bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dissecting the structural basis of MEIG1 interaction with PACRG
Authors: Li Wei , Walavalkar Ninad M. , Buchwald William A. , Teves Maria E. , Zhang Ling , Liu Hong , Bilinovich Stephanie , Peterson Darrell L. , Strauss III Jerome F. , Williams Jr David C. , Zhang Zhibing
Published: January 2016

The product of the meiosis-expressed gene 1 (MEIG1) is found in the cell bodies of spermatocytes and recruited to the manchette, a structure unique to elongating spermatids, by Parkin co-regulated gene (PACRG). This complex is essential for targeting cargo to the manchette during sperm flagellum assembly. Here we show that MEIG1 adopts a unique fold that provides a large surface for interacting with other proteins. We mutated 12 exposed and conserved amino acids and show that four of these mutations (W50A, K57E, F66A, Y68A) dramatically reduce binding to PACRG. These four amino acids form a contiguous hydrophobic patch on one end of the protein. Furthermore, each of these four mutations diminishes the ability of MEIG1 to stabilize PACRG when expressed in bacteria. Together these studies establish the unique structure and key interaction surface of MEIG1 and provide a framework to explore how MEIG1 recruits proteins to build the sperm tail.
Energy efficient reduced graphene oxide additives: Mechanism of effective lubrication and antiwear properties
Authors: Gupta Bhavana , Kumar N. , Panda Kalpataru , Dash S. , Tyagi A. K.
Published: January 2016

Optimized concentration of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in the lube is one of the important factors for effective lubrication of solid body contacts. At sufficiently lower concentration, the lubrication is ineffective and friction/wear is dominated by base oil. In contrast, at sufficiently higher concentration, the rGO sheets aggregates in the oil and weak interlayer sliding characteristic of graphene sheets is no more active for providing lubrication. However, at optimized concentration, friction coefficient and wear is remarkably reduced to 70% and 50%, respectively, as compared to neat oil. Traditionally, such lubrication is described by graphene/graphite particle deposited in contact surfaces that provides lower shear strength of boundary tribofilm. In the present investigation, graphene/graphite tribofilm was absent and existing traditional lubrication mechanism for the reduction of friction and wear is ruled out. It is demonstrated that effective lubrication is possible, if rGO is chemically linked with PEG molecules through hydrogen bonding and PEG intercalated graphene sheets provide sufficiently lower shear strength of freely suspended composite tribofilm under the contact pressure. The work revealed that physical deposition and adsorption of the graphene sheets in the metallic contacts is not necessary for the lubrication.
Nesterenkonia sp. strain F, a halophilic bacterium producing acetone, butanol and ethanol under aerobic conditions
Authors: Amiri Hamid , Azarbaijani Reza , Parsa Yeganeh Laleh , Shahzadeh Fazeli Abolhassan , Tabatabaei Meisam , Hosseini Salekdeh Ghasem , Karimi Keikhosro
Published: January 2016

The moderately halophilic bacterium Nesterenkonia sp. strain F, which was isolated from Aran-Bidgol Lake (Iran), has the ability to produce acetone, butanol and ethanol (ABE) as well as acetic and butyric acids under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. This result is the first report of ABE production with a wild microorganism from a family other than Clostridia and also the first halophilic species shown to produce butanol under aerobic cultivation. The cultivation of Nesterenkonia sp. strain F under anaerobic conditions with 50 g/l of glucose for 72 h resulted in the production of 105 mg/l of butanol, 122 mg/l of acetone, 0.2 g/l of acetic acid and 2.5 g/l of butyric acid. Furthermore, the strain was cultivated on media with different glucose concentrations (20, 50 and 80 g/l) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Through fermentation with a 50 g/l initial glucose concentration under aerobic conditions, 66 mg/l of butanol, 125 mg/l of acetone, 291 mg/l of ethanol, 5.9 g/l of acetic acid and 1.2 g/l of butyric acid were produced. The enzymes pertaining to the fermentation pathway in the strain were compared with the enzymes of Clostridium spp. and the metabolic pathway of fermentation used by Nesterenkonia sp. strain F was investigated.
RANTES mediates kidney ischemia reperfusion injury through a possible role of HIF-1α and LncRNA PRINS
Authors: Yu Tung-Min , Palanisamy Kalaiselvi , Sun Kuo-Ting , Day Yuan-Ji , Shu Kuo-Hsiung , Wang I-Kuan , Shyu Woei-Cherng , Chen Ping , Chen Yuh-Lien , Li Chi-Yuan
Published: January 2016

RANTES (Regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted), recruits circulating leukocytes and augments inflammatory responses in many clinical conditions. Inflammatory responses in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) significantly affect the unfavorable outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) and that infiltrating immune cells are important mediators of AKI. However, the significance of RANTES in AKI and whether hypoxia-induced LncRNAs are involved in the regulatory process of AKI are not known. Here we show that, in the kidney IRI mice model, significant RANTES expression was observed in renal tubular cells of wild type mice. RANTES deficient (RANTES−/−) mice showed better renal function by reducing the acute tubular necrosis, serum creatinine levels, infiltration of inflammatory cells and cytokine expressions compared to wild type. In vitro, we found that RANTES expression was regulated by NF-κB. Further, renal tubular cells showed deregulated LncRNA expression under hypoxia. Among HIF-1α dependent LncRNAs, PRINS (Psoriasis susceptibility-related RNA Gene Induced by Stress) was significantly up regulated in hypoxic conditions and had specific interaction with RANTES as confirmed through reporter assay. These observations show first evidence for RANTES produced by renal tubular cells act as a key chemokine in AKI and HIF-1α regulated LncRNA-PRINS might be involved in RANTES production.
Emotional Intent Modulates The Neural Substrates Of Creativity: An fMRI Study of Emotionally Targeted Improvisation in Jazz Musicians
Authors: McPherson Malinda J. , Barrett Frederick S. , Lopez-Gonzalez Monica , Jiradejvong Patpong , Limb Charles J.
Published: January 2016

