bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hindlimb Ischemia Impairs Endothelial Recovery and Increases Neointimal Proliferation in the Carotid Artery
Authors: Sorrentino Sabato , Iaconetti Claudio , De Rosa Salvatore , Polimeni Alberto , Sabatino Jolanda , Gareri Clarice , Passafaro Francesco , Mancuso Teresa , Tammè Laura , Mignogna Chiara , Camastra Caterina , Esposito Giovanni , Curcio Antonio , Torella Daniele , Indolfi Ciro
Published: January 2018

Peripheral ischemia is associated with higher degree of endothelial dysfunction and a worse prognosis after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). However, the role of peripheral ischemia on vascular remodeling in remote districts remains poorly understood. Here we show that the presence of hindlimb ischemia significantly enhances neointima formation and impairs endothelial recovery in balloon-injured carotid arteries. Endothelial-derived microRNAs are involved in the modulation of these processes. Indeed, endothelial miR-16 is remarkably upregulated after vascular injury in the presences of hindlimb ischemia and exerts a negative effect on endothelial repair through the inhibition of RhoGDIα and nitric oxide (NO) production. We showed that the repression of RhoGDIα by means of miR-16 induces RhoA, with consequent reduction of NO bioavailability. Thus, hindlimb ischemia affects negative carotid remodeling increasing neointima formation after injury, while systemic antagonizzation of miR-16 is able to prevent these negative effects.
Prognostic significance of HALP (hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte and platelet) in patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy
Authors: Peng Ding , Zhang Cui-jian , Gong Yan-qing , Hao Han , Guan Bao , Li Xue-song , Zhou Li-qun
Published: January 2018

The outcome of bladder cancer after radical cystectomy is heterogeneous. We aim to evaluate the prognostic value of HALP (hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte and platelet) and explore novel prognostic indexes for patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy. In this retrospective study, 516 patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy were included. The median follow-up was 37 months (2 to 99 mo). Risk factors of decreased overall survival were older age, high TNM stage, high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade and low HALP score. The predictive accuracy was better with HALP-based nomogram than TNM stage (C- index 0.76 ± 0.039 vs. 0.708 ± 0.041). By combining ASA grade and HALP, we created a novel index—HALPA score and found it an independent risk factor for decreased survival (HALPA score = 1, HR 1.624, 95% CI 1.139–2.314, P = 0.007; HALPA score = 2, HR 3.471, 95% CI: 1.861–6.472, P < 0.001).The present study identified the prognostic value of HALP and provided a novel index HALPA score for bladder cancer after radical cystectomy.
Tuning charge carrier transport and optical birefringence in liquid-crystalline thin films: A new design space for organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Keum Chang-Min , Liu Shiyi , Al-Shadeedi Akram , Kaphle Vikash , Callens Michiel Koen , Han Lu , Neyts Kristiaan , Zhao Hongping , Gather Malte C. , Bunge Scott D. , Twieg Robert J. , Jakli Antal , Lüssem Björn
Published: January 2018

Liquid-crystalline organic semiconductors exhibit unique properties that make them highly interesting for organic optoelectronic applications. Their optical and electrical anisotropies and the possibility to control the alignment of the liquid-crystalline semiconductor allow not only to optimize charge carrier transport, but to tune the optical property of organic thin-film devices as well. In this study, the molecular orientation in a liquid-crystalline semiconductor film is tuned by a novel blading process as well as by different annealing protocols. The altered alignment is verified by cross-polarized optical microscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. It is shown that a change in alignment of the liquid-crystalline semiconductor improves charge transport in single charge carrier devices profoundly. Comparing the current-voltage characteristics of single charge carrier devices with simulations shows an excellent agreement and from this an in-depth understanding of single charge carrier transport in two-terminal devices is obtained. Finally, p-i-n type organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) compatible with vacuum processing techniques used in state-of-the-art OLEDs are demonstrated employing liquid-crystalline host matrix in the emission layer.
Ultrafast consolidation of bulk nanocrystalline titanium alloy through ultrasonic vibration
Authors: Chen P. , Liao W. B. , Liu L. H. , Luo F. , Wu X. Y. , Li P. J. , Yang C. , Yan M. , Liu Y. , Zhang L. C. , Liu Z. Y.
Published: January 2018

Nanocrystalline (NC) materials have fascinating physical and chemical properties, thereby they exhibit great prospects in academic and industrial fields. Highly efficient approaches for fabricating bulk NC materials have been pursued extensively over past decades. However, the instability of nanograin, which is sensitive to processing parameters (such as temperature and time), is always a challenging issue to be solved and remains to date. Herein, we report an ultrafast nanostructuring strategy, namely ultrasonic vibration consolidation (UVC). The strategy utilizes internal friction heat, generated from mutually rubbing between Ti-based metallic glass powders, to heat the glassy alloy rapidly through its supercooled liquid regime, and accelerated viscous flow bonds the powders together. Consequently, bulk NC-Ti alloy with grain size ranging from 10 to 70 nm and nearly full density is consolidated in 2 seconds. The novel consolidation approach proposed here offers a general and highly efficient pathway for manufacturing bulk nanomaterials.
Hyaluronic acid-based nano-sized drug carrier-containing Gellan gum microspheres as potential multifunctional embolic agent
Authors: Hsu Ming Fang , Tyan Yen Sheng , Chien Yu Chen , Lee Ming Wei
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this study was to develop a gellan gum-based multifunctional embolic agent. Calibrated spherical gellan gum and nanoparticle-containing gellan gum microspheres were prepared via water-in oil emulsification method. Self-assembled nanoparticles composed of short-chain hyaluronic acid and polyethylenimine as the doxorubicin carrier were prepared. The short-chain hyaluronic acid/polyethylenimine/ doxorubicin (sHH/PH/Dox) with the mean size was 140 ± 8 nm. To examine sHH/PH/Dox nanoparticle uptake into cells, the results confirmed that sHH/PH nanoparticles as drug carrier can facilitate the transport of doxorubicin into HepG2 liver cancer cells. Subsequently, sHH/PH/Dox merged into the gellan gum (GG) microspheres forming GG/sHH/PH/Dox microsphere. After a drug release experiment lasting 45 days, the amount of released doxorubicin from 285, 388, and 481 μm GG/sHH/PH/Dox microspheres were approximately 4.8, 1.8 and 1.1-fold above the IC50 value of the HepG2 cell. GG/sHH/PH/Dox microspheres were performed in rabbit ear embolization model and ischemic necrosis on ear was visible due to the vascular after 8 days. Regarding the application of this device in the future, we aim to provide better embolization agents for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).
Long-Term Maintenance of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells on cRGDfK-Presenting Synthetic Surfaces
Authors: Lambshead Jack W. , Meagher Laurence , Goodwin Jacob , Labonne Tanya , Ng Elizabeth , Elefanty Andrew , Stanley Edouard , O’Brien Carmel M. , Laslett Andrew L.
Published: January 2018

