bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost-effective scat-detection dogs: unleashing a powerful new tool for international mammalian conservation biology
Authors: Orkin Joseph D. , Yang Yuming , Yang Chunyan , Yu Douglas W. , Jiang Xuelong
Published: October 2016

Recently, detection dogs have been utilized to collect fecal samples from cryptic and rare mammals. Despite the great promise of this technique for conservation biology, its broader application has been limited by the high cost (tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars) and logistical challenges of employing a scat-detection dog team while conducting international, collaborative research. Through an international collaboration of primatologists and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, we trained and used a detection dog to find scat from three species of unhabituated, free-ranging primates, for less than $3,000. We collected 137 non-human primate fecal samples that we confirmed by sequencing taxonomically informative genetic markers. Our detection dog team had a 92% accuracy rate, significantly outperforming our human-only team. Our results demonstrate that detection dogs can locate fecal samples from unhabituated primates with variable diets, locomotion, and grouping patterns, despite challenging field conditions. We provide a model for in-country training, while also building local capacity for conservation and genetic monitoring. Unlike previous efforts, our approach will allow for the wide adoption of scat-detection dogs in international conservation biology.
The development of fluorescence turn-on probe for Al(III) sensing and live cell nucleus-nucleoli staining
Authors: Saini Anoop Kumar , Sharma Vinay , Mathur Pradeep , Shaikh Mobin M.
Published: October 2016

The morphology of nucleus and nucleolus is powerful indicator of physiological and pathological conditions. The specific staining of nucleolus recently gained much attention due to the limited and expensive availability of the only existing stain “SYTO RNA-Select”. Here, a new multifunctional salen type ligand (L1) and its Al3+ complex (1) are designed and synthesized. L1 acts as a chemosensor for Al3+ whereas 1 demonstrates specific staining of nucleus as well as nucleoli. The binding of 1 with nucleic acid is probed by DNase and RNase digestion in stained cells. 1 shows an excellent photostability, which is a limitation for existing nucleus stains during long term observations. 1 is assumed to be a potential candidate as an alternative to expensive commercial dyes for nucleus and nucleoli staining.
Two Dimensional Electrostrictive Field Effect Transistor (2D-EFET): A sub-60mV/decade Steep Slope Device with High ON current
Authors: Das Saptarshi
Published: October 2016

This article proposes a disruptive device concept which meets both low power and high performance criterion for post-CMOS computing and at the same time enables aggressive channel length scaling. This device, hereafter refer to as two-dimensional electrostrictive field effect transistor or 2D-EFET, allows sub-60 mV/decade subthreshold swing and considerably higher ON current compared to any state of the art FETs. Additionally, by the virtue of its ultra-thin body nature and electrostatic integrity, the 2D-EFET enjoys scaling beyond 10 nm technology node. The 2D-EFET works on the principle of voltage induced strain transduction. It uses an electrostrictive material as gate oxide which expands in response to an applied gate bias and thereby transduces an out-of-plane stress on the 2D channel material. This stress reduces the inter-layer distance between the consecutive layers of the semiconducting 2D material and dynamically reduces its bandgap to zero i.e. converts it into a semi-metal. Thus the device operates with a large bandgap in the OFF state and a small or zero bandgap in the ON state. As a consequence of this transduction mechanism, internal voltage amplification takes place which results in sub-60 mV/decade subthreshold swing (SS).
The rich phase structure of a mutator model
Authors: Saakian David B. , Yakushkina Tatiana , Hu Chin-Kun
Published: October 2016

We propose a modification of the Crow-Kimura and Eigen models of biological molecular evolution to include a mutator gene that causes both an increase in the mutation rate and a change in the fitness landscape. This mutator effect relates to a wide range of biomedical problems. There are three possible phases: mutator phase, mixed phase and non-selective phase. We calculate the phase structure, the mean fitness and the fraction of the mutator allele in the population, which can be applied to describe cancer development and RNA viruses. We find that depending on the genome length, either the normal or the mutator allele dominates in the mixed phase. We analytically solve the model for a general fitness function. We conclude that the random fitness landscape is an appropriate choice for describing the observed mutator phenomenon in the case of a small fraction of mutators. It is shown that the increase in the mutation rates in the regular and the mutator parts of the genome should be set independently; only some combinations of these increases can push the complex biomedical system to the non-selective phase, potentially related to the eradication of tumors.
Large gap Quantum Spin Hall Insulators of Hexagonal III-Bi monolayer
Authors: Liu Qunqun , Dai Ying , Ma Yandong , Li Xinru , Li Tiejun , Niu Chengwang , Huang Baibiao
Published: October 2016

In the present work, we demonstrate that both GaBi3 and InBi3 monolayers are Quantum Spin Hall insulators. Here, the electronic band structures and edge states of the two novel monolayers are systematically investigated by first principle calculation. Our analysis of the band inversion and Z2 number demonstrate that both GaBi3 and InBi3 are promising 2D TIs with large gaps of 283meV and 247meV, respectively. Taking GaBi3 as example, it is illustrated that the edge states are impacted by SOC and finite size effect. In addition, it is found that the compression and tension totally affect differently on the edge states. Finally, the electron velocity is studied in detail, which is highly important in the manufacturing of spintronics device.
Effective dominance of resistance of Spodoptera frugiperda to Bt maize and cotton varieties: implications for resistance management
Authors: Horikoshi Renato J. , Bernardi Daniel , Bernardi Oderlei , Malaquias José B. , Okuma Daniela M. , Miraldo Leonardo L. , Amaral Fernando S. de A. e , Omoto Celso
Published: October 2016