Emotion is a primary motivator for creative behaviors, yet the interaction between the neural systems involved in creativity and those involved in emotion has not been studied. In the current study, we addressed this gap by using fMRI to examine piano improvisation in response to emotional cues. We showed twelve professional jazz pianists photographs of an actress representing a positive, negative or ambiguous emotion. Using a non-ferromagnetic thirty-five key keyboard, the pianists improvised music that they felt represented the emotion expressed in the photographs. Here we show that activity in prefrontal and other brain networks involved in creativity is highly modulated by emotional context. Furthermore, emotional intent directly modulated functional connectivity of limbic and paralimbic areas such as the amygdala and insula. These findings suggest that emotion and creativity are tightly linked and that the neural mechanisms underlying creativity may depend on emotional state.
The long-term effects of planting and harvesting on secondary forest dynamics under climate change in northeastern China
Authors: Yao Jing , He Xingyuan , He Hongshi , Chen Wei , Dai Limin , Lewis Bernard J. , Yu Lizhong
Published: January 2016

Unlike the virgin forest in the Changbaishan Nature Reserve in northeastern China, little research on a landscape scale has been conducted on secondary forests in the region under conditions of a warming climate. This research was undertaken in the upper Hun River region where the vegetation is representative of the typical secondary forest of northeastern China. The spatially explicit forest landscape model LANDIS was utilized to simulate the responses of forest restoration dynamics to anthropogenic disturbance (planting and harvesting) and evaluate the difference of the restoration process under continuation of current climatic conditions and climate warming. The results showed that: (1) The interaction of planting and harvesting has organizational scale effects on the forest. The combination of planting and harvesting policies has significant effects on the overall forest but not on individual species. (2) The area expansion of the historically dominant speciesPinus koraiensisis less under climate warming than under continuation of current climatic conditions. These suggests that we should carefully take historically dominant species as the main focus for forest restoration, especially when they are near their natural distribution boundary, because they are probably less capable of successfully adapting to climate change.
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii A2-165 has a high capacity to induce IL-10 in human and murine dendritic cells and modulates T cell responses
Authors: Rossi Oriana , van Berkel Lisette A. , Chain Florian , Tanweer Khan M. , Taverne Nico , Sokol Harry , Duncan Sylvia H. , Flint Harry J. , Harmsen Hermie J. M. , Langella Philippe , Samsom Janneke N. , Wells Jerry M.
Published: January 2016

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii strain A2-165 was previously reported to have anti-inflammatory properties and prevent colitis in a TNBS model. We compared the immunomodulatory properties of strain A2-165 to four different F. prausnitzii isolates and eight abundant intestinal commensals using human dendritic cells (DCs) and mouse BMDCs in vitro. Principal component analysis revealed that the cytokine response to F. prausnitzii A2-165 is distinct from the other strains in eliciting high amounts of IL-10 secretion. The mouse DNBS model of relapsing IBD was used to compare the protective effects of F. prausnitzii A2-165 and Clostridium hathewayi, a low secretor of IL-10, on the Th1-driven inflammatory response to DNBS; attenuation of disease parameters was only observed with F. prausnitzii. In an in vivo mouse model of nasal tolerance to ovalbumin, F. prausnitzii A2-165 enhanced ovalbumin-specific T cell proliferation and reduced the proportion of IFN-γ+ T cells in CLNs. Similarly, in vitro F. prausnitzii A2-165 stimulated BMDCs increased ovalbumin-specific T cell proliferation and reduced the number of IFN-γ+ T cells. These mechanisms may contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects of F. prausnitzii in colitis and support the notion that this abundant bacterium might contribute to immune homeostasis in the intestine via its anti-inflammatory properties.
Magnetic levitation-based electromagnetic energy harvesting: a semi-analytical non-linear model for energy transduction
Authors: Soares dos Santos Marco P. , Ferreira Jorge A. F. , Simões José A. O. , Pascoal Ricardo , Torrão João , Xue Xiaozheng , Furlani Edward P.
Published: January 2016

Magnetic levitation has been used to implement low-cost and maintenance-free electromagnetic energy harvesting. The ability of levitation-based harvesting systems to operate autonomously for long periods of time makes them well-suited for self-powering a broad range of technologies. In this paper, a combined theoretical and experimental study is presented of a harvester configuration that utilizes the motion of a levitated hard-magnetic element to generate electrical power. A semi-analytical, non-linear model is introduced that enables accurate and efficient analysis of energy transduction. The model predicts the transient and steady-state response of the harvester a function of its motion (amplitude and frequency) and load impedance. Very good agreement is obtained between simulation and experiment with energy errors lower than 14.15% (mean absolute percentage error of 6.02%) and cross-correlations higher than 86%. The model provides unique insight into fundamental mechanisms of energy transduction and enables the geometric optimization of harvesters prior to fabrication and the rational design of intelligent energy harvesters.
Stability of similarity measurements for bipartite networks
Authors: Liu Jian-Guo , Hou Lei , Pan Xue , Guo Qiang , Zhou Tao
Published: January 2016