Synthetic human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) culture surfaces with defined physical and chemical properties will facilitate improved research and therapeutic applications of hPSCs. In this study, synthetic surfaces for hPSC culture in E8 medium were produced for screening by modifying two polymer brush coatings [poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PAAA) and poly(acrylamide-co-propargyl acrylamide) (PAPA)] to present single peptides. Adhesion of hPSC colonies was more consistently observed on surfaces modified with cRGDfK compared to surfaces modified with other peptide sequences tested. PAPA-coated polystyrene flasks with coupled cRGDfK (cRGDfK-PAPA) were then used for long-term studies of three hPSC lines (H9, hiPS-NHF1.3, Genea-02). Cell lines maintained for ten passages on cRGDfK-PAPA were assessed for colony morphology, proliferation rate, maintenance of OCT4 expression, cell viability at harvest, teratoma formation potential, and global gene expression as assessed by the PluriTest™ assay. cRGDfK-PAPA and control cultures maintained on Geltrex™ produced comparable results in most assays. No karyotypic abnormalities were detected in cultures maintained on cRGDfK-PAPA, while abnormalities were detected in cultures maintained on Geltrex™, StemAdhere™ or Synthemax™. This is the first report of long term maintenance of hPSC cultures on the scalable, stable, and cost-effective cRGDfK-PAPA coating.
Dysfunction of CD19+CD24hiCD27+ B regulatory cells in patients with bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Liu Zhenfeng , Dang Erle , Li Bing , Qiao Hongjiang , Jin Liang , Zhang Jieyu , Wang Gang
Published: January 2018

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering skin disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies against the hemidesmosomal protein BP180. B regulatory cells (Bregs) are crucial in maintaining self-tolerance and suppressing autoantibody production. However, it is still unclear whether the dysfunctions of Bregs contributes to the autoantibody production in BP patients. In this study, we found that CD19+CD24hiCD27+Bregs and IL-10+CD19+Bregs were significantly increased in the peripheral blood samples of BP patients compared with that in healthy controls. Moreover, compared to Bregs from healthy individuals, we found that Bregs from BP patients fails to suppress the production of specific anti-BP180 autoantibody when co-cultured with patient-derived PBMCs. Additionally, Bregs from BP patients were defective in suppressing the CD4+T cell proliferation and the cytokines expression (including IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-4). Notably, we found that patient-derived Bregs produced high level of TNF-α and the TNF inhibitor etanercept could inhibit the autoantibody production in the culture systemin vitro. Our results indicate that Bregs from BP patient appear phenotypically pro-inflammatory by their cytokine profile and are defective in immunosuppressive function, which suggest that Bregs play a pro-inflammatory role rather than a regulatory role in the pathogenesis of BP.
Transcriptome profiling during mangrove viviparity in response to abscisic acid
Authors: Hong Liwei , Su Wenyue , Zhang Yuanye , Ye Congting , Shen Yingjia , Li Qingshun Q.
Published: January 2018

Mangrove plants adapt to coastal tidal mudflats with specially evolved viviparity seed development. However, very little is known about the genetic and molecular mechanisms of mangrove viviparity. Here, we tested a hypothesis that plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a significant role in precocious germination of viviparous Kandelia obovata seeds by exogenous applications. Through transcriptome analysis of ABA treated seeds, it was found that ABA repressed mangrove fruit growth and development, and there were thousands of genes differentially expressed. As a result, dynamics of the pathways were dramatically altered. In particular, “Plant hormone signal transduction” and “MAPK signaling pathway” were represented significantly. Among differentially expressed genes, some key genes of ABA signal transduction were induced, while ABA biosynthesis genes were repressed. Take ABI1 and ABI2, key negative regulators in ABA signal pathway, as examples, homologous alignment and a phylogenetic tree in various species showed that ABI1 and ABI2 are highly conserved among various species. The functional similarity of these genes was confirmed by transgenic work in Arabidopsis. Taken together, ABA inhibited mangrove viviparity, but mangroves developed a mechanism to prevent accidently increase of ABA in the harsh environment for maintaining viviparous reproductive strategy.
Affinity resins as new tools for identifying target proteins of ascorbic acid
Authors: Iwaoka Yuji , Nishino Kohei , Ishikawa Takahiro , Ito Hideyuki , Sawa Yoshihiro , Tai Akihiro
Published: January 2018

AA-immobilized affinity resins were synthesized to identify new AA-targeted proteins for elucidating the physiological mechanism of AA.
A flexible polyaniline-based bioelectronic patch
Authors: Cui Chen , Faraji Nastaran , Lauto Antonio , Travaglini Lorenzo , Tonkin Joanne , Mahns David , Humphrey Eleanor , Terracciano Cesare , Gooding J. Justin , Seidel Jan , Mawad Damia
Published: January 2018