The resistance of fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, has been characterized to some Cry and Vip3A proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) expressed in transgenic maize in Brazil. Here we evaluated the effective dominance of resistance based on the survival of neonates from selected Bt-resistant, heterozygous, and susceptible (Sus) strains of FAW on different Bt maize and cotton varieties. High survival of strains resistant to the Cry1F (HX-R), Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab (VT-R) and Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab/Cry1F (PW-R) proteins was detected on Herculex, YieldGard VT PRO and PowerCore maize. Our Vip3A-resistant strain (Vip-R) exhibited high survival on Herculex, Agrisure Viptera and Agrisure Viptera 3 maize. However, the heterozygous from HX-R × Sus, VT-R × Sus, PW-R × Sus and Vip-R × Sus had complete mortality on YieldGard VT PRO, PowerCore, Agrisure Viptera, and Agrisure Viptera 3, whereas the HX-R × Sus and Vip-R × Sus strains survived on Herculex maize. On Bt cotton, the HX-R, VT-R and PW-R strains exhibited high survival on Bollgard II. All resistant strains survived on WideStrike, but only PW-R and Vip-R × Sus survived on TwinLink. Our study provides useful data to aid in the understanding of the effectiveness of the refuge strategy for Insect Resistance Management of Bt plants.
Experimental Demonstration of Adaptive Infrared Multispectral Imaging using Plasmonic Filter Array
Authors: Jang Woo-Yong , Ku Zahyun , Jeon Jiyeon , Kim Jun Oh , Lee Sang Jun , Park James , Noyola Michael J. , Urbas Augustine
Published: October 2016

In our previous theoretical study, we performed target detection using a plasmonic sensor array incorporating the data-processing technique termed “algorithmic spectrometry”. We achieved the reconstruction of a target spectrum by extracting intensity at multiple wavelengths with high resolution from the image data obtained from the plasmonic array. The ultimate goal is to develop a full-scale focal plane array with a plasmonic opto-coupler in order to move towards the next generation of versatile infrared cameras. To this end, and as an intermediate step, this paper reports the experimental demonstration of adaptive multispectral imagery using fabricated plasmonic spectral filter arrays and proposed target detection scenarios. Each plasmonic filter was designed using periodic circular holes perforated through a gold layer, and an enhanced target detection strategy was proposed to refine the original spectrometry concept for spatial and spectral computation of the data measured from the plasmonic array. Both the spectrum of blackbody radiation and a metal ring object at multiple wavelengths were successfully reconstructed using the weighted superposition of plasmonic output images as specified in the proposed detection strategy. In addition, plasmonic filter arrays were theoretically tested on a target at extremely high temperature as a challenging scenario for the detection scheme.
Erratum: Skyrmion Creation and Manipulation by Nano-Second Current Pulses
Authors: Yuan H. Y. , Wang X. R.
Published: October 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 22638; published online: 03 March 2016; updated: 10 October 2016.
Correction: Corrigendum: Transcriptomic comparison between Brassica oleracea and rice (Oryza sativa) reveals diverse modulations on cell death in response to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Mei Jiaqin , Ding Yijuan , Li Yuehua , Tong Chaobo , Du Hai , Yu Yang , Wan Huafang , Xiong Qing , Yu Jingyin , Liu Shengyi , Li Jiana , Qian Wei
Published: October 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 33706; published online 20 September 2016; updated: 10 October 2016.
Health effect of agricultural pesticide use in China: implications for the development of GM crops
Authors: Zhang Chao , Hu Ruifa , Huang Jikun , Huang Xusheng , Shi Guanming , Li Yifan , Yin Yanhong , Chen Zhaohui
Published: October 2016

It is notable that the adoption of GM glyphosate-tolerant crops increases glyphosate use but reduces non-glyphosate herbicide use; and adoption of GM insect-resistant crops significantly reduces insecticide use. While the health hazard of pesticide use has been well documented, little literature evaluates the health effects of different pesticides related to GM crops in an integrated framework. This study aims to associate the uses of different pesticides related to GM crops with the blood chemistry panel and peripheral nerve conduction of Chinese farmers. Pesticides used by farmers were recorded and classified as glyphosate, non-glyphosate herbicides, chemical lepidopteran insecticides, biological lepidopteran insecticides, non-lepidopteran insecticides and fungicides. The multivariate regression results show that none of the examined 35 health indicators was associated with glyphosate use, while the use of non-glyphosate herbicides was likely to induce renal dysfunction and decrease of serum folic acid. The use of chemical lepidopteran insecticides might be associated with hepatic dysfunction, serum glucose elevation, inflammation and even severe nerve damage. In this context, if GM crops are adopted, the alterations in pesticide use may benefit farmer health in China and globe, which has positive implications for the development of GM crops.
Nutrient reduction induced stringent responses promote bacterial quorum-sensing divergence for population fitness
Authors: Zhao Kelei , Zhou Xikun , Li Wujiao , Zhang Xiuyue , Yue Bisong
Published: October 2016

