bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly Sensitive and Stretchable Resistive Strain Sensors Based on Microstructured Metal Nanowire/Elastomer Composite Films
Authors: Kim Kang‐Hyun , Jang Nam‐Su , Ha Sung‐Hun , Cho Ji Hwan , Kim Jong‐Man
Published: February 2018

High sensitivity and high stretchability are two conflicting characteristics that are difficult to achieve simultaneously in elastic strain sensors. A highly sensitive and stretchable strain sensor comprising a microstructured metal nanowire (mNW)/elastomer composite film is presented. The surface structure is easily prepared by combining an mNW coating and soft‐lithographic replication processes in a simple and reproducible manner. The densely packed microprism‐array architecture of the composite film leads to a large morphological change in the mNW percolation network by efficiently concentrating the strain in the valley regions upon stretching. Meanwhile, the percolation network comprising mNWs with a high aspect ratio is stable enough to prevent electrical failure, even under high strains. This enables the sensor to simultaneously satisfy high sensitivity (gauge factor ≈81 at >130% strain) and high stretchability (150%) while ensuring long‐term reliability (10 000 cycles at 150% strain). The sensor can also detect strain induced by bending and pressure, thus demonstrating its potential as a versatile sensing tool. The sensor is successfully utilized to monitor a wide range of human motions in real time. Furthermore, the unique sensing mechanism is easily extended to detect more complex multiaxial strains by optimizing the surface morphology of the device.
Sweet Potato Starch‐Based Nanocomposites: Development, Characterization, and Biodegradability
Authors: Issa Aseel T. , Schimmel Keith A. , Worku Mulumebet , Shahbazi Abolghasem , Ibrahim Salam A. , Tahergorabi Reza
Published: February 2018

The primary objective of this study is to develop and characterize a novel active biodegradable nanocomposite film using sweet potato starch (SPS) for food packaging. Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay at a constant weight of 3% and thyme essential oil (TEO) at three levels (2%, 4%, and 6% v/v) are incorporated into SPS film. The results show that incorporating MMT and TEO into SPS film greatly enhanced (P < 0.05) water resistance by 50%. MMT incorporation also hinders the degradation rate of the film. Furthermore, the combined effect of MMT and TEO (up to 4%) improve tensile strength, elongation, and tristimulus color values (P < 0.05). Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm that the noted improvements are related to MMT exfoliation and good interaction between SPS and MMT in the presence of TEO. These results suggest that SPS may provide a viable solution to the waste disposal of plastic packaging materials used for food products.
The evolution of mollusc shells
Authors: McDougall Carmel , Degnan Bernard M.
Published: February 2018

Molluscan shells are externally fabricated by specialized epithelial cells on the dorsal mantle. Although a conserved set of regulatory genes appears to underlie specification of mantle progenitor cells, the genes that contribute to the formation of the mature shell are incredibly diverse. Recent comparative analyses of mantle transcriptomes and shell proteomes of gastropods and bivalves are consistent with shell diversity being underpinned by a rapidly evolving mantle secretome (suite of genes expressed in the mantle that encode secreted proteins) that is the product of (a) high rates of gene co‐option into and loss from the mantle gene regulatory network, and (b) the rapid evolution of coding sequences, particular those encoding repetitive low complexity domains. Outside a few conserved genes, such as carbonic anhydrase, a so‐called “biomineralization toolkit” has yet to be discovered. Despite this, a common suite of protein domains, which are often associated with the extracellular matrix and immunity, appear to have been independently and often uniquely co‐opted into the mantle secretomes of different species. The evolvability of the mantle secretome provides a molecular explanation for the evolution and diversity of molluscan shells. These genomic processes are likely to underlie the evolution of other animal biominerals, including coral and echinoderm skeletons.

This article is categorized under:

Comparative Development and Evolution > Regulation of Organ Diversity

Comparative Development and Evolution > Evolutionary Novelties
Active wake control: An approach to optimize the lifetime operation of wind farms
Authors: Kanev S.K. , Savenije F.J. , Engels W.P.
Published: February 2018

The wind turbines within a wind farm impact each other's power production and loads through their wakes. Wake control strategies, aiming to reduce wake effects, receive increasing interest by both the research community and the industry. A number of recent simulation studies with high fidelity wake models indicate that wake mitigation control is a very promising concept for increasing the power production of a wind farm and/or reducing the fatigue loading on wind turbines' components. The purpose of this paper is to study the benefits of wake mitigation control in terms of lifetime power production and fatigue loading on several existing full‐scale commercial wind farms with different scale, layouts, and turbine sizes. For modeling the wake interactions, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands' FarmFlow software is used: a 3D parabolized Navier‐Stokes code, including a k‐ϵ turbulence model. In addition, an optimization approach is proposed that maximizes the lifetime power production, thereby incorporating the fatigue loads into the optimization criterion in terms of a lifetime extension factor.
PharmGKB: A worldwide resource for pharmacogenomic information
Authors: Barbarino Julia M. , Whirl‐Carrillo Michelle , Altman Russ B. , Klein Teri E.
Published: February 2018

As precision medicine becomes increasingly relevant in healthcare, the field of pharmacogenomics (PGx) also continues to gain prominence in the clinical setting. Leading institutions have begun to implement PGx testing and the amount of published PGx literature increases yearly. The Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB; www.pharmgkb.org) is one of the foremost worldwide resources for PGx knowledge, and the organization has been adapting and refocusing its mission along with the current revolution in genomic medicine. The PharmGKB website provides a diverse array of PGx information, from annotations of the primary literature to guidelines for adjusting drug treatment based on genetic information. It is freely available and accessible to everyone from researchers to clinicians to everyday citizens. PharmGKB was found over 17 years ago, but continues to be a vital resource for the entire PGx community and the general public.