A flexible bioelectronic patch designed to have optimal electrical properties, biocompatibility and electroactivity after 2 week in vivo implantation.
Methylated chromenoquinoline dyes: synthesis, optical properties, and application for mitochondrial labeling
Authors: Liu Xingjiang , Li Ying , Ren Xiaojie , Yang Qinwei , Su Yuanan , He Long , Song Xiangzhi
Published: January 2018

Methylated chromenoquinoline dyes were designed and synthesized, and their photophysical properties were investigated.
Fluorescence spectroscopy reveals N-terminal order in fibrillar forms of α-synuclein
Authors: Haney Conor M. , Petersson E. James
Published: January 2018

Fluorescence measurements are used to characterize the structure of fibrils of the neuronal protein α-synuclein, which play a key role in Parkinson's disease.
Three-component difluoroalkylation and trifluoromethylthiolation/trifluoromethylselenolation of π-bonds
Authors: Zhang Bo-Sheng , Gao Lu-Yao , Zhang Zhe , Wen Yu-Hua , Liang Yong-Min
Published: January 2018

This report describes a new method for three-component difluoroalkylation and trifluoromethylthiolation/trifluoromethylselenolation of π-bonds via air-stable SCF3 and SeCF3 reagents as free-radical initiators of ethyl iododifluoroacetate.
Ultrasmall Sn nanoparticles embedded in spherical hollow carbon for enhanced lithium storage properties
Authors: Zhang Ning , Wang Yuanyuan , Jia Ming , Liu Yongchang , Xu Jianzhong , Jiao Lifang , Cheng Fangyi
Published: January 2018

Ultrasmall Sn nanoparticles (∼5 nm) homogeneously embedded in the shell of spherical hollow carbon show enhanced lithium storage properties with high capacity and a long life.
Lithiation of palladated dihydropentacene: a new route for the introduction of substituents from both of electrophiles and nucleophiles to pentacene
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Nakajima Kiyohiko , Song Zhiyi , Takahashi Tamotsu
Published: January 2018

A lithiated-palladated dihydropentacene complex was treated with electrophiles and nucleophiles successively to give substituted pentacene derivatives.
Recurrent supramolecular motifs in discrete complexes and coordination polymers based on mercury halides: prevalence of chelate ring stacking and substituent effects
Authors: Mahmoudi Ghodrat , Zaręba Jan K. , Bauzá Antonio , Kubicki Maciej , Bartyzel Agata , Keramidas Anastasios D. , Butusov Leonid , Mirosław Barbara , Frontera Antonio
Published: January 2018

We report the synthesis, X-ray characterization and DFT study of five Hg(ii) complexes with Schiff bases containing a nicotinohydrazide core to explore the formation of chelate-ring π-stacking interactions.
Photoinduced ICT vs. excited rotamer intercoversion in two quadrupolar polyaromatic N-methylpyridinium cations
Authors: Cesaretti A. , Carlotti B. , Elisei F. , Fortuna C. G. , Spalletti A.
Published: January 2018

The excited state deactivation of two quadrupolar polyaromatic N-methylpyridinium cations is ruled by either Rotamer Interconversion (RI) in the molecule bearing two naphthyl side groups or Intramolecular Charge Transfer (ICT) by extending the aromaticity in the pyrenyl derivative.
Design of donor–acceptor copolymers for organic photovoltaic materials: a computational study
Authors: Turan Haydar Taylan , Kucur Oğuzhan , Kahraman Birce , Salman Seyhan , Aviyente Viktorya
Published: January 2018

80 different push–pull type organic chromophores which possess Donor–Acceptor (D–A) and Donor–Thiophene–Donor–Thiophene (D–T–A–T) structures have been systematically investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) at the B3LYP/6-311G* level.
Fabrication of strong bifunctional electrocatalytically active hybrid Cu–Cu2O nanoparticles in a carbon matrix
Authors: Muthukumar Pandi , Kumar Vadivel Vinod , Reddy Gajjala Rajendra Kumar , Kumar P. Suresh , Anthony Savarimuthu Philip
Published: January 2018

Earth-abundant copper-based hybrid Cu–Cu2ONPs@C in the carbon matrix exhibited enhanced OER and HER catalytic activity compared to pure Cu2O and CuNPs@C.
Influence of dimensionality and crystallization on visible-light hydrogen production of Au@TiO2 core–shell photocatalysts based on localized surface plasmon resonance
Authors: Liu Bing , Jiang Yan , Wang Yin , Shang Shuxia , Ni Yuanman , Zhang Nan , Cao Minhua , Hu Changwen
Published: January 2018

We synthesized four Au@TiO2 nanostructures, which exhibit dimensionality- and crystallinity-dependent photocatalytic activity towards H2 generation.
BN nanoparticle/Ag hybrids with enhanced catalytic activity: theory and experiments
Authors: Konopatsky Anton S. , Firestein Konstantin L. , Leybo Denis V. , Popov Zakhar I. , Larionov Konstantin V. , Steinman Alexander E. , Kovalskii Andrey M. , Matveev Andrei T. , Manakhov Anton M. , Sorokin Pavel B. , Golberg Dmitri , Shtansky Dmitry V.
Published: January 2018

BNNPs/Ag nanohybrids with an optimal amount of B2O3 demonstrated a higher catalytic activity.
Heterojunction ZnWO4/ZnFe2O4 composites with concerted effects and integrated properties for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Veldurthi Naveen Kumar , Eswar Neerugatti KrishnaRao , Singh Satyapaul A. , Madras Giridhar
Published: January 2018

A novel co-catalyst free ZnWO4/ZnFe2O4 heterojunction composite was successfully synthesized using a facile co-precipitation method for photocatalytic H2 evolution.
A high-speed network of nanoswitches for on/off control of catalysis
Authors: Gaikwad Sudhakar , Pramanik Susnata , De Soumen , Schmittel Michael
Published: January 2018