Bacteria use a cell-cell communication system termed quorum-sensing (QS) to adjust population size by coordinating the costly but beneficial cooperative behaviors. It has long been suggested that bacterial social conflict for expensive extracellular products may drive QS divergence and cause the “tragedy of the commons”. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of social divergence and its evolutionary consequences for the bacterial ecology still remain largely unknown. By using the model bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, here we show that nutrient reduction can promote QS divergence for population fitness during evolution but requiring adequate cell density. Mechanically, decreased nutrient supplies can induce RpoS-directed stringent response and enhance the selection pressure on lasR gene, and lasR mutants are evolved in association with the DNA mismatch repair “switch-off”. The lasR mutants have higher relative fitness than QS-intact individuals due to their energy-saving characteristic under nutrient decreased condition. Furthermore an optimal incorporation of lasR mutants is capable of maximizing the fitness of entire population during in vitro culture and the colonization in mouse lung. Consequently, rather than worsen the population health, QS-coordinated social divergence is an elaborate evolutionary strategy that renders the entire bacterial population more fit in tough times.
Controlling the defects and transition layer in SiO2 films grown on 4H-SiC via direct plasma-assisted oxidation
Authors: Kim Dae-Kyoung , Jeong Kwang-Sik , Kang Yu-Seon , Kang Hang-Kyu , Cho Sang W. , Kim Sang-Ok , Suh Dongchan , Kim Sunjung , Cho Mann-Ho
Published: October 2016

The structural stability and electrical performance of SiO2 grown on SiC via direct plasma-assisted oxidation were investigated. To investigate the changes in the electronic structure and electrical characteristics caused by the interfacial reaction between the SiO2 film (thickness ~5 nm) and SiC, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and electrical measurements were performed. The SiO2 films grown via direct plasma-assisted oxidation at room temperature for 300s exhibited significantly decreased concentrations of silicon oxycarbides (SiOxCy) in the transition layer compared to that of conventionally grown (i.e., thermally grown) SiO2 films. Moreover, the plasma-assisted SiO2 films exhibited enhanced electrical characteristics, such as reduced frequency dispersion, hysteresis, and interface trap density (Dit ≈ 1011 cm−2 · eV−1). In particular, stress induced leakage current (SILC) characteristics showed that the generation of defect states can be dramatically suppressed in metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) structures with plasma-assisted oxide layer due to the formation of stable Si-O bonds and the reduced concentrations of SiOxCy species defect states in the transition layer. That is, energetically stable interfacial states of high quality SiO2 on SiC can be obtained by the controlling the formation of SiOxCy through the highly reactive direct plasma-assisted oxidation process.
A method to calibrate a camera using perpendicularity of 2D lines in the target observations
Authors: Xu Guan , Zheng Anqi , Li Xiaotao , Su Jian
Published: October 2016

Camera calibration based on point features leads the main trends in vision-based measurement systems for both fundamental researches and potential applications. However, the calibration results tend to be affected by the precision of the feature point extraction in the camera images. As the point features are noise sensitive, line features are more appropriate to provide a stable calibration due to the noise immunity of line features. We propose a calibration method using the perpendicularity of the lines on a 2D target. The objective function of the camera internal parameters is theoretically constructed by the reverse projections of the image lines on a 2D target in the world coordinate system. We experimentally explore the performances of the perpendicularity method and compare them with the point feature methods at different distances. By the perpendicularity and the noise immunity of the lines, our work achieves a relatively higher calibration precision.
Using spatially explicit surveillance models to provide confidence in the eradication of an invasive ant
Authors: Ward Darren F. , Anderson Dean P. , Barron Mandy C.
Published: October 2016

Effective detection plays an important role in the surveillance and management of invasive species. Invasive ants are very difficult to eradicate and are prone to imperfect detection because of their small size and cryptic nature. Here we demonstrate the use of spatially explicit surveillance models to estimate the probability that Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) have been eradicated from an offshore island site, given their absence across four surveys and three surveillance methods, conducted since ant control was applied. The probability of eradication increased sharply as each survey was conducted. Using all surveys and surveillance methods combined, the overall median probability of eradication of Argentine ants was 0.96. There was a high level of confidence in this result, with a high Credible Interval Value of 0.87. Our results demonstrate the value of spatially explicit surveillance models for the likelihood of eradication of Argentine ants. We argue that such models are vital to give confidence in eradication programs, especially from highly valued conservation areas such as offshore islands.
Synergistic efficacy of salicylic acid with a penetration enhancer on human skin monitored by OCT and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Zhao Qingliang , Dai Cuixia , Fan Shanhui , Lv Jing , Nie Liming
Published: October 2016

Salicylic acid (SA) has been frequently used as a facial chemical peeling agent (FCPA) in various cosmetics for facial rejuvenation and dermatological treatments in the clinic. However, there is a tradeoff between therapeutic effectiveness and possible adverse effects caused by this agent for cosmetologists. To optimize the cosmetic efficacy with minimal concentration, we proposed a chemical permeation enhancer (CPE) azone to synergistically work with SA on human skin in vivo. The optical properties of human skin after being treated with SA alone and SA combined with azone (SA@azone) were successively investigated by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Our results revealed that as the SA concentration increased, the light reflectance decreased and the absorption increased. We also found that SA@azone exhibited a synergistic effect on enhancing light penetration and OCT imaging depth. We demonstrated that the combination of DRS and OCT techniques could be used as a noninvasive, rapid and accurate measurement method to monitor the subtle changes of skin tissue after treatment with FCPA and CPE. The approach will greatly benefit the development of clinical cosmetic surgery, dermatosis diagnosis and therapeutic effect inspection in related biomedical studies.
Correction: Corrigendum: Dispersion of nonresonant third-order nonlinearities in GeSiSn ternary alloys
Authors: De Leonardis Francesco , Troia Benedetto , Soref Richard A. , Passaro Vittorio M. N.
Published: October 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 32622; published online: 13 September 2016; updated: 10 October 2016.
Correction: Corrigendum: IRS1 deficiency protects β-cells against ER stress-induced apoptosis by modulating sXBP-1 stability and protein translation
Authors: Takatani Tomozumi , Shirakawa Jun , Roe Michael W. , Leech Colin A. , Maier Bernhard F. , Mirmira Raghavendra G. , Kulkarni Rohit N.
Published: October 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 28177; published online: 05 July 2016; updated: 10 October 2016.
Correction: Corrigendum: In silico identification of anti-cancer compounds and plants from traditional Chinese medicine database
Authors: Dai Shao-Xing , Li Wen-Xing , Han Fei-Fei , Guo Yi-Cheng , Zheng Jun-Juan , Liu Jia-Qian , Wang Qian , Gao Yue-Dong , Li Gong-Hua , Huang Jing-Fei
Published: October 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 25462; published online: 05 May 2016; updated: 10 October 2016.
Functional analysis of CYP6ER1, a P450 gene associated with imidacloprid resistance in Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Pang Rui , Chen Meng , Liang Zhikun , Yue Xiangzhao , Ge Hu , Zhang Wenqing
Published: October 2016