Similarity is a fundamental measure in network analyses and machine learning algorithms, with wide applications ranging from personalized recommendation to socio-economic dynamics. We argue that an effective similarity measurement should guarantee the stability even under some information loss. With six bipartite networks, we investigate the stabilities of fifteen similarity measurements by comparing the similarity matrixes of two data samples which are randomly divided from original data sets. Results show that, the fifteen measurements can be well classified into three clusters according to their stabilities and measurements in the same cluster have similar mathematical definitions. In addition, we develop a top-n-stability method for personalized recommendation and find that the unstable similarities would recommend false information to users and the performance of recommendation would be largely improved by using stable similarity measurements. This work provides a novel dimension to analyze and evaluate similarity measurements, which can further find applications in link prediction, personalized recommendation, clustering algorithms, community detection and so on.
π Berry phase and Zeeman splitting of Weyl semimetal TaP
Authors: Hu J. , Liu J. Y. , Graf D. , Radmanesh S. M. A. , Adams D. J. , Chuang A. , Wang Y. , Chiorescu I. , Wei J. , Spinu L. , Mao Z. Q.
Published: January 2016

The recent breakthrough in the discovery of Weyl fermions in monopnictide semimetals provides opportunities to explore the exotic properties of relativistic fermions in condensed matter. The chiral anomaly-induced negative magnetoresistance and π Berry phase are two fundamental transport properties associated with the topological characteristics of Weyl semimetals. Since monopnictide semimetals are multiple-band systems, resolving clear Berry phase for each Fermi pocket remains a challenge. Here we report the determination of Berry phases of multiple Fermi pockets of Weyl semimetal TaP through high field quantum transport measurements. We show our TaP single crystal has the signatures of a Weyl state, including light effective quasiparticle masses, ultrahigh carrier mobility, as well as negative longitudinal magnetoresistance. Furthermore, we have generalized the Lifshitz-Kosevich formula for multiple-band Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations and extracted the Berry phases of π for multiple Fermi pockets in TaP through the direct fits of the modified LK formula to the SdH oscillations. In high fields, we also probed signatures of Zeeman splitting, from which the Landé g-factor is extracted.
Ultrasensitive interplay between ferromagnetism and superconductivity in NbGd composite thin films
Authors: Bawa Ambika , Gupta Anurag , Singh Sandeep , Awana V.P.S. , Sahoo Sangeeta
Published: January 2016

A model binary hybrid system composed of a randomly distributed rare-earth ferromagnetic (Gd) part embedded in an s-wave superconducting (Nb) matrix is being manufactured to study the interplay between competing superconducting and ferromagnetic order parameters. The normal metallic to superconducting phase transition appears to be very sensitive to the magnetic counterpart and the modulation of the superconducing properties follow closely to the Abrikosov-Gor’kov (AG) theory of magnetic impurity induced pair breaking mechanism. A critical concentration of Gd is obtained for the studied NbGd based composite films (CFs) above which superconductivity disappears. Besides, a magnetic ordering resembling the paramagnetic Meissner effect (PME) appears in DC magnetization measurements at temperatures close to the superconducting transition temperature. The positive magnetization related to the PME emerges upon doping Nb with Gd. The temperature dependent resistance measurements evolve in a similar fashion with the concentration of Gd as that with an external magnetic field and in both the cases, the transition curves accompany several intermediate features indicating the traces of magnetism originated either from Gd or from the external field. Finally, the signatures of magnetism appear evidently in the magnetization and transport measurements for the CFs with very low (<1 at.%) doping of Gd.
Parity and gastric cancer risk: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Chen Jing , Gong Ting-Ting , Wu Qi-Jun
Published: January 2016

We performed this meta-analysis of epidemiological studies to comprehensively assess the association between parity and gastric cancer risk, because previous studies have shown conflicting results regarding this topic. Relevant prospective studies were identified by searching the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science and random-effects models were used to estimate summary relative risks (SRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Our search yielded 10 prospective cohort studies involving a total of 6624 gastric cancer cases and 5,559,695 non-cases. The SRRs for ever parity vs. nulliparous and highest vs. lowest parity number were 0.96 (95%CI = 0.87–1.05, I2 = 0%) and 1.03 (95%CI = 0.94–1.13, I2 = 0%), respectively. Additionally, the SRR for an increment of one live birth was 1.00 (95%CI = 0.97–1.03, I2 = 18.6%). These non-significant associations were observed in all subgroups as stratified by the number of gastric cases, follow-up years, geographic location, menopausal status, anatomic subsite of gastric cancer and adjustment for potential confounders, as well as in sensitivity analyses. Our meta-analysis found no significant association between parity and gastric cancer risk. However, further studies should be conducted to validate our findings and could provide more detailed results by stratifying their findings by Lauren’s subtype, histology and anatomic site, as well as fully adjusting for potential confounding factors.
Uncovering system-specific stress signatures in primate teeth with multimodal imaging
Authors: Austin Christine , Smith Tanya M. , Farahani Ramin M. Z. , Hinde Katie , Carter Elizabeth A. , Lee Joonsup , Lay Peter A. , Kennedy Brendan J. , Sarrafpour Babak , Wright Rosalind J. , Wright Robert O. , Arora Manish
Published: January 2016