Copper(i) ion translocation is the key for fast and reliable communication between networked devices in the catalytic machinery.
Purification, characterization and anti-fatigue activity of polysaccharide fractions from okra (Abelmoschus esculentus(L.)Moench)
Authors: Gao Han , Zhang Wencheng , Wang Bingsong , Hui Ailing , Du Biao , Wang Tingting , Meng Ling , Bian Huixi , Wu Zeyu
Published: January 2018

Two polysaccharide fractions (AEP-1 and AEP-2) extracted fromAbelmoschus esculentus(L.)Moenchpresented dose-dependently positive effects on the fatigue-related parameters.
Effect of speciation transformation of manganese on aggregation and deposition of graphene oxide
Authors: Shu Min , Gao Xiang , Li Guiwei , Zhu Weihuang , Hao Haotian , Shi Baoyou
Published: January 2018

Graphene oxides can be effectively aggregated byin situformed manganese oxides.
Functional liquid structures by emulsification of graphene and other two-dimensional nanomaterials
Authors: Large Matthew J. , Ogilvie Sean P. , Meloni Manuela , Amorim Graf Aline , Fratta Giuseppe , Salvage Jonathan , King Alice A. K. , Dalton Alan B.
Published: January 2018

Pickering emulsions stabilised with nanomaterials provide routes to a range of functional macroscopic assemblies.
Supercurrent and multiple Andreev reflections in micrometer-long ballistic graphene Josephson junctions
Authors: Zhu Mengjian , Ben Shalom Moshe , Mishchsenko Artem , Fal'ko Vladimir , Novoselov Kostya , Geim Andre
Published: January 2018

A 1.5 micrometer-long ballistic graphene Josephson junction has been successfully fabricated, demonstrating a large critical current density and multiple Andreev reflections.
Solvent switchable nanostructures and the function of a π-amphiphile
Authors: Sikder Amrita , Sarkar Jayita , Sakurai Tsuneaki , Seki Shu , Ghosh Suhrit
Published: January 2018

This manuscript reports solvent tunable functional nano-assemblies of an unsymmetrical bola-shaped π-amphiphile (NDI-PY), which consists of a hydrophobic naphthalene-diimide (NDI) chromophore connected to a non-ionic hydrophilic wedge and a pyridine group at its two opposite arms.
Unconventional gas-based bottom-up, meter-area-scale fabrication of hydrogen-bond free g-CN nanorod arrays and coupling layers with TiO2 toward high-efficiency photoelectrochemical performance
Authors: Wang Ruyi , Liu Huidong , Fan Zhongwen , Li Liang , Cai Yao , Xu Guangzhou , Luo Wenjun , Yang Bing , Zhou Yong , Zou Zhigang
Published: January 2018

A straightforward gas-based bottom-up method VMFAIP was used to fabricate meter-scale uniform g-CN nanorod arrays directly on FTO glass.
Plasmonic behaviour and plasmon-induced charge separation of nanostructured MoO3−xunder near infrared irradiation
Authors: Lee Seung Hyuk , Nishi Hiroyasu , Tatsuma Tetsu
Published: January 2018

Plasmonic MoO3−xnanostructures were developed on template nanoparticles and plasmon-induced charge separation was performed under near infrared light at the interface between the nanostructure and TiO2.
Synthesis and characterization of a photocleavable collagen-like peptide
Authors: Ornelas Alfredo , Williams Kaitlyn N. , Hatch Kevin A. , Paez Aurelio , Aguilar Angela C. , Ellis Cameron C. , Tasnim Nishat , Ray Supriyo , Dirk Carl W. , Boland Thomas , Joddar Binata , Li Chunqiang , Michael Katja
Published: January 2018

On resin fragment condensation was used to assemble a photoreactive collagen-like peptide; photolysis occurs at the N-peptidyl-nitroindoline bonds.
A one-pot synthetic approach for the construction of a thiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazole-linked quinazoline scaffoldviapalladium-catalyzed reactions
Authors: Keivanloo Ali , Soozani Atena , Bakherad Mohammad , Amin Amir Hossein
Published: January 2018

4-(2-Substituted-[1,3]thiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazol-3-yl)quinazolin-2-amines were prepared by the reaction of 2,4-dichloroquinazoline, terminal alkynes, secondary amines, and 1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2(3H)-thione in the presence of palladium catalyst.
Recent advances in the intramolecular Mannich reaction in natural products total synthesis
Authors: Shi Yingbo , Wang Qiaoling , Gao Shuanhu
Published: January 2018

This review focuses on selected applications of the intramolecular Mannich reaction as a key step in the total synthesis of natural products (2000–2017).
Synthesis and kinetics of disassembly for silyl-containing ethoxycarbonyls using fluoride ions
Authors: Camerino Eugene , Daniels Grant C. , Wynne James H. , Iezzi Erick B.
Published: January 2018

Rate constants of disassembly for synthesized silyl-containing ethoxycarbonyls were significantly faster than TEOC, a common protecting group.
Exploring corrosion protection properties of alkyd@lanthanide bis-phthalocyanine nanocomposite coatings
Authors: Deyab M. A. , Słota R. , Bloise E. , Mele G.
Published: January 2018

Organic coatings have been widely used to protect carbon steel pipelines from external corrosion; however, they often suffer from permeability and weak adhesion.
Morin incorporated polysaccharide–protein (psyllium–keratin) hydrogel scaffolds accelerate diabetic wound healing in Wistar rats
Authors: Ponrasu Thangavel , Veerasubramanian Praveen Krishna , Kannan Ramya , Gopika Selvakumar , Suguna Lonchin , Muthuvijayan Vignesh
Published: January 2018

Morin loaded polysaccharide–protein composite scaffolds enhance diabetic wound healing.
Comparative analysis of oxidative mechanisms of phloroglucinol and dieckol by electrochemical, spectroscopic, cellular and computational methods
Authors: Zhang Di , Wang Chengtao , Shen Lingqin , Shin Hyeon-Cheol , Lee Kyung Bok , Ji Baoping
Published: January 2018