This article is categorized under:

Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Translational Medicine
The Impact of Three-Dimensional Effects on the Simulation of Turbulence Kinetic Energy in a Major Alpine Valley
Authors: Goger Brigitta , Rotach Mathias W. , Gohm Alexander , Fuhrer Oliver , Stiperski Ivana , Holtslag Albert A. M.
Published: February 2018

The correct simulation of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is crucial for reliable weather forecasts in truly complex terrain. However, common assumptions for model parametrizations are only valid for horizontally homogeneous and flat terrain. Here, we evaluate the turbulence parametrization of the numerical weather prediction model COSMO with a horizontal grid spacing of $$\Delta x = 1.1\,\hbox {km}$$

Δ
x
=
1.1

km

for the Inn Valley, Austria. The long-term, high-resolution turbulence measurements of the i-Box measurement sites provide a useful data pool of the ABL structure in the valley and on slopes. We focus on days and nights when ABL processes dominate and a thermally-driven circulation is present. Simulations are performed for case studies with both a one-dimensional turbulence parametrization, which only considers the vertical turbulent exchange, and a hybrid turbulence parametrization, also including horizontal shear production and advection in the budget of turbulence kinetic energy (TKE). We find a general underestimation of TKE by the model with the one-dimensional turbulence parametrization. In the simulations with the hybrid turbulence parametrization, the modelled TKE has a more realistic structure, especially in situations when the TKE production is dominated by shear related to the afternoon up-valley flow, and during nights, when a stable ABL is present. The model performance also improves for stations on the slopes. An estimation of the horizontal shear production from the observation network suggests that three-dimensional effects are a relevant part of TKE production in the valley.
The Keggin Structure: An Important Factor in Governing NH3–SCR Activity Over the V2O5–MoO3/TiO2 Catalyst
Authors: Wu Rui , Zhang Ningqiang , Liu Xiaojun , Li Lingcong , Song Liyun , Qiu Wenge , He Hong
Published: February 2018

Heteropolyacids and their salts have been effectively used in selective catalytic reduction because of the Keggin structure and extraordinarily strong acidity. Catalysts with and without the Keggin structure were synthesized to further investigate the effects of heteropolyoxometallate on low temperature NH3–SCR. XRD, BET, Raman, H2–TPR, NH3–TPD, FT-IR, and SO2–TPD techniques were used to characterize the physicochemical characteristics of the catalysts. Results indicate that catalysts with the Keggin structure had more surface Brönsted and Lewis acid sites, and these catalysts had significantly improved performances in the SCR reaction and in SO2 poisoning resistance.

Graphical Abstract
Computer simulations for assessing cognitively intensive instrumental activities of daily living in older adults
Authors: Rapp Stephen R. , Barnard Ryan T. , Sink Kaycee M. , Chamberlain Dana G. , Wilson Valerie , Lu Lingyi , Ip Edward H.
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Aim is to evaluate validity, reliability, diagnostic precision, and user acceptability of computer simulations of cognitively demanding tasks when administered to older adults with and without cognitive impairment.

Methods

Five simulation modules were administered to 161 individuals aged ≥60 years with no cognitive impairment (N = 81), mild cognitive impairment (N = 52), or dementia (N = 28). Groups were compared on total accuracy and time to complete the tasks (seconds). Receiver operating characteristics were evaluated. Reliability was assessed over one month. Participants rated face validity and acceptability.

Results

Total accuracy (P < .0001) and time (P = .0015) differed between groups. Test‐retest correlations were excellent (0.79 and 0.88, respectively). Area under the curve ranged from good (0.77) to excellent (0.97). User ratings supported their face validity and acceptability.

Discussion

Brief computer simulations can be useful in assessing cognitive functional abilities of older adults and distinguishing varying degrees of impairment.
Drop deformation and emulsion rheology under the combined influence of uniform electric field and linear flow
Authors: Mandal Shubhadeep , Sinha Sudipta , Bandopadhyay Aditya , Chakraborty Suman
Published: February 2018

Electrohydrodynamics of a leaky dielectric suspended drop subjected to the combined influence of a uniform electric field and linear velocity field is analysed analytically and numerically. In the limit of small charge convection and small shape deformation, an analytical solution is obtained for the deformed drop shape when the imposed linear flow is of uniaxial extensional type with the extensional component aligned in the direction of the electric field. This perturbation approach is then applied towards obtaining the effect of a uniform electric field on the effective extensional rheology of a dilute emulsion. Key results indicate that the magnitude and sense of drop deformation not only depends on the material properties of the drop and medium but is also governed by the strength of the applied electric field relative to the applied flow field. The interfacial charge convection is found to increase or decrease the drop deformation depending on the direction of electrohydrodynamic flow and relative strength of electric field. The electrohydrodynamic flow and drop deformation modulates the effective extensional viscosity of the emulsion. Importantly, the presence of the electric field leads to strain-rate-dependent effective extensional viscosity of the emulsion. The emulsion is found to exhibit strain-rate thinning/thickening behaviour depending on the drop to medium charge relaxation time scale. The analytically obtained drop shape and deformation are in excellent agreement with numerical simulations for the small deformation ranges.
A First Approach to Newfoundland Phonemics
Authors: Drysdale P. D.
Published: February 2018