Early life stress can disrupt development and negatively impact long-term health trajectories. Reconstructing histories of early life exposure to external stressors is hampered by the absence of retrospective time-specific biomarkers. Defects in tooth enamel have been used to reconstruct stress but the methods used are subjective and do not identify the specific biological systems impacted by external stressors. Here we show that external physical and social stressors impart biochemical signatures in primate teeth that can be retrieved to objectively reconstruct the timing of early life developmental disruptions. Using teeth from captive macaques, we uncovered elemental imprints specific to disruptions of skeletal growth, including major disruptions in body weight trajectory and moderate to severe illnesses. Discrete increases in heat shock protein-70 expression in dentine coincided with elemental signatures, confirming that elemental signals were associated with activation of stress-related pathways. To overcome limitations of conventional light-microscopic analysis, we used high resolution Raman microspectral imaging to identify structural and compositional alterations in enamel and dentine that coincided with elemental signatures and with detailed medical and behavioural data. Integrating these objective biochemical markers with temporal mapping of teeth enables the retrospective study of early life developmental disruptions and their ensuing health sequelae.
Far-field optical imaging with subdiffraction resolution enabled by nonlinear saturation absorption
Authors: Ding Chenliang , Wei Jingsong
Published: January 2016

The resolution of far-field optical imaging is required to improve beyond the Abbe limit to the subdiffraction or even the nanoscale. In this work, inspired by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) imaging, in which carbon (or Au) thin films are usually required to be coated on the sample surface before imaging to remove the charging effect while imaging by electrons. We propose a saturation-absorption-induced far-field super-resolution optical imaging method (SAI-SRIM). In the SAI-SRIM, the carbon (or Au) layers in SEM imaging are replaced by nonlinear-saturation-absorption (NSA) thin films, which are directly coated onto the sample surfaces using advanced thin film deposition techniques. The surface fluctuant morphologies are replicated to the NSA thin films, accordingly. The coated sample surfaces are then imaged using conventional laser scanning microscopy. Consequently, the imaging resolution is greatly improved and subdiffraction-resolved optical images are obtained theoretically and experimentally. The SAI-SRIM provides an effective and easy way to achieve far-field super-resolution optical imaging for sample surfaces with geometric fluctuant morphology characteristics.
Printed Large-Area Single-Mode Photonic Crystal Bandedge Surface-Emitting Lasers on Silicon
Authors: Zhao Deyin , Liu Shihchia , Yang Hongjun , Ma Zhenqiang , Reuterskiöld-Hedlund Carl , Hammar Mattias , Zhou Weidong
Published: January 2016

We report here an optically pumped hybrid III-V/Si photoic crystal surface emitting laser (PCSEL), consisting of a heterogeneously integrated III-V InGaAsP quantum well heterostructure gain medium, printed on a patterned defect-free Si photonic crystal (PC) bandedge cavity. Single mode lasing was achieved for a large area laser, with a side-mode suppression ratio of 28 dB, for lasing operation temperature ~200 K. Two types of lasers were demonstrated operating at different temperatures. Detailed modal analysis reveals the lasing mode matches with the estimated lasing gain threshold conditions. Our demonstration promises a hybrid laser sources on Si towards three-dimensional (3D) integrated Si photonics for on-chip wavelength-division multiplex (3D WDM) systems for a wide range of volume photonic/electronic applications in computing, communication, sensing, imaging, etc.
Manual, In situ, Real-Time Nanofabrication using Cracking through Indentation
Authors: Nam Koo Hyun , Suh Young D. , Yeo Junyeob , Woo Deokha
Published: January 2016

Nanofabrication has seen an increasing demand for applications in many fields of science and technology, but its production still requires relatively difficult, time-consuming and expensive processes. Here we report a simple but very effective one dimensional (1D) nano-patterning technology that suggests a new nanofabrication method. This new technique involves the control of naturally propagating cracks initiated through simple, manually generated indentation, obviating the necessity of complicated equipment and elaborate experimental environments such as those that employ clean rooms, high vacuums and the fastidious maintenance of processing temperatures. The channel fabricated with this technique can be as narrow as 10 nm with unlimited length and very high cross-sectional aspect ratio, an accomplishment difficult even for a state-of-the-art technology such as e-beam lithography. More interestingly, the fabrication speed can be controlled and achieved to as little as several hundred micrometers per second. Along with the simplicity and real-time fabrication capability of the technique, this tunable fabrication speed makes the method introduced here the authentic nanofabrication for in situ experiments.
Microballoon pressure sensors for particle imaging manometry in liquid and gaseous media
Authors: Banerjee N. , Mastrangelo C. H.
Published: January 2016