The pH-dependent oxidative mechanism of two phlorotannin compounds.
Eco-friendly seeded Fe3O4-Ag nanocrystals: a new type of highly efficient and low cost catalyst for methylene blue reduction
Authors: Liu Y. , Zhang Y. Y. , Kou Q. W. , Chen Y. , Han D. L. , Wang D. D. , Lu Z. Y. , Chen L. , Yang J. H. , Xing S.
Published: January 2018

Hybrid Fe3O4-Ag nanocrystals, a new type of highly efficient and reusable catalyst for methylene blue (MB) reduction, are fabricated by a novel seed deposition process.
Hard-template-engaged formation of Co2V2O7 hollow prisms for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Chu Xuefeng , Wang Huan , Chi Yaodan , Wang Chao , Lei Lei , Zhang Wentong , Yang Xiaotian
Published: January 2018

A novel hard-template-assisted method is developed to fabricate high quality Co2V2O7 hollow nanoprisms. When evaluated as anode materials for lithium ion batteries, they exhibited a remarkable enhanced performance compared with the solid ones.
Hybrid BiOBr/UiO-66-NH2 composite with enhanced visible-light driven photocatalytic activity toward RhB dye degradation
Authors: Bibi Rehana , Shen Quanhao , Wei Lingfei , Hao Dandan , Li Naixu , Zhou Jiancheng
Published: January 2018

Metal–organic framework (MOFs) based composites have received more research interest for photocatalytic applications during recent years.
A facile molecularly imprinted polymer-based fluorometric assay for detection of histamine
Authors: Feng Xiaotong , Ashley Jon , Zhou Tongchang , Halder Arnab , Sun Yi
Published: January 2018

A new molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based fluorometric assay was developed to directly quantify histamine in real samples.
Identification of a hot-spot to enhanceCandida rugosalipase thermostability by rational design methods
Authors: Li Guanlin , Chen Yuan , Fang Xingrong , Su Feng , Xu Li , Yan Yunjun
Published: January 2018

The thermostability ofCandida rugosalipase expressed in a eukaryotic host is enhanced with limited experimental effort based on rational design methods.
Sealing of anodized magnesium alloy AZ31 with MgAl layered double hydroxides layers
Authors: Zhang Gen , Wu Liang , Tang Aitao , Weng Bo , Atrens Andrej , Ma Shida , Liu Lei , Pan Fusheng
Published: January 2018

In this work anodized magnesium alloy AZ31 with and without boiling water sealing was pre-prepared, and then MgAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH) films were fabricated on it through hydrothermal chemical conversion of the pre-prepared anodic layer.
Insight into the synergism between MnO2 and acid sites over Mn–SiO2@TiO2 nano-cups for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3
Authors: Zheng Siyi , Song Lei , Tang Siyang , Liu Changjun , Yue Hairong , Liang Bin
Published: January 2018

A novel Mn–SiO2@TiO2 nano-cup catalyst with synergy of MnO2 and acid sites for efficient low-temperature SCR reaction.
Small angle X-ray scattering study of microvoid evolution and pertinence of microvoid and mechanical properties in γ-irradiated CFs
Authors: Feng Tingting , Zhao Yufen , Shi Jie , Liu Liangsen , Li Nan , Xu Zhiwei , Zhao Lihuan , Tian Xu , Mai Wei , Li Yinglin
Published: January 2018

To explore the mechanism of microvoid evolution and the pertinence of microvoid and mechanical behavior of carbon fibers (CFs) in γ-irradiation, T700 CFs were exposed to γ-rays under epoxy chloropropane (ECP) and argon (Ar) at room temperature.
Acridinedione as selective flouride ion chemosensor: a detailed spectroscopic and quantum mechanical investigation
Authors: Iqbal Nafees , Ali Syed Abid , Munir Iqra , Khan Saima , Ayub Khurshid , al-Rashida Mariya , Islam Muhammad , Shafiq Zahid , Ludwig Ralf , Hameed Abdul
Published: January 2018

The use of small molecules as chemosensors for ion detection is rapidly gaining popularity by virtue of the advantages it offers over traditional ion sensing methods.
Application of response surface methodology and green carbon dots as reducing agents in speciation of iron
Authors: Shariati-Rad Masoud , Mohseninasab Tahereh , Parno Fatemeh
Published: January 2018

Herein, green synthetic approach was used to produce reducing carbon dots (CDs) and for the first time, corresponding reducing strengths were estimated.
Thermal decomposition behavior and kinetics for pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis of Douglas fir
Authors: Wang Lu , Lei Hanwu , Liu Jian , Bu Quan
Published: January 2018

Investigation of non-catalytic and catalytic pyrolysis of DF by thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the application of ZSM-5 reduced the activation energy.
A computational study of energy barriers of structural transformations and hydrogen transfer in boehmite
Authors: Jiang Yingjian , Xie Yaoping , Guo Haibo
Published: January 2018

Energy barriers for hydrogen-transfer processes are generally below 21 kJ mol−1 in a perfect crystal, and 14 kJ mol−1 in a vacancy-containing structure. The low energy barriers are indicators of the high proton conductivity of boehmite.
Preparation of curcuminoid microemulsions fromCurcuma longaL. to enhance inhibition effects on growth of colon cancer cells HT-29
Authors: Chen Yen Chu , Chen Bing Huei
Published: January 2018

The objectives of this study were to extract curcuminoids from a vital medicinal plantCurcuma longaL. and prepare the curcuminoid extract and microemulsion for studying the inhibition mechanism of HT-29 colon cancer cells.
Preparation of nanoporous alumina hollow spheres with a highly ordered hole arrangement
Authors: Yanagishita Takashi , Imaizumi Masahiko , Kondo Toshiaki , Masuda Hideki
Published: January 2018