The purpose of these remarks is to present a tentative classification of the syllabic phonemes in general use in eastern Newfoundland. In doing so, it will be necessary to justify making such a presentation at this early stage of enquiry, at the same time demonstrating some of the problems involved in the investigation of Newfoundland dialects.
Quality and Quantity in Cree Vowels
Authors: Longacre Robert
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this paper is to describe in detail allophonic variation in Cree vowels so as to exhibit certain correlations between quality and quantity. The phonemically short vowels have considerable allophonic variation and this paper will be concerned to a large degree with their description. The pertinent conditioning factors will be stated in terms of (a) particular consonants preceding or following the vowel sounds in questions, and (b) the position of the vowel in the phonological word — a rhythm-stress unit bounded by potential pause.
Length as a Phoneme in the German Vowel System
Authors: Mueller Hugo
Published: February 2018

It is customary to represent the German vowel system as consisting of seven short vowels / i / , / e / , / a / , / o / , /u/, / ö / , /ü/ and seven long vowels / i : / , / e : / , / a : / , / o : / , / u :/, / ö : / , / ü : /. In this analysis the short vowels have the phonetic value [I, ε, α, ɔ, U, œ, Y], whereas the long vowels are described as consisting of short vowel plus the phoneme / : /.

[: ] obviously does not only mean length, but it includes several features of quality, i.e. tenseness, fronting, and raising. It will be noted that the contrast tense-lax applies to every single pair: [i — I ] , [e — ε], [a — α], [o — ɔ], [u — U] [ö — œ], [ ü — Y].
Phonology and Language Teaching
Authors: Clair-Sobell James St.
Published: February 2018

It is not surprising that many a conscientious language teacher is somewhat dismayed at the suggestion that his or her already arduous task should be further complicated by the introduction of scientific linguistic techniques. Languages have been taught for generations, nay for centuries, by more or less traditional standardised methods, and innovations in this work must naturally encounter the same passive, if not active, resistance that they, meet in other fields of human endeavour.

Not the least discouraging factors determining such attitudes are the controversial nature of many linguistic issues and the forbidding hierarchy of unfamiliar technical terms about whose meaning and regular application scientific linguists themselves are by no means always in accord. The progressive teacher wishing to gain insight into some aspect of linguistics must be armed with fortitude when embarking upon the reading of a serious linguistic paper, where he is liable to encounter such terms as suprasegmental, bipolar, dyad, idiolect and the like.
‘Below English Line’: An ethnographic exploration of class and the English language in post-liberalization India
Authors: JAYADEVA SAZANA
Published: February 2018

Anthropological studies of India's post-liberalization middle classes have tended to focus mainly on the role of consumption behaviour in the constitution of this class group. Building on these studies, and taking class as an object of ethnographic enquiry, I argue that, over the last 20 years, class dynamics in the country have been significantly altered by the unprecedentedly important and complex role that the English language has come to play in the production and reproduction of class. Based on 15 months of ethnographic fieldwork—conducted at commercial spoken-English training centres, schools, and corporate organizations in Bangalore—I analyse the processes by which this change in class dynamics has occurred, and how it is experienced on the ground. I demonstrate how, apart from being a valuable type of class cultural capital in its own right, proficiency in English has come to play a key role in the acquisition and performance of other important forms of capital associated with middle-class identity. As a result, being able to demonstrate proficiency in English has come to be experienced as a critical element in claiming and maintaining a space in the middle class, regardless of the other types of class cultural capital a person possesses.
My island home: place-based integration of conservation and public health in Oceania
Authors: JENKINS AARON , HORWITZ PIERRE , ARABENA KERRY
Published: February 2018

Oceania can be characterized by a richness of culture, biodiversity and natural resources and a particular future that the changing climate will bring to islands, livelihoods and ecosystems. We reviewed literature detailing the limitations of siloed approaches to public health and conservation action for regional sustainability, highlighting opportunities for regional integration as place-based, through activities that are locally relevant, innovative engagement across a broader variety of sectors and working with indigenous peoples’ knowledges. We present three case studies that extend and redefine the boundaries of the fields of public health and conservation, enabling collaborators to better respond to complex issues impacting biodiversity and human health. These case studies make explicit the links between nutrition, catchment management, water resources, fisheries, marine protected areas and communicable and non-communicable diseases. Public health and conservation are more meaningfully connected in place-based, reciprocal and compassionate activities, using common language to draw on the well-developed instruments of both sectors. These will include health impact assessments and combine health and ecological economics, which together will contribute to responding to an emergent set of challenges, namely human population increase, urbanization, overfishing and more severe aspects of climate change.
The Deduction: Some Suggestions for Future Work
Authors: Brook Andrew
Published: February 2018