We present the fabrication and testing of engineered microballoon particles that expand and contract under external pressure changes hence serving as microscopic pressure sensors.
Bacterial culture detection and identification in blood agar plates with an optoelectronic nose
Authors: Lim Sung H. , Mix Samantha , Anikst Victoria , Budvytiene Indre , Eiden Michael , Churi Yair , Queralto Nuria , Berliner Anders , Martino Raymond A. , Rhodes Paul A. , Banaei Niaz
Published: January 2016

The colorimetric sensor array demonstrated 15 pathogenic bacterial species cultured on blood agar can be rapidly detected and identified.
UV-assisted Fenton digestion of rice for the determination of trace cadmium by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry
Authors: Yu Huimin , Ai Xi , Xu Kailai , Zheng Chengbin , Hou Xiandeng
Published: January 2016

A new, simple and efficient digestion method using UV-assisted Fe0 Fenton reaction was developed for the pretreatment of rice samples prior to cadmium analysis by atomic fluorescence spectrometry.
Self-assembled biosensor with universal reporter and dual-quenchers for detection of unlabelled nucleic acids
Authors: Huang Liming , Aryal Gyan H. , Tam-Chang Suk-Wah , Publicover Nelson G. , Hunter Kenneth W.
Published: January 2016

We developed a self-assembled biosensor for rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of unlabeled nucleic acids.
Carbon nanotubes implanted manganese-based MOFs for simultaneous detection of biomolecules in body fluids
Authors: Wang Min-Qiang , Ye Cui , Bao Shu-Juan , Zhang Yan , Yu Ya-Nan , Xu Mao-wen
Published: January 2016

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently attracted much interest in electrochemical fields due to their controlled porosity, large internal surface area, and countless structural topologies.
A novel chemiluminescence enhanced method for determination of putrescine in shrimp based on the luminol–[Ag(HIO6)2]5− reaction
Authors: Chen Peiyun , Sun Hanwen , Wang Xianyou , Pang Yanping , Li Bin
Published: January 2016

A novel chemiluminescence enhanced method for the determination of putrescine in shrimp based on the luminol–[Ag(HIO6)2]5− reaction.
Synthesis of sunflower-like gold nanostructures and their application in electrochemical immunoassays using the nanogold-triggered hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Fu Xiaohong , Xu Kun , Feng Xueru
Published: January 2016

A novel and unconventional electrochemical immunosensing protocol was designed for the sensitive monitoring of neuron-specific enolase (NSE, as a model analyte) by using the sunflower-like gold nanostructure (AuSF)-triggered hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Multifunctional organic nanoparticles with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics for targeted photodynamic therapy and RNA interference therapy
Authors: Jin Guorui , Feng Guangxue , Qin Wei , Tang Ben Zhong , Liu Bin , Li Kai
Published: January 2016

We report the design of AIE fluorogen (AIEgen)-based multifunctional organic nanoparticles with surface siRNA decoration for targeted photodynamic therapy and RNA interference therapy.
MnO2-promoted carboesterification of alkenes with anhydrides: a facile approach to γ-lactones
Authors: Wu Lihuan , Zhang Zhenming , Liao Jianhua , Li Jianxiao , Wu Wanqing , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: January 2016

A new radical cyclization method for the formation of C(sp3)–C(sp3) and C–O bonds via MnO2-promoted alkene carboesterification with anhydrides is developed.
Ordered mesoporous TiC–C composites as cathode materials for Li–O2 batteries
Authors: Qiu Feilong , He Ping , Jiang Jie , Zhang Xueping , Tong Shengfu , Zhou Haoshen
Published: January 2016

Ordered mesoporous TiC–C (OMTC) composites were prepared and served as catalysts for nonaqueous Li–O2 batteries. The OMTC cathodes showed high specific capacity, low overpotential and good cyclability. Furthermore, the discharge and charge processes were investigated extensively by XRD, XPS and in situ GC-MS methods.
Edge-rich and dopant-free graphene as a highly efficient metal-free electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Tao Li , Wang Qiang , Dou Shuo , Ma Zhaoling , Huo Jia , Wang Shuangyin , Dai Liming
Published: January 2016

An edge-rich and dopant-free ORR electrocatalyst was designed by the plasma etching strategy and the as-designed catalyst shows a one-step and four-electron pathway.
Tungsten imido catalysts for selective ethylene dimerisation
Authors: Wright Christopher M. R. , Turner Zoë R. , Buffet Jean-Charles , O'Hare Dermot
Published: January 2016

A tungsten imido complex W(NDipp)Me3Cl (Dipp = 2,6-iPr-C6H3) is active for the selective dimerisation of ethylene to yield 1-butene under mild conditions. The catalyst supported on polymethylaluminoxane demonstrates higher activity and selectivity.
Turning conductive carbon nanospheres into nanosheets for high-performance supercapacitors of MnO2 nanorods
Authors: Phattharasupakun Nutthaphon , Wutthiprom Juthaporn , Chiochan Poramane , Suktha Phansiri , Suksomboon Montakan , Kalasina Saran , Sawangphruk Montree
Published: January 2016

Oxidized carbon nanosheets can significantly improve the charge-storage performance of the symmetric MnO2 supercapacitors.
Functionalization of P4 in the coordination sphere of coinage metal cations
Authors: Borger Jaap E. , Bakker Martijn S. , Ehlers Andreas W. , Lutz Martin , Chris Slootweg J. , Lammertsma Koop
Published: January 2016