Nanoporous alumina hollow spheres with a highly ordered hole arrangement prepared by two-step anodization of small Al particles.
The improvement of photocatalytic activity of monolayer g-C3N4viasurface charge transfer doping
Authors: Yang F. L. , Xia F. F. , Hu J. , Zheng C. Z. , Sun J. H. , Yi H. B.
Published: January 2018

The improvement of optical adsorption for monolayer g-C3N4viasurface charge transfer doping.
Targeted delivery of HES5-siRNA with novel polypeptide-modified nanoparticles for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy
Authors: Xia Yu , Wang Changbing , Xu Tiantian , Li Yinghua , Guo Min , Lin Zhengfang , Zhao Mingqi , Zhu Bing
Published: January 2018

A novel polypeptide RGDfC-modified selenium nanoparticle was fabricated to selectively deliver HES5-siRNA to tumors for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.
Molecular insights into the improved clinical performance of PEGylated interferon therapeutics: a molecular dynamics perspective
Authors: Xu Dong , Smolin Nikolai , Shaw Rance K. , Battey Samuel R. , Tao Aoxiang , Huang Yuying , Rahman Shaikh Emdadur , Caylor Matthew L.
Published: January 2018

We discovered molecular evidence that links PEGylation to improved clinical performance, yet at the expense of decreased bioactivity. Our computational approach will facilitate PEGylated protein drug design and optimize its overall therapeutic efficacy.
Renewable juglone nanowires with size-dependent charge storage properties
Authors: Guo Linlin , Wang Aifen , Hu Pengfei , Tian Aihua , Hao Rui , Yu Dandan , Yang Jie , Chen Dezhi , Wang Hua
Published: January 2018

Renewable juglone nanowires have been successfully fabricated, and their size effect on electrochemical charge-storage properties has been investigated.
Unveiling the photophysical and morphological properties of an acidochromic thiophene flanked dipyrrolopyrazine-based chromophore for optoelectronic application
Authors: Meti Puttavva , Gong Young-Dae
Published: January 2018

A series of dipyrrolopyrazine (DPP) based chromophores featuring thiophene and varied donor (N,N-dimethylamine, NH2, OMe) and acceptor (CF3, CN, NO2) appendages have been synthesized.
Reduction and pH dual-sensitive nanovesicles co-delivering doxorubicin and gefitinib for effective tumor therapy
Authors: Chen Yangui , Li Xiaoxia , Xiao Hong , Xiao Jinpeng , Li Bo , Chen Xiaoyan , Wang Yong , Cheng Du , Shuai Xintao
Published: January 2018

pH and reduction dual-sensitive polymeric nanovesicles were developed to simultaneously deliver hydrophobic gefitinib and hydrophilic doxorubicin for cancer therapy.
Amphiphilic diblock copolymer of hydrophilic-functionalized lactone and lactide via switchable organocatalytic polymerization
Authors: Bai Jinmei , Tang Xiaoying , Zhang Yuan , Lin Jingjing , Li Minfeng
Published: January 2018

Main-chain degradable amphiphilic diblock copolymers prepared by one-pot ring-opening polymerization via actively manipulating catalytic states of an acid–base catalytic system were capable of forming stable micelle with optimal particle size.
PLS regression-based chemometric modeling of odorant properties of diverse chemical constituents of black tea and coffee
Authors: Ojha Probir Kumar , Roy Kunal
Published: January 2018

We investigate the key structural features regulating the odorant properties of constituents present in black tea and coffee, the most attractive non-alcoholic beverages.
Modification of carbon felt anodes using double-oxidant HNO3/H2O2 for application in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Zhao Yu , Ma Yan , Li Ting , Dong Zhishuai , Wang Yuxue
Published: January 2018

Carbon felt is widely used as an anode material in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) because of its high specific surface area, low cost, good electrical conductivity, and biocompatibility.
Efficient promiscuous Knoevenagel condensation catalyzed by papain confined in Cu3(PO4)2 nanoflowers
Authors: Yu Jianyun , Chen Xinxin , Jiang Min , Wang Anming , Yang Linlin , Pei Xiaolin , Zhang Pengfei , Wu Stephen Gang
Published: January 2018

Knoevenagel condensation was catalyzed and enhanced by Cu2+ and papain on hybrid nanoflowers (hNFs) in the promiscuous catalysis.
Synthesis of benzoxazoles via an iron-catalyzed domino C–N/C–O cross-coupling reaction
Authors: Yang Bo , Hu Weiye , Zhang Songlin
Published: January 2018

The synthesis of benzoxazoles via an iron-catalyzed cascade C–N and C–O coupling is described.
Synthesis and characterization of Mn-doped CsPb(Cl/Br)3 perovskite nanocrystals with controllable dual-color emission
Authors: Wang Pengchao , Dong Bohua , Cui Zhenjie , Gao Rongjie , Su Ge , Wang Wei , Cao Lixin
Published: January 2018

Colloidal Mn-doped CsPb(Cl/Br)3 NCs were synthesized at different MnCl2-to-PbBr2 molar feed ratios or reaction temperatures to tune their color emission.
Water ring-bouncing on repellent singularities
Authors: Chantelot Pierre , Mazloomi Moqaddam Ali , Gauthier Anaïs , Chikatamarla Shyam S. , Clanet Christophe , Karlin Ilya V. , Quéré David
Published: January 2018

Texturing a flat superhydrophobic substrate with point-like superhydrophobic macrotextures of the same repellency makes impacting water droplets take off as rings, which leads to shorter bouncing times than on a flat substrate.
Highly porous coral-like silicon particles synthesized by an ultra-simple thermal-reduction method
Authors: Ngo Duc Tung , Le Hang T. T. , Pham Xuan-Manh , Jung Ji-Won , Vu Ngoc Hung , Fisher John G. , Im Won-Bin , Kim Il-Doo , Park Chan-Jin
Published: January 2018