Since I agree with Schulting’s conclusions, my comments consist mostly of suggestions for further work that he could do, for example further issues that he might want to look into and passages that might give him trouble. One such issue is what is now sometimes called the Localization Problem: if the mind supplies temporal and (where present) spatial organization and most (at least most) conceptual structure to the manifold of intuition, what could be used to place bits of the manifold at one place rather than another, to determine that this concept rather than that applies, and the like? I urge that this in fact a very serious problem for Kant. Among passages that might create a problem for Schulting’s reading, I focus on the Refutation of Idealism, which Kant added to the second (B-)edition.
Challenges of Combining Perspectives
Authors: Sundvall Maria , Titelman David , Bäärnhielm Sofie
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Background: Asylum seekers have increased risk of suicide and suicidal behavior, with differences related to origin, gender, and age. There are barriers to communication in clinical encounters between asylum seekers and clinicians. There is insufficient knowledge about how communication in the clinical encounter affects the suicide risk in female asylum seekers. Aims: To explore the documented communication between female asylum-seeking suicide attempters and clinicians and how it affects treatment. Method: The medical records of 18 asylum-seeking women who had attempted suicide were analyzed with content analysis. Results: Communication between patients and clinicians was affected by: the unbearable realities of the women; difficulties for clinicians in decoding languages of distress, and understanding trauma and subjective meanings of suicide; challenges of combining patients' and clinicians' perspectives; and a sense of shared powerlessness. Limitations: The medical records did not give direct access to the patient's experience, only to the patient as documented by the clinician. Conclusion: The results suggest that clinicians working with asylum seekers who have attempted suicide need to develop an understanding of social and cultural factors and of trauma issues. A question for further study is how an enhanced integration of context and subjectivity in psychiatric practice would equip clinicians for the specific challenges encountered.
Near-UV electroluminescence in unipolar-doped, bipolar-tunneling GaN/AlN heterostructures
Authors: Growden Tyler A , Zhang Weidong , Brown Elliott R , Storm David F , Meyer David J , Berger Paul R
Published: February 2018

Cross-gap light emission is reported in n-type unipolar GaN/AlN double-barrier heterostructure diodes at room temperature. Three different designs were grown on semi-insulating bulk GaN substrates using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). All samples displayed a single electroluminescent spectral peak at 360 nm with full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) values no greater than 16 nm and an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of ≈0.0074% at 18.8 mA. In contrast to traditional GaN light emitters, p-type doping and p-contacts are completely avoided, and instead, holes are created in the GaN on the emitter side of the tunneling structure by direct interband (that is, Zener) tunneling from the valence band to the conduction band on the collector side. The Zener tunneling is enhanced by the high electric fields (~5 × 106 V cm−1) created by the notably large polarization-induced sheet charge at the interfaces between the AlN and GaN.
CASC2/miR-24/miR-221 modulates the TRAIL resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cell through caspase-8/caspase-3
Authors: Jin Xiaoxin , Cai Lifeng , Wang Changfa , Deng Xiaofeng , Yi Shengen , Lei Zhao , Xiao Qiangsheng , Xu Hongbo , Luo Hongwu , Sun Jichun
Published: February 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common solid tumors in the digestive system. The prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is still poor due to the acquisition of multi-drug resistance. TNF Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL), an attractive anticancer agent, exerts its effect of selectively inducing apoptosis in tumor cells through death receptors and the formation of the downstream death-inducing signaling complex, which activates apical caspases 3/8 and leads to apoptosis. However, hepatocellular carcinoma cells are resistant to TRAIL. Non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and miRNAs have been regarded as major regulators of normal development and diseases, including cancers. Moreover, lncRNAs and miRNAs have been reported to be associated with multi-drug resistance. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism by which TRAIL resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma is affected from the view of non-coding RNA regulation. We selected and validated candidate miRNAs, miR-24 and miR-221, that regulated caspase 3/8 expression through direct targeting, and thereby affecting TRAIL-induced tumor cell apoptosis TRAIL resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, we revealed that CASC2, a well-established tumor suppressive long non-coding RNA, could serve as a “Sponge” of miR-24 and miR-221, thus modulating TRAIL-induced tumor cell apoptosis TRAIL resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma. Taken together, we demonstrated a CASC2/miR-24/miR-221 axis, which can affect the TRAIL resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma through regulating caspase 3/8; through acting as a “Sponge” of miR-24 and miR-221, CASC2 may contribute to improving hepatocellular carcinoma TRAIL resistance, and finally promoting the treatment efficiency of TRAIL-based therapies.
Electron heating and thermal relaxation of gold nanorods revealed by two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy
Authors: Lietard Aude , Hsieh Cho-Shuen , Rhee Hanju , Cho Minhaeng
Published: February 2018

To elucidate the complex interplay between the size and shape of gold nanorods and their electronic, photothermal, and optical properties for molecular imaging, photothermal therapy, and optoelectronic devices, it is a prerequisite to characterize ultrafast electron dynamics in gold nanorods. Time-resolved transient absorption (TA) studies of plasmonic electrons in various nanostructures have revealed the time scales for electron heating, lattice vibrational excitation, and phonon relaxation processes in condensed phases. However, because linear spectroscopic and time-resolved TA signals are vulnerable to inhomogeneous line-broadening, pure dephasing and direct electron heating effects are difficult to observe. Here we show that femtosecond two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy, with its unprecedented time resolution and phase sensitivity, can be used to collect direct experimental evidence for ultrafast electron heating, anomalously strong coherent and transient electronic plasmonic responses, and homogenous dephasing processes resulting from electron-vibration couplings even for polydisperse gold nanorods.
Genetic study links components of the autonomous nervous system to heart-rate profile during exercise
Authors: Verweij Niek , van de Vegte Yordi J. , van der Harst Pim
Published: February 2018

