as well as their perceptions of graduate preparation.

Conclusion

The findings of this study demonstrated that although SLPs have become more compliant to ASHA and IDEA guidelines, there is room for improvement in terms of adequate training in bilingual language assessment.
Three‐phase soft‐switching‐based interleaved boost converter with high reliability
Authors: Rahimi Tohid , Hosseini Seyed Hossein , Sabahi Mehran , Abapour Mehdi , Gharehpetian Gevork B.
Published: October 2016

One of the most important problems related to DC–DC converters is the phenomena of power switch failures. Therefore, applying soft‐switching technique to these kinds of converters without adding extra active switch would improve their reliability. In this study, a new high reliable topology with the facility of the soft‐switching operation for three‐phase interleaved boost converter is proposed. The proposed structure is implemented by adding three inductors to the conventional structure. Automatically, the used power switches in the suggested topology, are turned on under zero voltage condition. In addition, the diodes are turned off under zero current condition. Using this method, the switching losses of semiconductors are reduced. Moreover, there is no additional active switch in the proposed topology. These two advantages cause the reliability of proposed topology to be significantly improved. The comparison results with other similar topologies are presented. Based on comparison results, it is shown that the reliability of the proposed topology is much better than others. Simulation and experimental results are compared with verifying the desired operation of the proposed structure.
Overview of diagnostic performance and results for the first operation phase in Wendelstein 7-X (invited)
Authors: Krychowiak M. , Adnan A. , Alonso A. , Andreeva T. , Baldzuhn J. , Barbui T. , Beurskens M. , Biel W. , Biedermann C. , Blackwell B. D. , Bosch H. S. , Bozhenkov S. , Brakel R. , Bräuer T. , Brotas de Carvalho B. , Burhenn R. , Buttenschön B. , Cappa A. , Cseh G. , Czarnecka A. , Dinklage A. , Drews P. , Dzikowicka A. , Effenberg F. , Endler M. , Erckmann V. , Estrada T. , Ford O. , Fornal T. , Frerichs H. , Fuchert G. , Geiger J. , Grulke O. , Harris J. H. , Hartfuß H. J. , Hartmann D. , Hathiramani D. , Hirsch M. , Höfel U. , Jabłoński S. , Jakubowski M. W. , Kaczmarczyk J. , Klinger T. , Klose S. , Knauer J. , Kocsis G. , König R. , Kornejew P. , Krämer-Flecken A. , Krawczyk N. , Kremeyer T. , Książek I. , Kubkowska M. , Langenberg A. , Laqua H. P. , Laux M. , Lazerson S. , Liang Y. , Liu S. C. , Lorenz A. , Marchuk A. O. , Marsen S. , Moncada V. , Naujoks D. , Neilson H. , Neubauer O. , Neuner U. , Niemann H. , Oosterbeek J. W. , Otte M. , Pablant N. , Pasch E. , Sunn Pedersen T. , Pisano F. , Rahbarnia K. , Ryć L. , Schmitz O. , Schmuck S. , Schneider W. , Schröder T. , Schuhmacher H. , Schweer B. , Standley B. , Stange T. , Stephey L. , Svensson J. , Szabolics T. , Szepesi T. , Thomsen H. , Travere J.-M. , Trimino Mora H. , Tsuchiya H. , Weir G. M. , Wenzel U. , Werner A. , Wiegel B. , Windisch T. , Wolf R. , Wurden G. A. , Zhang D. , Zimbal A. , Zoletnik S. ,   W7-X Team
Published: October 2016

Wendelstein 7-X, a superconducting optimized stellarator built in Greifswald/Germany, started its first plasmas with the last closed flux surface (LCFS) defined by 5 uncooled graphite limiters in December 2015. At the end of the 10 weeks long experimental campaign (OP1.1) more than 20 independent diagnostic systems were in operation, allowing detailed studies of many interesting plasma phenomena. For example, fast neutral gas manometers supported by video cameras (including one fast-frame camera with frame rates of tens of kHz) as well as visible cameras with different interference filters, with field of views covering all ten half-modules of the stellarator, discovered a MARFE-like radiation zone on the inboard side of machine module 4. This structure is presumably triggered by an inadvertent plasma-wall interaction in module 4 resulting in a high impurity influx that terminates some discharges by radiation cooling. The main plasma parameters achieved in OP1.1 exceeded predicted values in discharges of a length reaching 6 s. Although OP1.1 is characterized by short pulses, many of the diagnostics are already designed for quasi-steady state operation of 30 min discharges heated at 10 MW of ECRH. An overview of diagnostic performance for OP1.1 is given, including some highlights from the physics campaigns.
Conditions on the violation of the cluster decomposition property in QCD
Authors: Lowdon Peter
Published: October 2016