The highly porous coral-like Si particles have been successfully synthesized using an ultra-simple Mg-thermal-reduction method in air.
Local structure and conductivity behaviour in Bi7WO13.5
Authors: Borowska-Centkowska A. , Leszczynska M. , Krok F. , Malys M. , Wrobel W. , Hull S. , Abrahams I.
Published: January 2018

Total neutron scattering analysis reveals details of cation coordination and vacancy distribution in Bi7WO13.5.
High lubricity and electrical responsiveness of solvent-free ionic SiO2 nanofluids
Authors: Guo Yuexia , Zhang Ligang , Zhang Ga , Wang Daoai , Wang Tingmei , Wang Qihua
Published: January 2018

Solvent-free ionic SiO2 nanofluids lubricant exhibited a responsive characteristic to electrical potential and triggered the formation of a nanostructured tribofilm.
Efficient photocatalytic fixation of N2by KOH-treated g-C3N4
Authors: Li Xiaoman , Sun Xiang , Zhang Ling , Sun Songmei , Wang Wenzhong
Published: January 2018

The photocatalytic N2conversion to NH3over KOH-treated g-C3N4under mild condition is a high-efficiency process.
An all-in-one self-healable capacitor with superior performance
Authors: Liu Fatang , Wang Jingchen , Pan Qinmin
Published: January 2018

A supercapacitor achieved by in situ integrating electroactive components into a single network exhibits superior capacitive properties after 10 breaking/healing cycles.
Improving mixed-matrix membrane performance via PMMA grafting from functionalized NH2–UiO-66
Authors: Molavi Hossein , Shojaei Akbar , Mousavi Seyyed Abbas
Published: January 2018

The major obstacles in gas separation by mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) are poor dispersion and poor affinity between polymers and fillers.
Enhanced electron transfer and light absorption on imino polymer capped PdAg nanowire networks for efficient room-temperature dehydrogenation of formic acid
Authors: Liu Hu , Huang Bolong , Zhou Jinhui , Wang Kai , Yu Yongsheng , Yang Weiwei , Guo Shaojun
Published: January 2018

Tuning the electronic interaction between networked PdAg nanowires and polyvinylpyrrolidine imine was first demonstrated to enhance the dehydrogenation catalysis of formic acid.
On-demand one-step synthesis of small-sized fluorescent–magnetic bifunctional microparticles on a droplet-splitting chip
Authors: Yang Yu-Jun , Tang Bo , Zhang Li , Wang Cheng , Ma Hao-Tian , Pang Dai-Wen , Zhang Zhi-Ling
Published: January 2018

Generation of small-sized multifunctional microparticles: multifunctional microparticles were easily produced based on droplet splitting and photopolymerization in a single step.
Engineering a protein-based nanoplatform as an antibacterial agent for light activated dual-modal photothermal and photodynamic therapy of infection in both the NIR I and II windows
Authors: Gao D. Y. , Ji X. , Wang J. L. , Wang Y. T. , Li D. L. , Liu Y. B. , Chang K. W. , Qu J. L. , Zheng J. , Yuan Z.
Published: January 2018

Ultra-small protein-based nanoparticles with absorption in both the NIR I and II biological windows were designed as new photoactivatable antibacterial agents.
Enhanced scratch resistance of self-assembled silica nanoparticle anti-reflection coatings
Authors: Metzman Jonathan S. , Wang Guanyu , Morris John R. , Heflin James R.
Published: January 2018

With proper pH adjustment, the addition of thermally-crosslinking polyelectrolytes can improve the scratch resistance of silica nanoparticle anti-reflection coatings.
Fabrication of plasmonic TiN nanostructures by nitridation of nanoimprinted TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Howell I. R. , Giroire B. , Garcia A. , Li S. , Aymonier C. , Watkins J. J.
Published: January 2018

Fabrication of TiN plasmonic nanopatterns using solvent-assisted nanoimprint lithography of TiO2 nanoparticle-based inks, followed by a nitridation reaction.
Plasmon-enhanced light absorption at organic-coated interfaces: collectivity matters
Authors: Zvyagina Alexandra I. , Ezhov Alexander A. , Meshkov Ivan N. , Ivanov Vladimir K. , Birin Kirill P. , König Burkhard , Gorbunova Yulia G. , Tsivadze Aslan Yu. , Arslanov Vladimir V. , Kalinina Maria A.
Published: January 2018

Intermolecular interactions in thin films of organic dyes control the enhancement of the optical absorption by collective plasmons of gold nanoparticles.
How does alkyl chain length modify the properties of triphenylamine-based hole transport materials?
Authors: Lin Kun-Han , Prlj Antonio , Corminboeuf Clémence
Published: January 2018

Manipulating the length of alkyl chains is a widely-adopted strategy to fine tune the properties of organic materials. Yet, a systematic exploration of the influence of chain length on those properties most relevant to highly performing hole transport materials in perovskite solar cells is lacking. Multiscale simulations, along with morphological analyses, uncover relationships between alkyl chain length and HTM properties providing important insights for the optimization of future organic materials.
Fast predictive technique for reverse power detection in synchronous generator
Authors: Yaghobi Hamid
Published: January 2018

Reverse power relays are utilised to trip turbine generators to avoid prime mover damage and directional relay is most widely used as the main protection for these conditions. An intentional time delay is ordinarily utilised to overcome the possible maloperation of these relays. However, the intentional time delay to prevent maloperation is not an ideal solution. As this time delay increases the reverse power relay operation time, which means that the motoring action of the synchronous generator persist for a longer time, making the prime mover more vulnerable to active power drawn by the generator. This study proposes a new flux‐based approach to detect reverse power condition in the synchronous generators. The proposed scheme uses the analysis of angular velocity and acceleration data that are calculated from the estimated magnetic flux at the machine stator terminals. The basic idea of the technique stems from the principle that the stator and rotor magnetic fluxes rotate together at synchronous speed and will not be affected by system disturbances for a short interval according to highly inductive characteristics of the synchronous machine. The main advantage of this predictive algorithm is its speed, security and sensitivity to detect the reverse power conditions.
Robust optimisation‐based state estimation considering parameter errors for systems observed by phasor measurement units
Authors: Kabiri Mehdi , Amjady Nima
Published: January 2018