Selective functionalization of white phosphorus is achieved by addition of ArLi to unique cationic coinage metal η2–P4 complexes.
Dehydrogenative coupling of silanes with alcohols catalyzed by Cu3(BTC)2
Authors: Dhakshinamoorthy Amarajothi , Concepcion Patricia , Garcia Hermenegildo
Published: January 2016

Dehydrogenative coupling of silanes with alcohols catalyzed by Cu3(BTC)2requires the cooperation of both Cu(ii) and Cu(i), the former adsorbing the alcohol and the latter interacting with the silane.
Iron-catalysed sequential reaction towards α-aminonitriles from secondary amines, primary alcohols and trimethylsilyl cyanide
Authors: Shen Hang , Hu Liangzhen , Liu Qing , Hussain Muhammad Ijaz , Pan Jing , Huang Mingming , Xiong Yan
Published: January 2016

We developed a one-pot iron-catalysed sequential reaction of secondary amines under mild reaction conditions to give the corresponding α-aminonitriles.
Dual nucleophilic substitution at a W(ii) η2-coordinated diiodo acetylene leading to an amidinium carbyne complex
Authors: Helmdach Kai , Rüger Julia , Villinger Alexander , Seidel Wolfram W.
Published: January 2016

The reactivity of side-on coordinated diiodo acetylene at the [Tp′W(CO)2]+complex building block towards various nucleophiles is described. Introduction of two primary amines involved a side-on to end-on rearrangement, which is rather unexpected for 4e donor alkyne complexes.
A combinatorial approach to solution-processed InGaO3(ZnO)m superlattice films: growth mechanisms and their thermoelectric properties
Authors: Cho Sung Woon , Jeong Myoungho , Kim Jun Hyeon , Kwon Yong Hun , Kim Hyoungsub , Lee Jeong Yong , Cho Hyung Koun
Published: January 2016

The strong single-phase InGaO3(ZnO)m films with superlattice structures showed superior thermoelectric power factors. Their microstructural growth evolution was investigated using transmission electron microscopy in detail.
Highly elongated vertical GaN nanorod arrays on Si substrates with an AlN seed layer by pulsed-mode metal–organic vapor deposition
Authors: Bae Si-Young , Jung Byung Oh , Lekhal Kaddour , Kim Sang Yun , Lee Jeong Yong , Lee Dong-Seon , Deki Manato , Honda Yoshio , Amano Hiroshi
Published: January 2016

Precisely controlled morphology of GaN nanorods was obtained on a thin AlN seed layer and their height increased as the diameter of the mask openings decreased.
Reaction mechanism of a PbS-on-ZnO heterostructure and enhanced photovoltaic diode performance with an interface-modulated heterojunction energy band structure
Authors: Li Haili , Jiao Shujie , Ren Jinxian , Li Hongtao , Gao Shiyong , Wang Jinzhong , Wang Dongbo , Yu Qingjiang , Zhang Yong , Li Lin
Published: January 2016

The initial steps of a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction are explored by XPS. The effects of dipping order on energy band structure are determined by physical analysis.
Two photon absorption properties of four coordinated transition metal complexes of tetraarylazadipyrromethene compounds
Authors: Akhüseyin E. , Türkmen O. , Küçüköz B. , Yılmaz H. , Karatay A. , Sevinç G. , Xu K. , Hayvali M. , Yaglioglu H. G.
Published: January 2016

The effects of metals and substituents on the charge transfer mechanism and TPA properties of tetraarylazadipyrromethene compounds were investigated by ultrafast pump–probe spectroscopy, OA Z-scan experiments and DFT calculations.
Mn concentration-dependent tuning of Mn2+ d emission of Zn1−xMnxTe nanocrystals grown in a glass system
Authors: Silva Alessandra S. , Lourenço Sidney A. , Dantas Noelio O.
Published: January 2016

The 4T1(4G) → 6A1(6S) emission energy of the Mn2+ ions can be tuned by modifying the local crystal field.
Optimization of second harmonic generation of gold nanospheres and nanorods in aqueous solution: the dominant role of surface area
Authors: Ngo Hoang Minh , Nguyen Phuong Phong , Ledoux-Rak Isabelle
Published: January 2016

Gold nanoparticles display exceptionally strong β values. We demonstrated that the first hyperpolarizability (β) strongly depends on surface area of gold nanoparticles.
Sensing the quantum behaviour of magnetic nanoparticles by electron magnetic resonance
Authors: Fittipaldi M. , Mercatelli R. , Sottini S. , Ceci P. , Falvo E. , Gatteschi D.
Published: January 2016

Magnetic nanoparticles: quantum behaviour sensed by EMR.
One-pot two-step rapid synthesis of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane-mediated highly catalytic Ag@(PdAu) trimetallic nanoparticles
Authors: Pandey P. C. , Pandey Gunjan
Published: January 2016

Synergistic interactions between individual components of multimetallic nanoparticles result in dramatic changes in important physical or chemical properties that outclass those of monometallic nanoparticles in many aspects.
Synthesis and reactivity of fluorenyl-tethered N-heterocyclic stannylenes
Authors: Roselló-Merino Marta , Mansell Stephen M.
Published: January 2016