The behaviour of correlators at large distances plays an important role in the dynamics of quantum field theories. In many instances, correlators satisfy the so-called cluster decomposition property (CDP), which means that they tend to zero for space-like asymptotic distances. However, under certain conditions, it is possible for correlators to violate this property. In the context of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), violation of the CDP for correlators of clusters involving colored fields implies that the strength of the correlations between the colored degrees of freedom in these clusters increases at large distances, which is a sufficient condition for confinement. In this paper, we establish a criterion when the CDP is violated. By applying this criterion to QCD, it turns out that certain lattice results involving the quark and gluon propagators can be interpreted as evidence that quarks and gluons are confined due to a violation of the CDP.
Pulsed neutron time-dependent intensity modulation for quasi-elastic neutron scattering spectroscopy
Authors: Oda T. , Hino M. , Kitaguchi M. , Geltenbort P. , Kawabata Y.
Published: October 2016

We propose a basic formula and demonstration for a high-resolution quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) by combining the time-of-flight (TOF) method with Modulation of Intensity by Zero Effort (MIEZE) type neutron spin echo spectroscopy. The MIEZE technique has the potential to develop a unique approach to study on slow dynamics of condensed matter; however, the energy resolution is limited owing to the hypersensitivity of the MIEZE signal contrast to the echo condition, which is strongly affected by the alignment of the instruments and the sample. The narrow allowance of the optimal alignment is a major obstacle to the wide use of this technique. Combining the TOF method with MIEZE (TOF-MIEZE), the hypersensitivity of MIEZE signals is significantly alleviated with a short pulsed beam. This robustness is very useful to optimize experimental alignments and enables accurate measurements of QENS. The experimental results demonstrate the characteristic of the TOF-MIEZE technique and are well described by the formula presented in this study.
Variational optimization of the two-electron reduced-density matrix under pure-state N-representability conditions
Authors: DePrince A. Eugene
Published: October 2016

The direct variational optimization of the ground-state two-electron reduced-density matrix (2-RDM) is typically performed under ensemble N-representability conditions. Accordingly, variationally obtained 2-RDMs for degenerate ground states may not represent a pure state. When considering only ground-state energetics, the ensemble nature of the 2-RDM is of little consequence. However, the use of ensemble densities within an extended random phase approximation (ERPA) yields astonishingly poor estimates of excitation energies, even for simple atomic systems [H. van Aggelen et al., Comput. Theor. Chem. 1003, 50–54 (2013)]. Here, we outline an approach for the direct variational optimization of ground-state 2-RDMs that satisfy pure-state N-representability known as generalized Pauli constraints. Within the ERPA, 2-RDMs that satisfy both ensemble conditions and the generalized Pauli constraints yield much more reliable estimates of excitation energies than those that satisfy only ensemble conditions.
Electron impact ionization dynamics of para-benzoquinone
Authors: Jones D. B. , Ali E. , Ning C. G. , Colgan J. , Ingólfsson O. , Madison D. H. , Brunger M. J.
Published: October 2016

Triple differential cross sections (TDCSs) for the electron impact ionization of the unresolved combination of the 4 highest occupied molecular orbitals (4b3g, 5b2u, 1b1g, and 2b3u) of para-benzoquinone are reported. These were obtained in an asymmetric coplanar geometry with the scattered electron being observed at the angles −7.5°, −10.0°, −12.5° and −15.0°. The experimental cross sections are compared to theoretical calculations performed at the molecular 3-body distorted wave level, with a marginal level of agreement between them being found. The character of the ionized orbitals, through calculated momentum profiles, provides some qualitative interpretation for the measured angular distributions of the TDCS.
Single-dot spectroscopy of boron and phosphorus codoped silicon quantum dots
Authors: Kanno Takashi , Sugimoto Hiroshi , Fucikova Anna , Valenta Jan , Fujii Minoru
Published: October 2016

Boron (B) and phosphorous (P) codoped silicon quantum dots (Si QDs) are dispersible in polar solvents without organic ligands, and exhibit size controllable photoluminescence (PL) from 0.85 to 1.85 eV due to the electronic transitions between the donor and the acceptor states. We study the PL spectra of the codoped Si QDs at room temperature and at 77 K. We show that the broad PL band of codoped colloidal Si QDs (full width at half maximum is over 400 meV) is composed of narrower PL bands of individual QDs with different PL energies. We also show that the PL linewidth of individual codoped Si QDs is almost twice as large as those of undoped Si QDs. In contrast to the significant narrowing of the PL linewidth of undoped Si QDs at low temperatures, that of codoped Si QDs is almost independent of the temperature except for a few very small QDs. These results suggest that a large number of B and P are doped in a QD and there are a number of non-identical luminescence centers in each QD.
Vortex dynamics in a thin superconducting film with a non-uniform magnetic field applied at its center with a small coil
Authors: Lemberger Thomas R. , Loh Yen Lee
Published: October 2016