Heart rate (HR) responds to exercise by increasing during exercise and recovering after exercise. As such, HR is an important predictor of mortality that researchers believe is modulated by the autonomic nervous system. However, the mechanistic basis underlying inter-individual differences has yet to be explained. Here, we perform a large-scale genome-wide analysis of HR increase and HR recovery in 58,818 UK Biobank individuals. Twenty-five independent SNPs in 23 loci are identified to be associated (p < 8.3 × 10−9) with HR increase or HR recovery. A total of 36 candidate causal genes are prioritized that are enriched for pathways related to neuron biology. No evidence is found of a causal relationship with mortality or cardiovascular diseases. However, a nominal association with parental lifespan requires further study. In conclusion, the findings provide new biological and clinical insight into the mechanistic underpinnings of HR response to exercise. The results also underscore the role of the autonomous nervous system in HR recovery.
Quantum Secure Group Communication
Authors: Li Zheng-Hong , Zubairy M. Suhail , Al-Amri M.
Published: February 2018

We propose a quantum secure group communication protocol for the purpose of sharing the same message among multiple authorized users. Our protocol can remove the need for key management that is needed for the quantum network built on quantum key distribution. Comparing with the secure quantum network based on BB84, we show our protocol is more efficient and securer. Particularly, in the security analysis, we introduce a new way of attack, i.e., the counterfactual quantum attack, which can steal information by “invisible” photons. This invisible photon can reveal a single-photon detector in the photon path without triggering the detector. Moreover, the photon can identify phase operations applied to itself, thereby stealing information. To defeat this counterfactual quantum attack, we propose a quantum multi-user authorization system. It allows us to precisely control the communication time so that the attack can not be completed in time.
Application of Bld-1-Embedded Elastin-Like Polypeptides in Tumor Targeting
Authors: Sarangthem Vijaya , Cho Eun A. , Yi Aena , Kim Sang Kyoon , Lee Byung-Heon , Park Rang-Woon
Published: February 2018

Expression of various molecules on the surface of cancer cells compared to normal cells creates a platform for the generation of various drug vehicles for targeted therapy. Multiple interactions between ligands and their receptors mediated by targeting peptide-modified polymer could enable simultaneous delivery of a drug selectively to target tumor cells, thus limiting side effects resulting from non-specific drug delivery. In this study, we synthesized a novel tumor targeting system by using two key elements: (1) Bld-1 peptide (SNRDARRC), a recently reported bladder tumor targeting peptide identified by using a phage-displayed peptide library, and (2) ELP, a thermally responsive polypeptide. B5V60 containing five Bld-1 peptides and non-targeted ELP77 with a thermal phase-transition over 37 °C were analyzed to determine their bioactivities. Further studies confirmed the superior binding ability of B5V60 to bladder tumor cells and the cellular accumulation of B5V60 in cancer cells was dependent on the expression level of sialyl-Tn antigen (STn), a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen. Additionally, B5V60 displayed excellent localization in bladder tumor xenograft mice after intravenous injection and was strictly confined to sialyl-Tn antigen-overexpressing tumor tissue. Thus, our newly designed B5V60 showed high potential as a novel carrier for STn-specific targeted cancer therapy or other therapeutic applications.
Sonoporation-induced cell membrane permeabilization and cytoskeleton disassembly at varied acoustic and microbubble-cell parameters
Authors: Wang Maochen , Zhang Yi , Cai Chenliang , Tu Juan , Guo Xiasheng , Zhang Dong
Published: February 2018

Sonoporation mediated by microbubbles has being extensively studied as a promising technique to facilitate gene/drug delivery to cells. Previous studies mainly explored the membrane-level responses to sonoporation. To provide in-depth understanding on this process, various sonoporation-induced cellular responses (e.g., membrane permeabilization and cytoskeleton disassembly) generated at different impact parameters (e.g., acoustic driving pressure and microbubble-cell distances) were systemically investigated in the present work. HeLa cells, whose α-tubulin cytoskeleton was labeled by incorporation of a green fluorescence protein (GFP)-α-tubulin fusion protein, were exposed to a single ultrasound pulse (1 MHz, 20 cycles) in the presence of microbubbles. Intracellular transport via sonoporation was assessed in real time using propidium iodide and the disassembly of α-tubulin cytoskeleton was observed by fluorescence microscope. Meanwhile, the dynamics of an interacting bubble-cell pair was theoretically simulated by boundary element method. Both the experimental observations and numerical simulations showed that, by increasing the acoustic pressure or reducing the bubble-cell distance, intensified deformation could be induced in the cellular membrane, which could result in enhanced intracellular delivery and cytoskeleton disassembly. The current results suggest that more tailored therapeutic strategies could be designed for ultrasound gene/drug delivery by adopting optimal bubble-cell distances and/or better controlling incident acoustic energy.
Chemometrics-assisted liquid chromatography-full scan mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of multi-class estrogens in infant milk powder
Authors: Sun Xiao-Dong , Wu Hai-Long , Liu Zhi , Xie Li-Xia , Hu Yong , Fang Huan , Wang Tong , Xiao Rong , Ding Yu-Jie , Yu Ru-Qin
Published: February 2018

Simultaneous determination of estrogens in infant milk powder using a second-order calibration method coupled with LC-MS operated in full scan mode.
Accessing highly functionalized cyclopentanoids via a cascade palladation approach: unprecedented benzylic C–H activation towards cyclopentenoindanes
Authors: Santhini P. V. , Smrithy A. S. , Irfana Jesin C. P. , Varughese Sunil , John Jubi , Radhakrishnan K. V.
Published: February 2018

An unprecedented synthesis of three adjacent stereocentres in a single transformation from simple, achiral and strained diazabicyclic olefins was observed. Moreover, a unique intramolecular benzylic C–H activation towards cyclopentenoindanes was realized.
Pressure-induced abnormal ionic–polaronic–ionic transition sequences in AgBr
Authors: Wang Jia , Han Yonghao , Liu Hao , Zhang Guozhao , Liu Cailong , Gao Chunxiao
Published: February 2018