The cytochrome P450 CYP6ER1 has been reported to play an important role in imidacloprid resistance of the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, and is overexpressed in most resistant populations. In the present study, we confirmed that CYP6ER1 expression can be induced by certain levels of imidacloprid. Developmental expression analysis revealed that CYP6ER1 was expressed highly in the adult stage, and tissue distribution analysis showed that CYP6ER1 was expressed mainly in the fat body and midgut. RNA interference (RNAi) of CYP6ER1 and transgenic expression of CYP6ER1 in Drosophila melanogaster both suggested that the expression of CYP6ER1 is sufficient to confer imidacloprid resistance. Furthermore, we analyzed the interaction of imidacloprid and CYP6ER1 monooxygenase by using dynamic simulations and molecular docking. We found that Nitrogen atoms in the heterocycle of the imidacloprid molecule may bind to iron atoms in the center of the homology model of CYP6ER1 via 4,5-dihedro-1H-imidazole. This finding contributes to a better understanding of how CYP6ER1 takes part in the insecticide metabolism.
Ultrafast spin dynamics and switching via spin transfer torque in antiferromagnets with weak ferromagnetism
Authors: Kim Tae Heon , Grünberg Peter , Han Song Hee , Cho Beongki
Published: October 2016

The spin-torque driven dynamics of antiferromagnets with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) were investigated based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert-Slonczewski equation with antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic order parameters (l and m, respectively). We demonstrate that antiferromagnets including DMI can be described by a 2-dimensional pendulum model of l. Because m is coupled with l, together with DMI and exchange energy, close examination of m provides fundamental understanding of its dynamics in linear and nonlinear regimes. Furthermore, we discuss magnetization reversal as a function of DMI and anisotropy energy induced by a spin current pulse.
Lectin-based lateral flow assay: proof-of-concept
Authors: Damborský Pavel , Koczula Katarzyna M. , Gallotta Andrea , Katrlík Jaroslav
Published: October 2016

We present the innovative concept of a LFA using lectins in the role of the biorecognition element for glycoprofiling of biomarkers.
A study of the enantiospecific degradation of ibuprofen in model aqueous samples using LLME-HPLC-DAD
Authors: Magiera Sylwia , Piwowarczyk Aleksanda , Węgrzyn Anna
Published: October 2016

Liquid–liquid microextraction (LLME) by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) is a simple, rapid, efficient and environmentally friendly method that was developed to determine enantiomers of ibuprofen in aqueous environmental samples.
Preserving the adhesion of catechol-conjugated hydrogels by thiourea–quinone coupling
Authors: Xu Yang J. , Wei Kongchang , Zhao Pengchao , Feng Qian , Choi Chun Kit K. , Bian Liming
Published: October 2016

Mussel adhesion has inspired the development of catechol-based adhesive polymeric hydrogels.
A Cr(salen)-based metal–organic framework as a versatile catalyst for efficient asymmetric transformations
Authors: Xia Qingchun , Liu Yan , Li Zijian , Gong Wei , Cui Yong
Published: October 2016

A novel Cr(salen)-based metal–organic framework (MOF) is constructed, which is shown to be a versatile heterogeneous catalyst for a series of important asymmetric transformations including Nazarov cyclization reaction, aminolysis reaction, Diels–Alder and hetero Diels–Alder reactions with the highest ee up to 99%.
A highly porous rht-type acylamide-functionalized metal–organic framework exhibiting large CO2 uptake capabilities
Authors: Zheng Baishu , Wang Hang , Wang Zhaoxu , Ozaki Noriaki , Hang Cheng , Luo Xin , Huang Lu , Zeng Wenjiang , Yang Ming , Duan Jingui
Published: October 2016

We present here a highly porous rht-type acylamide-functionalized MOF (HNUST-5), which exhibits a high BET surface area of 3643 m2 g−1, large and selective CO2 adsorption at near ambient temperature.
Intermetal oxygen atom transfer from an FeVO complex to a MnIII complex: an experimental and theoretical approach
Authors: Hong Seungwoo , Jang Soo Jeong , Cho Kyung-Bin , Nam Wonwoo
Published: October 2016

Oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reaction between a mononuclear FeVO complex and a MnIII complex proceeded via both an initial fast direct OAT reaction and a transient FeIV–O–FeIV comproportionation reaction, ultimately yielding a MnVO complex.
Spatial organization based reciprocal switching of enzyme-free nucleic acid circuits
Authors: Tang Yidan , Zhu Zhentong , Lu Baiyang , Li Bingling
Published: October 2016