N-Heterocyclic stannylenes containing a functionalised donor arm have been synthesised using a transamination strategy from [Sn{N(SiMe3)2}2] and fluorenyl-tethered diamines.
Ru(ii)-dmso complexes containing azole-based ligands: synthesis, linkage isomerism and catalytic behaviour
Authors: Ferrer Íngrid , Fontrodona Xavier , Rodríguez Montserrat , Romero Isabel
Published: January 2016

Photochemical ligand substitution in acetonitrile and chloroform, together with the kinetics of dmso linkage isomerization, are investigated in new Ru(ii)-dmso complexes that are also active as nitrile hydration catalysts.
Capturing the missing [AgF2]− anion within an Ru2(iii/iii) dimeric dumbbell complex
Authors: Corcos Amanda R. , Berry John F.
Published: January 2016

This is the first example of a complex containing a two-coordinate, linear coinage metal difluoride anion.
The effects of polysaccharides from the root of Angelica sinensis on tumor growth and iron metabolism in H22-bearing mice
Authors: Cheng Yao , Zhou Jiali , Li Qiang , Liu Ying , Wang Kaiping , Zhang Yu
Published: January 2016

ASP could participate in the regulation of iron metabolism to induce an inhibitory effect on tumor growth by decreasing the levels of hepcidin, IL-6, ferritin, Tf, TfR1 and TfR2 in H22-bearing mice.
Inhibitory effects of selected dietary flavonoids on the formation of total heterocyclic amines and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) in roast beef patties and in chemical models
Authors: Zhu Qin , Zhang Shuang , Wang Mingfu , Chen Jie , Zheng Zong-Ping
Published: January 2016

Dietary flavonoids effectively inhibit total HAs and PhIP formation in roast beef patties through scavenging of intermediates in formation pathways.
Effects of piceatannol and pterostilbene against β-amyloid-induced apoptosis on the PI3K/Akt/Bad signaling pathway in PC12 cells
Authors: Fu Zheng , Yang Jiufang , Wei Yangji , Li Jingming
Published: January 2016

Piceatannol and pterostilbene both showed protective effect against Aβ-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, however, with different PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.
Metabolite profiling in 18 Saudi date palm fruit cultivars and their antioxidant potential via UPLC-qTOF-MS and multivariate data analyses
Authors: Farag Mohamed A. , Handoussa Heba , Fekry Mostafa I. , Wessjohann Ludger A.
Published: January 2016

Date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera) is not only one of the most economically significant plants in the Middle East, but also valued for its nutritional impact, and for which development of analytical methods is ongoing to help distinguish its many cultivars.
Multifunctional natural agarose as an alternative material for high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Hwang Gaeun , Kim Ju-Myung , Hong Dongki , Kim Choon-Ki , Choi Nam-Soon , Lee Sang-Young , Park Soojin
Published: January 2016

Multifunctional agarose acts as an effective binder for Si anodes and LiMn2O4cathodes and also serves as a good carbon source to obtain hard carbon.
A microfluidic method for dopamine uptake measurements in dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Yu Yue , Shamsi Mohtashim H. , Krastev Dimitar L. , Dryden Michael D. M. , Leung Yen , Wheeler Aaron R.
Published: January 2016

An integrated digital microfluidic platform combining in-situ differentiation of neurons with in-line recording of extracellular dopamine concentrations.
Identification of epitope-based peptide vaccine candidates against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli: a comparative genomics and immunoinformatics approach
Authors: Mehla Kusum , Ramana Jayashree
Published: January 2016

In the present study, we have employed integrated omics approach to identify potential vaccine candidates against ETEC.
Probing substrate binding to the metal binding sites in metallo-β-lactamase L1 during catalysis
Authors: Aitha Mahesh , Al-Adbul-Wahid Sameer , Tierney David L. , Crowder Michael W.
Published: January 2016

RFQ-EXAFS studies were used to probe the metal centers in metallo-β-lactamase L1 during catalysis.
Structure of olefin–imidacloprid and gas-phase fragmentation chemistry of its protonated form
Authors: Fusetto Roberto , White Jonathan M. , Hutton Craig A. , O'Hair Richard A. J.
Published: January 2016

Gas-phase fragmentation reactions of protonated olefin–imidacloprid.
Fluorescence quenching in β-cyclodextrin vesicles: membrane confinement and host-guest interactions
Authors: Schibilla Frauke , Stegemann Linda , Strassert Cristian A. , Rizzo Fabio , Ravoo Bart Jan
Published: January 2016

Fluorescent ß-cyclodextrin vesicles (ß-CDV) that display host cavities available for host-guest interactions at the vesicle surface were prepared by incorporation of the hydrophobic spirobifluorene-based dye 1 into the membrane of unilamellar vesicles. Fluorescence quenching of dye 1 was observed in the presence of different quenchers. Methyl viologen 2 does not quench dye 1 because it does not bind to ß-CDV. 4-Nitrophenol 3 and 4-nitrophenol covalently connected to adamantane 4 quench the fluorescence of dye 1 in neutral solution, but by different mechanisms according to lifetime measurements. The quenching efficiency of 3 is pH dependent due to the presence of the phenolate form. Competition experiments with excess host and guest showed that 3 is likely to diffuse in and out of the membrane, while 4 forms an inclusion complex with ß-CDV leading to close contact and efficient quenching. Our findings confirm that this dynamic supramolecular system is a versatile model to investigate quenching and recognition processes in bilayer membranes.
Dendrimer-like conjugated microporous polymers
Authors: Qiao Shanlin , Wang Ting , Huang Wei , Jiang Jia-Xing , Du Zhengkun , Shieh Fa-Kuen , Yang Renqiang
Published: January 2016