From impedance spectra measurements, an abnormal pressure-induced ionic–polaronic–ionic transition sequence was found in the ionic conductor AgBr.
Ultrafast photophysics of the environment-sensitive 4′-methoxy-3-hydroxyflavone fluorescent dye
Authors: Skilitsi Anastasia Ioanna , Agathangelou Damianos , Shulov Ievgen , Conyard Jamie , Haacke Stefan , Mély Yves , Klymchenko Andrey , Léonard Jérémie
Published: February 2018

The ESIPT reaction speed of 4′-methoxy-3-hydroxyflavone varies by 3 orders of magnitude depending on the H-bonding capabilities of its environment.
Improved capacitive deionization by using 3D intercalated graphene sheet–sphere nanocomposite architectures
Authors: Khan Zaheen Ullah , Yan Tingting , Shi Liyi , Zhang Dengsong
Published: February 2018

Improved capacitive deionization has been demonstrated by using 3D intercalated graphene sheet–sphere nanocomposite architectures.
Arsenite increases Cyclin D1 expression through coordinated regulation of the Ca2+/NFAT2 and NF-κB pathwaysviaERK/MAPK in a human uroepithelial cell line
Authors: Liu Jieyu , Jin Peiyu , Lin Xiaoli , Zhou Qing , Wang Fei , Liu Shengnan , Xi Shuhua
Published: February 2018

Understanding the effects of Ca2+/NFAT and NF-κB signals on the regulation of cyclin D1 expression in arsenite-treated bladder cells.
Readily available titania nanostructuring routines based on mobility and polarity controlled phase separation of an amphiphilic diblock copolymer
Authors: Hohn Nuri , Schlosser Steffen J. , Bießmann Lorenz , Grott Sebastian , Xia Senlin , Wang Kun , Schwartzkopf Matthias , Roth Stephan V. , Müller-Buschbaum Peter
Published: February 2018

Diblock copolymer templating combined with sol–gel chemistry is a powerful tool to control the morphology of titania nanostructures.
Magnetism in monolayer 1T-MoS2 and 1T-MoS2H tuned by strain
Authors: Xu Wei , Yan Shiming , Qiao Wen
Published: February 2018

The magnetic properties of 1T-MoS2 and 1T-MoS2H subjected to equiaxial tensile strain are calculated using density functional theory.
The effect of adding Bi3+ on the performance of a newly developed iron–copper redox flow battery
Authors: Kabtamu Daniel Manaye , Lin Guan-Yi , Chang Yu-Chung , Chen Hsueh-Yu , Huang Hsin-Chih , Hsu Ning-Yih , Chou Yi-Sin , Wei Hwa-Jou , Wang Chen-Hao
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we propose a new, abundant, cost-effective, non-toxic, and environmentally benign iron–copper redox flow battery (Fe/Cu RFB), which employs Fe2+/Fe3+ and Cu+/Cu0 as the positive and negative electrolytes, respectively.
UV-mediated hydrophosphinylation of unactivated alkenes with phosphinates under batch and flow conditions
Authors: Gelat Fabien , Roger Maxime , Penverne Christophe , Mazzad Ahmed , Rolando Christian , Chausset-Boissarie Laëtitia
Published: February 2018

In this study, we report an efficient UV-mediated hydrophosphinylation of unactivated alkenes with H-phosphinates and hypophosphorous acid under radical free conditions in batch and in continuous flow.
Improving the interest of high-school students toward chemistry by crime scene investigation
Authors: Basso A. , Chiorri C. , Bracco F. , Carnasciali M. M. , Alloisio M. , Grotti M.
Published: February 2018

Improving the interest of high-school students towards chemistry (and science in general) is one of the goals of the Italian Ministry of Education. To this aim, we designed a context-based activity that actively involved students in six different laboratory experiences interconnected by a case study of the murder of Miss Scarlet, from the famous game Clue. Key points of the activity were: the interest aroused by the subject of crime scene investigation; the direct involvement of the students in all stages of the work (from the realization of the experiments to the resolution of the case); the use of a multidisciplinary approach for addressing a complex scientific problem; the work in chemical laboratories with modern instrumentation; the team work and the supervision by young tutors. To verify the hypothesis that such a multidisciplinary activity could foster the interest for the discipline, an evaluation was performed using a self-report questionnaire designed to assess changes in the situational interest raised by the internship. It was found that the activity significantly increased interest and attitude toward chemistry, mainly for students with lower scores in pleasure for the study of chemistry, self-efficacy and self-concept in chemistry.
A novel Ru–polyethersulfone (PES) catalytic membrane for highly efficient and selective hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol
Authors: Bagnato G. , Figoli A. , Ursino C. , Galiano F. , Sanna A.
Published: February 2018

A novel catalytic Ru–PES membrane has been synthesised, characterised and evaluated for the selective hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol. The Ru–PES membrane exhibited an high catalytic activity towards furfuryl alcohol (selectivity >99%) with turnover frequency (TOF) as high as 48 000 h−1.
Hierarchical Ni3S2 nanosheets coated on Co3O4 nanoneedle arrays on 3D nickel foam as an efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Gong Yaqiong , Xu Zhoufeng , Pan Hailong , Lin Yu , Yang Zhi , Du Xiaoqiang
Published: February 2018