This study presents a new robust state estimation (SE) approach for power systems that are monitored by synchronised phasor measurements. The proposed robust SE utilises the least absolute value (LAV) of residuals to determine the system state. Although conventional deterministic LAV‐based SE is robust against bad measurements, it is vulnerable with respect to the network parameters’ errors. In other words, the conventional LAV‐SE method is not robust against the network parameters’ errors and these errors can make the SE results inaccurate. The proposed robust SE aims at solving this problem of the conventional LAV‐SE. Robust optimisation, strong duality theorem, and Big‐M linearisation technique have been used to construct the proposed SE approach, which is robust against the network parameters’ errors. Additionally, the proposed robust SE is finally formulated as a tractable mixed‐integer linear programming optimisation problem. Comprehensive numerical experiments and a probabilistic evaluation approach are presented to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed robust SE compared to the conventional deterministic SE in the presence of the uncertainty source of network parameters’ errors.
Model predictive control scheme for coordinated voltage control of power systems at the presence of volatile wind power generation
Authors: Yassami Hossein , Rabiee Abbas , Jalilvand Abolfazl , Bayat Farhad
Published: January 2018

This study proposes an optimal voltage control scheme to deal with long‐term voltage stability of power systems. The control of voltage is accomplished by model predictive control (MPC) scheme. The control objective function considers the control efforts and the difference between the predicted and reference voltages. Also, this study considers the detailed non‐linear dynamic model of the system including doubly‐fed induction generator wind turbines, over excitation limiter and under‐load tap changer, which are important elements, should be considered in voltage stability evaluation of power systems. The proposed approach composed of the following two major stages at each time instance: first, the power system non‐linear dynamic equations are linearized and optimal control laws are obtained by MPC technique; in the second stage, the system dynamic behavior is investigated via time‐domain simulations by applying the attained optimal control signals at the first step. The proposed MPC‐based voltage control scheme is implemented on a well‐known test system, under variable wind speed and fault conditions. Also, this method's performance is compared with state feedback control technique. The obtained numerical results validate the capability of the proposed control scheme to preserve voltage stability at the presence of stochastic wind speed variations and severe disturbances.
Automated method for the detection and segmentation of drusen in colour fundus image for the diagnosis of age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Mohaimin Sultan Mohammad , Saha Sajib Kumar , Khan Alve Mahamud , Mohammad Arif Abu Shamim , Kanagasingam Yogesan
Published: January 2018

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main reasons for visual impairment worldwide. The assessment of risk for the development of AMD requires reliable detection and quantitative mapping of retinal abnormalities that are considered as precursors of the disease. Typical signs of the latter are the so‐called drusen that appear as yellowish spots in the retina. Automated detection and segmentation of drusen provide vital information about the severity of the disease. The authors propose a novel method for the detection and segmentation of drusen in colour fundus images. The method combines colour information of the object with its boundary information for the accurate detection and segmentation of drusen. To perform non‐uniform illumination correction and to minimise inter‐subject variability a novel colour normalisation method has been proposed. Experiments are conducted on publicly available STARE and ARIA datasets. The method achieves an overall accuracy of 96.62% which is about 4% higher than the state‐of‐the‐art method. The sensitivity and specificity of the proposed method are 95.96 and 97.64%, respectively.
Advanced multilayer thick‐film technology and TFMS, CPW, and SIW up to 180 GHz for cost‐effective ceramic‐based circuits and modules
Authors: Samanta Kamal K.
Published: January 2018

This study presents the design, accurate characterisation, and performance comparison for multilayer thin‐film microstrip (TFMS), coplanar waveguide (CPW), and substrate integrated waveguides (SIW) lines and interconnects for various transverse dimensions, which are fabricated on thin dielectric layers, using advanced ceramic‐based photoimageable thick‐film technology. The influence of ground‐plane width on multilayer finite‐ground planar transmission lines (TFMS and CPW) and the influence of cavity dimensions on SIW have been experimentally studied. This includes the variation of characteristic impedance and attenuation with normalised ground‐/cavity‐width and extending frequency to beyond 110 GHz (180 GHz, for SIW). Contrary to conventional fence‐post, metal‐filled trenches have been used for SIW, showing high performance (loss of 0.2 dB/mm at 110 GHz, even for a thin dielectric) and suitable for operation beyond 180 GHz, the highest frequency reported for off‐chip integration in MCMs. Further, for the first time, comprehensive comparative performances of traditional microstrip, TFMS, CPW, and SIW, in circuit/system design perspective, have been presented for enabling proper selection of transmission media and interconnect with optimum transverse/ground width, and development of compact and high performance millimetre‐wave multichip module front‐ends economically.
Sensor relocation for improved target tracking
Authors: Sweidan Husam I. , Havens Timothy C.
Published: January 2018

In many practical scenarios, targets tend to have certain mobility trends such as following a traverseable terrain, having a common starting/destination locations, or moving in a region with abundant resources. This work is interested in exploring the possible gain from sensor relocation in improving the localisation accuracy of targets that follow mobility trends similar to those previously observed. This objective is tackled using a three‐phase approach. In the first phase, the wireless sensor network tracks the targets based on the initial deployment. The second phase uses the location estimates from phase 1 to form a region of interest (ROI). The last phase carries out the sensor relocation to the ROI. Two fitness functions are explored for optimising sensors’ locations in the ROI, namely geometric dilution of precision and K‐coverage. K‐coverage offered the best performance especially for sensors with a short‐to‐medium detection range. The uniform random relocation offered a comparable performance with a relatively low computational complexity. Results also revealed the degradation in coverage rate due to relocating sensors to the ROI, and how optimising sensor locations outside the ROI can help in mending coverage holes.