A design of spatial organization based reciprocal switch endows nucleic acid circuitry enhanced signal resolution and believability against signal drifts.
Metal–organic framework-derived graphene@nitrogen doped carbon@ultrafine TiO2 nanocomposites as high rate and long-life anodes for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Zhen , An Yongling , Xu Xiaoyan , Dong Chenglong , Feng Jinkui , Ci Lijie , Xiong Shenglin
Published: October 2016

Graphene@nitrogen doped carbon@ultrafine TiO2 nanoparticles (G-NC@TiO2) with porous structure are obtained through annealing the precursor of graphene oxide/metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for the first time.
A comparison of the experimental and theoretical charge density distributions in two polymorphic modifications of piroxicam
Authors: Lai Felcia , Du Jonathan J. , Williams Peter A. , Váradi Linda , Baker Daniel , Groundwater Paul W. , Overgaard Jacob , Platts James A. , Hibbs David E.
Published: October 2016

Experimental charge density analysis of two piroxicam polymorphs has found a redistribution of charge to a non-classical zwitterionic form.
Reaction dynamics inside superfluid helium nanodroplets: the formation of the Ne2molecule from Ne + Ne@(4He)N
Authors: Vilà Arnau , González Miguel
Published: October 2016

A hybrid TDDFT approach was proposed to consider bimolecular reactive processes in superfluid helium nanodroplets. The Ne + Ne@(4He)Nreaction was considered as the first application example. The formation of Ne2is a complex process related to the nature of the helium density waves and their reflection from the nanodroplet surface.
Microscopic investigations of site and functional selectivity of triazole for CO2 capture and catalytic applications
Authors: Boulmène Reda , Prakash Muthuramalingam , Hochlaf Majdi
Published: October 2016

Ab initio and DFT studies on CO2 interacting with different tautomers and isomers of triazole (TZ) are carried out to understand the adsorption mechanism, site selectivity and their mutual preferential attracting sites.
Investigation of the effect of cucurbit[7]uril complexation on the photophysical and acid–base properties of the antimalarial drug quinine
Authors: Mallick Suman , Pal Kaushik , Chandra Falguni , Koner Apurba L.
Published: October 2016

Tuning the physico-chemical properties of an anti-malarial drug upon cucurbit[7]uril encapsulation.
Li intercalation mechanisms in CaTi5O11, a bronze-B derived compound
Authors: Chang Donghee , Van der Ven Anton
Published: October 2016

A first-principles study was performed to elucidate the electrochemical properties of CaTi5O11, a recently discovered compound that is a crystallographic variant of TiO2(B) and that shows promise as an anode material for Li-ion batteries.
Magneto-conductance characteristics of trapped triplet–polaron and triplet–trapped polaron interactions in anthracene-based organic light emitting diodes
Authors: Jia Weiyao , Chen Qiusong , Chen Yingbing , Chen Lixiang , Xiong Zuhong
Published: October 2016

The magneto-conductance (MC) characteristics of trap-assisted triplet exciton–polaron interactions (TPI) in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) were investigated.
A ZnS nanocrystal/reduced graphene oxide composite anode with enhanced electrochemical performances for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Feng Yan , Zhang Yuliang , Wei Yuzhen , Song Xiangyun , Fu Yanbo , Battaglia Vincent S.
Published: October 2016

A simple route for the preparation of ZnS nanocrystal/reduced graphene oxide (ZnS/RGO) by a hydrothermal synthesis process was achieved.
Hydroamination of carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates by a bis(phosphinoselenoic amide) supported titanium(iv) complex
Authors: Bhattacharjee Jayeeta , Das Suman , Kottalanka Ravi K. , Panda Tarun K.
Published: October 2016

A titanium(iv) complex [{Ph2P(Se)NCH2–}2Ti(NMe2)2] (1) was synthesized and utilized as competent pre-catalyst for hydroamination of various amines towards carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates under mild conditions (25–60 °C).
Evaluation of electron donors for biological perchlorate removal highlights the importance of diverse perchlorate-reducing populations
Authors: Kotlarz Nadine , Upadhyaya Giridhar , Togna Paul , Raskin Lutgarde
Published: October 2016

Electron donors tested for biological treatment of perchlorate-contaminated groundwater highlight the importance of diverse perchlorate-reducing populations for contaminant removal.
In vitro fermentation of mulberry fruit polysaccharides by human fecal inocula and impact on microbiota
Authors: Chen Chun , Huang Qiang , Fu Xiong , Liu Rui Hai
Published: October 2016

This study investigated thein vitrofermentation of polysaccharides fromMorus albaL., the contribution of its carbohydrates to the fermentation, and the effect on the composition of gut microbiota.
Solvent- and catalyst-free, quantitative protection of hydroxyl, thiol, carboxylic acid, amide and heterocyclic amino functional groups
Authors: Jawor Mia L. , Ahmed Basil M. , Mezei Gellert
Published: October 2016

Various substrates are quantitatively protected by 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran at 125 °C in the absence of any additional chemicals, without generating any waste materials.
Construction of single-cell arrays and assay of cell drug resistance in an integrated microfluidic platform
Authors: Pang Long , Liu Wenming , Tian Chang , Xu Juan , Li Tianbao , Chen Shu-Wei , Wang Jinyi
Published: October 2016

We describe an integrated microfluidic platform for the construction of single-cell arrays and analysis of drug resistance.
Unconventional micro-/nanofabrication technologies for hybrid-scale lab-on-a-chip
Authors: Ha Dogyeong , Hong Jisoo , Shin Heungjoo , Kim Taesung
Published: October 2016