This paper models the dynamics of vortices that are generated in the middle of a thin, large-area, superconducting film by a low-frequency magnetic field from a small coil, motivated by a desire to better understand measurements of the superconducting coherence length made with a two-coil apparatus. When the applied field exceeds a critical value, vortices and antivortices originate near the middle of the film at the radius where the Lorentz force of the screening supercurrent is largest. The Lorentz force from the screening supercurrent pushes vortices toward the center of the film and antivortices outward. In an experiment, vortices are detected as an increase in mutual inductance between the drive coil and a coaxial “pickup” coil on the opposite side of the film. The model shows that the essential features of measurements are well described when vortex pinning and the attendant hysteresis are included.
Low-temperature anomalous magnetic behavior of Co2TiO4 and Co2SnO4
Authors: Nayak S. , Dasari K. , Joshi D. C. , Pramanik P. , Palai R. , Waske A. , Chauhan R. N. , Tiwari N. , Sarkar T. , Thota S.
Published: October 2016

We report the low-temperature anomalous magnetic behavior of ferrimagnetic spinels cobalt orthotitanate (Co2TiO4), which exhibits magnetic compensation behavior across 31.74 K, and cobalt orthostannate (Co2SnO4) exhibiting two sequential magnetic transitions, namely (i) ferrimagnetic to paramagnetic transition with Néel temperature TN ∼ 41 K and reentrant spin-glass behavior with glass transition temperature TSG ∼ 39 K. The Arrott plot (H/M versus M2) criterion has been used to extricate the order of sequential magnetic transitions occurring below TN. Negative slopes of the Arrott plots below 32 K, metamagnetic-like character of the M-H isotherms, anomalies in the specific-heat (CP T−1 versus T) below 15 K, and a zero-crossover of isothermal magnetic-entropy-change (ΔS) signify the presence of pseudo first-order discontinuous magnetic phase transition in the low-temperature regime 5 K ≤ T ≤ 32 K. The dc- and ac-susceptibilities of both Co2TiO4 and Co2SnO4 are interpreted in terms of frozen-spin-clusters, which are responsible for very large magnitudes of the coercivity HC ∼ 20 kOe and bipolar-exchange bias HEB ∼ −20 kOe observed below 10 K.
The significance of grain morphology, moisture, and strain rate on the rapid compaction of silica sands
Authors: Perry J. I. , Braithwaite C. H. , Taylor N. E. , Pullen A. D. , Jardine A. P.
Published: October 2016

There is considerable interest in the high-rate compaction of brittle granular materials such as sand. However, the vast majority of studies focus on a single granular system, limiting our ability to make comparisons between materials to discern how granular structure manifests as bulk material response. Here, three different silica sands with similar grain size and shape are studied: we compare a rough quarry sand, a smoother-grained sand, and a sandy loam. Quasi-static compaction and planar shock loading responses are compared, and recovered samples analyzed. The combination provides information regarding the interplay between granular properties, loading conditions, and material response. We show that the fundamental grain-scale behaviour depends on loading conditions: At low strain rates compaction behaviour is dominated by grain morphology, and in particular, smoothness and particle size distribution. Under shock loading, grain rearrangement and force chain effects are suppressed, and the nature of inter-granular contact points, modified by the presence of moisture or fines, is most important. Furthermore, grain fracture under shock loading is substantially reduced with increasing moisture content.
Deterministic transfer of spin polarization in wire-like lateral structures via the persistent spin helix
Authors: Schwemmer M. , Hanninger A. , Weingartner M. , Oltscher M. , Ciorga M. , Weiss D. , Schuh D. , Bougeard D. , Korn T. , Schüller C.
Published: October 2016

We used spatially- and time-resolved Kerr rotation microscopy to show that in lateral wire-like structures, based on a modulation-doped GaAs-AlGaAs quantum well, an optically initialized spin polarization can be deterministically transferred to specific lateral positions, employing the persistent spin helix (PSH). To this end, we show that confinement in two directions leads to a strong enhancement of the effective decay time of spin polarization, which can be exploited to transfer spin polarization over relatively large lateral distances. This is demonstrated by the investigation of L-shaped wire-like lateral structures, where the legs are positioned in directions parallel and perpendicular to the wave vector of the PSH.
Effects of filamentation instability on the divergence of relativistic electrons driven by ultraintense laser pulses
Authors: Yang X. H. , Zhuo H. B. , Xu H. , Ge Z. Y. , Shao F. Q. , Borghesi M. , Ma Y. Y.
Published: October 2016

Generation of relativistic electron (RE) beams during ultraintense laser pulse interaction with plasma targets is studied by collisional particle-in-cell simulations. A strong magnetic field with a transverse scale length of several local plasma skin depths, associated with RE current propagation in the target, is generated by filamentation instability in collisional plasmas, inducing a great enhancement of the divergence of REs compared to that of collisionless cases. Such an effect is increased with laser intensity and target charge state, suggesting that the RE divergence might be improved by using low-Z materials under appropriate laser intensities in future fast ignition experiments and in other applications of laser-driven electron beams.