As-obtained Co3O4@Ni3S2/NF can serve as an active and stable water oxidation catalyst under electrochemical reaction conditions.
Single-crystal-like optoelectronic-properties of MAPbI3 perovskite polycrystalline thin films
Authors: Giesbrecht Nadja , Schlipf Johannes , Grill Irene , Rieder Philipp , Dyakonov Vladimir , Bein Thomas , Hartschuh Achim , Müller-Buschbaum Peter , Docampo Pablo
Published: February 2018

Our understanding of the crystallization process of hybrid halide perovskites has propelled the efficiency of state-of-the-art photovoltaic devices to over 22%.
Er3+/Yb3+ codoped phosphor Ba3Y4O9 with intense red upconversion emission and optical temperature sensing behavior
Authors: Wu Hao , Hao Zhendong , Zhang Liangliang , Zhang Xia , Xiao Yu , Pan Guo-Hui , Wu Huajun , Luo Yongshi , Zhang Ligong , Zhang Jiahua
Published: February 2018

Bright red upconversion phosphor Ba3Y4O9:Er3+/Yb3+ and dual-color complementary optical thermometry to maintain relatively high sensitivities over a wide temperature scope.
Azobenzene-based polymers: emerging applications as cell culture platforms
Authors: Fedele C. , Netti P. A. , Cavalli S.
Published: February 2018

This minireview highlights the fundamental landmarks towards the application of azobenzene-containing materials as light-responsive cell culture substrates.
Poly(meta-phenylene oxides) for the design of a tunable, efficient, and reusable catalytic platform
Authors: Hudson R. , Zhang H. R. , LoTemplio A. , Benedetto G. , Hamasaka G. , Yamada Y. M. A. , Katz J. L. , Uozumi Y.
Published: February 2018

We present poly(meta-phenylene oxides) as versatile and tunable scaffolds for immobilized catalyst design.
Dinucleating Schiff base ligand in Zn/4f coordination chemistry: synthetic challenges and catalytic activity evaluation
Authors: Sampani Stavroula I. , Aubert Sidonie , Cattoen Martin , Griffiths Kieran , Abdul-Sada Alaa , Akien Geoffrey R. , Tizzard Graham J. , Coles Simon J. , Arseniyadis Stellios , Kostakis George E.
Published: February 2018

Synthetic challenges and catalytic activity evaluation of Zn/(Dy,Y) coordination clusters derived from a dinucleating Schiff base ligand.
Refining the aggregate exposure pathway
Authors: Tan Yu-Mei , Leonard Jeremy A. , Edwards Stephen , Teeguarden Justin , Egeghy Peter
Published: February 2018

The elements of the aggregate exposure pathway have been refined to better facilitate organization, integration, and dissemination of exposure data.
Selective production of glycols from xylitol over Ru on covalent triazine frameworks – suppressing decarbonylation reactions
Authors: Beine Anna Katharina , Krüger Andreas J. D. , Artz Jens , Weidenthaler Claudia , Glotzbach Christoph , Hausoul Peter J. C. , Palkovits Regina
Published: February 2018

Ru on covaltent triazine frameworks (CTF) are highly active and selective catalysts for the conversion of xylitol to glycols (80% C-yield) in basic media.
A convenient and accurate method for predicting13C chemical shifts in organic molecules
Authors: Abraham Raymond J. , Cooper M. Ashley
Published: February 2018

13C chemical shifts of organic compounds including 5α-androstan-17-one are predicted by the MMFF94 semi-empirical and GIAO B3LYP/6-31G(d)ab initiomethods.
Significant photoluminescence enhancement in WS2 monolayers through Na2S treatment
Authors: Yao Huizhen , Liu Lai , Wang Zhuo , Li Henan , Chen Longlong , Pam Mei Er , Chen Weigang , Yang Hui Ying , Zhang Wenjing , Shi Yumeng
Published: February 2018

Significantly enhanced photoluminescence emission of tungsten disulfide can be obtained by sodium sulphide solution treatment.
A metal-free direct C (sp3)–H cyanation reaction with cyanobenziodoxolones
Authors: Sun Ming-Xue , Wang Yao-Feng , Xu Bao-Hua , Ma Xin-Qi , Zhang Suo-Jiang
Published: February 2018

Metal-free direct C(sp3)–H cyanation reaction: cyanobenziodoxolones as cyanating reagents and oxidants.
Dual emissive bodipy–benzodithiophene–bodipy TICT triad with a remarkable Stokes shift of 194 nm
Authors: Sengupta Sanchita , Pandey Upendra K.
Published: February 2018

An acceptor–donor–acceptor (A–D–A) triad based on BODIPY and benzodithiophene exhibited a high Stokes shift of ∼194 nm, TICT and high mobility of 4.46 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Chiral bis(phthalocyaninato) terbium double-decker compounds with enhanced single-ion magnetic behavior
Authors: Wang Kang , Ma Fang , Qi Dongdong , Chen Xin , Chen Yuxiang , Chen Yan-Cong , Sun Hao-Ling , Tong Ming-Liang , Jiang Jianzhuang
Published: February 2018

Introducing chirality into bis(phthalocyaninato) terbium single-ion magnets was revealed to be an alternative method towards enhancing magnetic behavior.
Direct automatic determination of the methanol content in red wines based on the temperature effect of the KMnO4/K2S2O5/fuchsin sodium sulfite reaction system
Authors: Li Yong-Sheng , Mo La-Mei , Gao Xiu-Feng
Published: February 2018