Novel, unconventional micro-/nanofabrication technologies make it possible to fabricate various hybrid-scale lab-on-a-chip devices in an efficient, convenient, and high-throughput manner.
A benchtop capillary flow layer-by-layer (CF-LbL) platform for rapid assembly and screening of biodegradable nanolayered films
Authors: Dong Ziye , Tang Ling , Ahrens Caroline C. , Ding Zhenya , Cao Vi , Castleberry Steven , Yan Jiangtao , Li Wei
Published: October 2016

We report a benchtop platform to systematically study film thickness, surface roughness, biocompatibility and degradation of a series of biodegradable nanolayered films.
A field-deployable mobile molecular diagnostic system for malaria at the point of need
Authors: Choi Gihoon , Song Daniel , Shrestha Sony , Miao Jun , Cui Liwang , Guan Weihua
Published: October 2016

A field-deployable, standalone, sample-in-answer-out molecular diagnostic system (AnyMDx) to enable quantitative molecular analysis of blood-borne malaria at the point of need.
Integrative optofluidic microcavity with tubular channels and coupled waveguides via two-photon polymerization
Authors: Li Yonglei , Fang Yangfu , Wang Jiao , Wang Lu , Tang Shiwei , Jiang Chunping , Zheng Lirong , Mei Yongfeng
Published: October 2016

Tubular microcavities fully integrated with liquid reservoirs and coupled waveguides are fabricated utilizing the two-photon polymerization method as on-chip sensitive optofluidic refractometers.
A novel fluorene based “turn on” fluorescent sensor for the determination of zinc and cadmium: experimental and theoretical studies along with live cell imaging
Authors: Roy Sohini Basu , Mondal Jesmin , Khuda-Bukhsh Anisur Rahman , Rajak Kajal Krishna
Published: October 2016

A new “naked-eye” colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensor HAFPA synthesized form both 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes with Zn2+ and only 1 : 1 complex with Cd2+ which can detect intracellular Zn2+ and Cd2+ in A549 cells.
Phytocannabinoids: a unified critical inventory
Authors: Hanuš Lumír Ondřej , Meyer Stefan Martin , Muñoz Eduardo , Taglialatela-Scafati Orazio , Appendino Giovanni
Published: October 2016

Cannabis sativaL. is a prolific, but not exclusive, producer of a diverse group of isoprenylated resorcinyl polyketides collectively known as phytocannabinoids.
Thermo- and water-induced shape memory poly(vinyl alcohol) supramolecular networks crosslinked by self-complementary quadruple hydrogen bonding
Authors: Chen Hongmei , Li Ying , Tao Gong , Wang Lin , Zhou Shaobing
Published: October 2016

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) supramolecular networks cross-linked by ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) dimers via strong quadruple hydrogen bonding in donor–donor–acceptor–acceptor (DDAA) arrays have been synthesized for the first time.
Metal-free molecular iodine-catalyzed direct sulfonylation of pyrazolones with sodium sulfinates leading to sulfonated pyrazoles at room temperature
Authors: Wei Wei , Cui Huanhuan , Yang Daoshan , Liu Xiaoxia , He Chenglong , Dai Shicui , Wang Hua
Published: October 2016

A simple and highly efficient iodine-catalyzed sulfonylation of pyrazolones with sodium sulfinates has been developed under mild and metal-free conditions.
Controlling chemoselectivity in copper-catalyzed decarboxylative A3/A3 cross-couplings: direct formation of unsymmetrical 1,4-diamino-2-butynes
Authors: Zhao Panfeng , Feng Huangdi , Pan Haoran , Sun Zhihua , Tong Minchao
Published: October 2016

A direct cross-coupling of propiolic acid with two kinds of in situ formed iminiums has been achieved via a CuI/CuCl2-catalyzed decarboxylative A3/A3 domino process.
Symmetrical and unsymmetrical triphenylamine based diketopyrrolopyrroles and their use as donors for solution processed bulk heterojunction organic solar cells
Authors: Patil Yuvraj , Misra Rajneesh , Chen F. C. , Keshtov M. L. , Sharma Ganesh D.
Published: October 2016

Two small moleculesDPP3(D–π–A) andDPP4(D–π–A–π–D) with triphenylamine (TPA) donors and diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) acceptors linked with ethyne linkers were designed and synthesized by the Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction.
Vertical records of sedimentary PAHs and their freely dissolved fractions in porewater profiles from the northern bays of Taihu Lake, Eastern China
Authors: Lei Pei , Zhang Hong , Shan Baoqing
Published: October 2016

Sedimentary records of 16 priority PAHs in sediment cores collected from the northern bays of Taihu Lake were analyzed to evaluate the influence of anthropogenic impacts on the sedimentary PAHs.
The in vivo estrogenic modulatory effect of bisphenol A (BPA) on Oreochromis mossambicus and prevention of early maturation of ovary by conjugates of intracellular laccase and silica nanoparticles
Authors: Manna Abhijit , Geetha Shanmugam , Tamilzhalagan Sembulingam , Amutha Chinnaiah
Published: October 2016

Immobilized laccase can significantly reduce thein vivoestrogenic effect of BPA and protect organisms from endocrine disrupting effect and extinction.
Impedimetric blood pH sensor based on MoS2–Nafion coated microelectrode
Authors: Awasthi Prasoon , Mukherjee Ranjan , O Kare Siva Prakasam , Das Soumen
Published: October 2016

A compact microelectrode based impedimetric pH sensor fabricated by simple and cost effective materials and techniques for point of care application.
A low-deactivation-rate Lewis acid zeolite prepared in an alkali metal ion-containing system for alkene epoxidation
Authors: Fu Kai-Rui , Yao Ji-Kang , Xiao Qiang , Liu Hai-Xia , Li Tian-Duo , Tatsumi Takashi , Wang Jin-Gui
Published: October 2016

The best catalytic performance among the currently reported TS-1 Lewis acid zeolites is achieved due to its durable catalytic life.
β-Cyclodextrin based magnetic nanoconjugates for targeted drug delivery in cancer therapy
Authors: Solanki Archana , Sanghvi Shridhar , Devkar Ranjitsinh , Thakore Sonal
Published: October 2016

β-Cyclodextrin based magnetic nanoconjugates for targeted drug delivery.
Mechanically strong fully biobased anisotropic cellulose aerogels
Authors: Chen Bo , Zheng Qifeng , Zhu Jinli , Li Jinghao , Cai Zhiyong , Chen Ligong , Gong Shaoqin
Published: October 2016

A series of mechanically strong and fully biobased carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/cellulose nanofibril (CNF) hybrid aerogels were produced via an environmentally friendly unidirectional freeze-drying process.
An efficient method for the preparation of tert-butyl esters from benzyl cyanide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide under the metal free condition
Authors: Chen Xiuling , Li Yan , Wu Minghu , Guo Haibing , Jiang Longqiang , Wang Jian , Sun Shaofa
Published: October 2016

A novel protocol to synthesizetert-butyl esters from benzyl cyanides andtert-butyl hydroperoxide has been successfully achieved. Csp3–H bond oxidation, C–CN bond cleavage and C–O bond formation proceeded smoothly in one pot under the metal-free condition.
Recent advancements in chemical looping water splitting for the production of hydrogen
Authors: Voitic G. , Hacker V.
Published: October 2016

The extensive research in the field of chemical looping water splitting has enabled remarkable leaps towards a successful integration the technology into a future hydrogen infrastructure.
Tuning the properties of cobalt ferrite: a road towards diverse applications
Authors: Jauhar Sheenu , Kaur Japinder , Goyal Ankita , Singhal Sonal
Published: October 2016

Cobalt ferrite nanostructures have been established to be promising material for future aspects.
Effective enhancement of the mechanical properties of macroscopic single-walled carbon nanotube fibers by pressure treatment
Authors: Hou Gu , Wang Gang , Deng Ya , Zhang Jian , Nshimiyimana Jean Pierre , Chi Xiannian , Hu Xiao , Chu Weiguo , Dong Hongwei , Zhang Zhong , Liu Luqi , Sun Lianfeng
Published: October 2016

A SWNTs cylindrical fiber is fabricated with diamond wire drawing dies and the SWNT ribbon-like fiber is obtained by pressure treatment. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of ribbon-like fibers can be enhanced with a maximum factor about 55.
Upgrading of anisole using in situ generated hydrogen in pin to plate pulsed corona discharge
Authors: Taghvaei Hamed , Rahimpour Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2016

In this paper, corona discharge plasma was used for upgrading of anisole as a model compound of lignin derived bio-oil. The required H2was generatedin situ viamethyl decomposition to H2.
Preparation of microgel/sodium alginate composite granular hydrogels and their Cu2+adsorption properties
Authors: Zhao Fang , Qin Xuping , Feng Shengyu
Published: October 2016

Schematic diagram of microgel/SA composite spherical granular hydrogel formation.
Kinetics and mechanism of the OH-radical and Cl-atom oxidation of propylene carbonate
Authors: Barnes Ian , Wiesen Peter , Gallus Michael
Published: October 2016

Kinetic and mechanistic study of the atmospherically relevant reactions of the OH-radical and Cl-atom with propylene carbonate.
Synthesis of a BiFeO3 nanowire-reduced graphene oxide based magnetically separable nanocatalyst and its versatile catalytic activity towards multiple organic reactions
Authors: Moitra Debabrata , Ghosh Barun Kumar , Chandel Madhurya , Ghosh Narendra Nath
Published: October 2016

Herein, we report for the first time synthesis of a BiFeO3 nanowire-reduced graphene oxide nanocatalyst (BFO–RGO) using a hydrothermal method.
High-performance lithium storage of Ti3+-doped anatase TiO2@C composite spheres
Authors: Chen Xiaoying , Liu Li , Yi Lingguang , Guo Guoxiong , Li Min , Xie Jianjun , Ouyang Yan , Wang Xianyou
Published: October 2016

Ti3+-Doped anatase TiO2@C composite spheres as the anode materials for lithium ion batteries.
Preparation of one-dimensional Fe3O4@P(MAA-DVB)–Pd(0) magnetic nanochains and application for rapid degradation of organic dyes
Authors: Wang Hai , Zhang Hepeng , Wu Chen , Yang Bo , Zhang Qiuyu , Zhang Baoliang
Published: October 2016

One dimensional (1D) magnetic Fe3O4@P(MAA-DVB)–Pd(0) nanochains are successfully prepared through distillation precipitation of methacrylic acid (MAA) and divinylbenzene (DVB) over Fe3O4 nanochains procured from magnetic-field-induction of hollow magnetic nanoparticles.
Ionic liquid-assisted perovskite crystal film growth for high performance planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells
Authors: Wan Yangyang , Dong Sujuan , Wang Yaling , Yang Liying , Qin Wenjing , Cao Huanqi , Yao Cong , Ge Ziyi , Yin Shougen
Published: October 2016

Ionic liquid, 1-ethylpyridinium chloride with a relative low melting point of 100 °C is used to control the morphological growth of CH3NH3PbI3 during the one-step deposition method for preparing efficient planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells.
Correction: Electrochemical exfoliation of graphene sheets from a natural graphite flask in the presence of sulfate ions at different temperatures
Authors: Hsieh Chien-Te , Hsueh Jen-Hao
Published: October 2016