We found that methanol/KMnO4and acetaldehyde/FSS are exothermic, formaldehyde/FSS is endothermic, so based on the temperature effect, eliminated ethanol interference in detecting methanol in wines, also realized automatic analysis for methanol without sample pretreatment.
Iridium-catalysed direct sulfamidation of quinazolinones
Authors: Feng Yadong , Li Yudong , Yu Yunliang , Wang Lianhui , Cui Xiuling
Published: February 2018

An Ir-catalysed direct sulfamidation of quinazolinones has been achieved to construct a series of ortho-diamided quinazolinones in excellent yields, and nitrogen was released as the sole byproduct.
A robust hierarchical microcapsule for efficient supercapacitors exhibiting an ultrahigh current density of 300 A g−1
Authors: Yang Cheng , Shi Minjie , Song Xuefeng , Zhao Xiaofeng , Zhao Liping , Liu Jing , Zhang Peng , Gao Lian
Published: February 2018

A unique three dimensional (3D) hierarchical microcapsule structure (NiSx@NCV) has been put forward, which is realized by the ensemble of N-doped carbon vesicles encapsulating dual-NiSx (α-NiS/NiS2) nanoparticles via an in situ nanospace-confined pyrolysis strategy.
Theoretical study and structural optimization of a flexible piezoelectret-based pressure sensor
Authors: Wu Nan , Chen Shuwen , Lin Shizhe , Li Wenbo , Xu Zisheng , Yuan Fang , Huang Liang , Hu Bin , Zhou Jun
Published: February 2018

An electric-mechanical model for a piezoelectret-based pressure sensor was established. By following the theoretical guidance, we optimized the structure of a piezoelectret pressure sensor. The sensitivity can reach 15 V kPa−1in the range of 0–2.5 kPa, which can be adjusted to fit different requirements. The sensor and the new model develop a new route for self-powered wearable electronics.
Hybrid nanobud-array structures (C24)n/MoS2and (C24V)n/MoS2: two-dimensional half metallic and ferromagnetic materials
Authors: Pan Ping , Hu Yangyang , Zhang Guiling , Yang Zhao-Di , Zeng Xiao Cheng
Published: February 2018

Two-dimensional (2D) hybrid nanobud-array structures, (C24)n/MoS2and (C24V)n/MoS2, are designed by grafting (C24)nor (C24V)nfullerene arrays onto the surface of 2D monolayer MoS2(ML-MoS2).
Understanding phase-change materials with unexpectedly low resistance drift for phase-change memories
Authors: Li Chao , Hu Chaoquan , Wang Jianbo , Yu Xiao , Yang Zhongbo , Liu Jian , Li Yuankai , Bi Chaobin , Zhou Xilin , Zheng Weitao
Published: February 2018

There is an increasing demand for high-density memories with high stability for supercomputers in this big data era.
Correction: Arsenic trioxide exposure accelerates colon preneoplasic aberrant crypt foci induction regionally through mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Moulahoum Hichem , Boumaza Belkacem Mohamed Amine , Ferrat Meriem
Published: February 2018

Correction for ‘Arsenic trioxide exposure accelerates colon preneoplasic aberrant crypt foci induction regionally through mitochondrial dysfunction’ by Hichem Moulahoum et al., Toxicol. Res., 2017, DOI: 10.1039/C7TX00213K.
Model-based metabolism design: constraints for kinetic and stoichiometric models
Authors: Stalidzans Egils , Seiman Andrus , Peebo Karl , Komasilovs Vitalijs , Pentjuss Agris
Published: February 2018

The implementation of model-based designs in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology may fail. One of the reasons for this failure is that only a part of the real-world complexity is included in models. Still, some knowledge can be simplified and taken into account in the form of optimization constraints to improve the feasibility of model-based designs of metabolic pathways in organisms. Some constraints (mass balance, energy balance, and steady-state assumption) serve as a basis for many modelling approaches. There are others (total enzyme activity constraint and homeostatic constraint) proposed decades ago, but which are frequently ignored in design development. Several new approaches of cellular analysis have made possible the application of constraints like cell size, surface, and resource balance. Constraints for kinetic and stoichiometric models are grouped according to their applicability preconditions in (1) general constraints, (2) organism-level constraints, and (3) experiment-level constraints. General constraints are universal and are applicable for any system. Organism-level constraints are applicable for biological systems and usually are organism-specific, but these constraints can be applied without information about experimental conditions. To apply experimental-level constraints, peculiarities of the organism and the experimental set-up have to be taken into account to calculate the values of constraints. The limitations of applicability of particular constraints for kinetic and stoichiometric models are addressed.
Miniaturised multiple notched omnidirectional UWB monopole antenna
Authors: Hosseini H. , Hassani H.R. , Amini M.H.
Published: February 2018

A miniaturised coplanar waveguide‐fed multiple notched monopole antenna for ultra‐wide bandwidth (UWB) application is presented. By introducing multiple inverted L‐shaped stubs embedded within a polygonal shaped monopole antenna, multiple notches can be achieved. A prototype antenna with triple band‐notched at WiMAX, WLAN, and X‐band is designed and fabricated. The proposed antenna has an impedance bandwidth of 3–12 GHz with a voltage standing wave ratio of <2 except for the selected notched bands. The main advantage of the antenna is its miniaturised size (21 × 14 mm2), as well as the straightforward design. The antenna has a unipolar configuration and good omnidirectional radiation pattern with negligible distortion which is suitable for UWB applications.