Correction for ‘Electrochemical exfoliation of graphene sheets from a natural graphite flask in the presence of sulfate ions at different temperatures’ by Chien-Te Hsieh et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 64826–64831.
Co/NHPI-mediated aerobic oxygenation of benzylic C–H bonds in pharmaceutically relevant molecules
Authors: Hruszkewycz Damian P. , Miles Kelsey C. , Thiel Oliver R. , Stahl Shannon S.
Published: October 2016

A new method for Co/NHPI-catalyzed aerobic C–H oxygenation shows excellent tolerance of electronically diverse heterocycles.
Solution processable neutral state colourless electrochromic devices: effect of the layer thickness on the electrochromic performance
Authors: Tahtali Gurhan , Has Zeynep , Doyranli Ceylan , Varlikli Canan , Koyuncu Sermet
Published: October 2016

In this study, a neutral state colourless electrochromic device fabricated through a solution process is introduced.
Efficient implementation of single event upset tolerant register comparison
Authors: Reviriego Pedro , Liu Shanshan , Xiao Liyi , Maestro Juan Antonio
Published: October 2016

In many applications, an incoming value is compared against one or more values stored in registers. To avoid data corruption, the registers are in some cases protected with a single error correction (SEC) code. Therefore, in a traditional implementation, SEC decoding would be done before the comparison. However, previous works have shown that it may be more efficient to compare the SEC encoded values directly using a distance one comparison. This distance one comparison prevents single bit errors from affecting the result of the comparison and is in many cases simpler than an SEC decoding plus a traditional comparison. It is shown that the use of single‐error correction double error detection (SEC‐DED) encoded registers enables a simplified distance one comparison that can further reduce the cost of implementing error protection for register comparison.
WASAR imaging with backprojection based group complex approximate message passing
Authors: Wei Zhonghao , Jiang Chenglong , Zhang Bingchen , Bi Hui , Hong Wen , Wu Yirong
Published: October 2016

Group sparsity based wide angle synthetic aperture radar imaging model is developed and propose a novel algorithm called backprojection based group complex approximate message passing to recover the anisotropic scene. Compared with conventional backprojection based complex approximate message passing algorithm for the recovery of isotropic scene, the proposed method accommodates aspect dependent scattering behaviour better and can produce better imagery. Simulated and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed algorithm.
Accurate estimation of stitching error for high‐resolution multi‐sub‐bands SAR system with image sharpness analysis
Authors: Chen Jie , Wang Kai , Yang Wei
Published: October 2016

Multi‐sub‐bands stitching technique is an effective method to achieve ultra‐high range resolution in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system. However, sub‐bands stitching error results in artefacts in multi‐sub‐bands SAR images, e.g. defocused targets, higher sidelobes, which seriously degrade SAR image quality and cannot be mitigated by weighting function. A novel stitching error estimation method was presented. The stitching error is modelled by regarding phase error as function of range frequency, which will be estimated and compensated to reach the maximum image sharpness. First, amplitude balance is applied to single look complex SAR image in range frequency domain. Subsequently, based on image sharpness, an iterative optimisation algorithm is designed to estimate and compensate the stitching phase error. Finally, experimental results using both real RADARSAT‐2 and airborne SAR dataset validate proposed method perform well in arbitrary scenes, and it outperforms the existing methods.
Adaptive tuning algorithm for single‐phase Z‐source inverters
Authors: Thelukuntla Chandra Shekar , Mummadi Veerachary
Published: October 2016

This study proposes an adaptive tuning algorithm for dynamic adjustment of the saturation limits for the shoot‐through duty ratio (STDR) and modulation index of a Z‐source inverter. This adaptive tuning is crucial in Z‐source inverter applications where wide fluctuations in dc source voltage are expected. Even though a standalone application is chosen here to demonstrate the validity of an adaptive tuning algorithm, the proposed algorithm is equally valid for other applications using Z‐source inverter based topologies also. The effects of non‐idealities on dc‐link voltage and ac output voltages are investigated, and STDR expressions for which the dc‐link voltage is maximal are derived. Subsequently, these expressions are utilised to define the saturation limit of the STDR in the proposed adaptive tuning algorithm. The transient phenomenon of state‐switching behaviour in a Z‐source inverter under closed‐loop operation is analysed for different perturbed conditions. A laboratory prototype of a 250 VA single‐phase Z‐source inverter is built to demonstrate the proposed adaptive tuning algorithm. The proposed algorithm and associated control laws are implemented using a dsPIC30f6010 microcontroller. The effectiveness of the closed‐loop controlled single‐phase Z‐source inverter system is tested with linear and non‐linear loads. The measured results are in close agreement with analytical investigations.
Analysis of fly‐buck converter with emphasis on its cross‐regulation
Authors: Wang Wu , Lu Dexiang , Chai Qinqin , Lin Qiongbin , Cai Fenghuang
Published: October 2016

Cross‐regulation is one of the critical challenges in single‐input and multi‐output converters. In this study, new design guidelines and an analytical model for studying the cross‐regulation between the dual‐outputs of the fly‐buck converter are proposed. A small‐signal AC model is first established to obtain control over the output and to determine the cross‐influence transfer functions of the system. Then, a load regulation coefficient and method for analysing the cross‐regulation while considering the load magnitude and load change are proposed to study the characteristics of the fly‐buck converter. Finally, to demonstrate the rationality behind the influencing factors over cross‐regulation based on the resulting characteristics, a fly‐buck converter with double control variables and lower cross‐regulation is designed. Simulations and experimental prototypes are implemented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical analysis.