Dendrimer-like carbazole-based conjugated microporous networks were designed and prepared by oxidative polymerization at room temperature.
Highly crystalline, low band-gap semiconducting polymers based on phenanthrodithiophene-benzothiadiazole for solar cells and transistors
Authors: Mori Hiroki , Nonobe Hikaru , Nishihara Yasushi
Published: January 2016

Newly developed PDT-benzothiadiazole copolymers formed highly-crystalline films in a highly ordered edge-on manner. As a result, fabricated solar cells and transistor devices showed a moderate PCE of ∼3.8% and a high hole mobility of up to 0.18 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Intranasal delivery of asenapine loaded nanostructured lipid carriers: formulation, characterization, pharmacokinetic and behavioural assessment
Authors: Singh Sanjay Kumar , Dadhania Parth , Vuddanda Parameswara Rao , Jain Achint , Velaga Sitaram , Singh Sanjay
Published: January 2016

The aim of the present research work was to develop asenapine (ASM) loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (ANLC) for the delivery of drugs in the brain by an intranasal route to enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Microstructure, electrical properties and temperature stability in Bi0.5Na0.5Zr0.95Ce0.05O3 modified R–T phase boundary of potassium-sodium niobium lead-free ceramics
Authors: Tan Zhi , Xing Jie , Jiang Laiming , Sun Lingguang , Wu Jiagang , Zhang Wen , Xiao Dingquan , Zhu Jianguo
Published: January 2016

(1 − x)K0.48Na0.52Nb0.95Sb0.05O3–xBi0.5Na0.5Zr0.95Ce0.05O3 [(1 − x)KNNS–xBNZC] lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, with doping ratio of x ranging from 0 to 0.05, were synthesized by the conventional solid state sintering method.
Supramolecular based-ligandless ultrasonic assisted-dispersion solidification liquid–liquid microextraction of uranyl ion prior to spectrophotometric determination with dibenzoylmethane
Authors: Shokrollahi Ardeshir , Behrooj Pili Hadi
Published: January 2016

A simple and environmentally friendly method has been developed for preconcentration of uranyl ion by supramolecular based-ligandless ultrasonic assisted-dispersion solidification liquid–liquid microextraction before spectrophotometric detection.
Fabricating binary anti-corrosion structures containing superhydrophobic surfaces and sturdy barrier layers for Al alloys
Authors: Wu Yinghao , Zhao Wenjie , Wang Wurong , Sui Wenjie
Published: January 2016

The synergetic effect between the superhydrophobic surface and the barrier layer of anodic oxidation film make Al alloys show excellent anti-corrosion performance.
Valproic acid analysis by mass spectrometry part I: enhanced determination of valproic acid by microwave assisted chemical labeling
Authors: Wu Chun-Yi , Hsieh Tusty-Jiuan , Tseng Wei-Lung , Keng Chun-Lan , Lu Chi-Yu
Published: January 2016

​Schematic diagram of the proposed method for valproic acid (VA) analysis by MALDI-TOF MS.
A reactive continuous chromatographic process for protein PEGylation
Authors: Ingold Oliver , Pfister David , Morbidelli Massimo
Published: January 2016

A multicolumn process in the form of a twin-column MCSGP unit is fitted with an additional column to perform a on-column protein PEGylation reaction. Thanks to this rMCSGP process, the conjugation reaction is obtained simultaneously with the purification of the products at high yield and high conversion of the protein.
Multi-luminescent switching of metal-free organic phosphors for luminometric detection of organic solvents
Authors: Kwon Min Sang , Jordahl Jake H. , Phillips Andrew W. , Chung Kyeongwoon , Lee Sunjong , Gierschner Johannes , Lahann Joerg , Kim Jinsang
Published: January 2016

Multi-luminescent switching of metal-free organic phosphors and their application for luminometric detection of organic solvents are discussed.
Flat-on ambipolar triphenylamine/C60 nano-stacks formed from the self-organization of a pyramid-sphere-shaped amphiphile
Authors: Liang Wei-Wei , Huang Chi-Feng , Wu Kuan-Yi , Wu San-Lien , Chang Shu-Ting , Cheng Yen-Ju , Wang Chien-Lung
Published: January 2016

The study identified the flat-on dual-channel nano-structure and the ambipolar characteristics of a novel giant pyramid-sphere shape amphiphile.
Design of nitride semiconductors for solar energy conversion
Authors: Zakutayev Andriy
Published: January 2016

Nitride semiconductors have properties suitable for solar energy conversion and can be synthesized using high-energy precursors.
High performance PEDOT/lignin biopolymer composites for electrochemical supercapacitors
Authors: Ajjan F. N. , Casado N. , Rębiś T. , Elfwing A. , Solin N. , Mecerreyes D. , Inganäs O.
Published: January 2016

Developing sustainable organic electrode materials for energy storage applications is an urgent task.
Metabolizable dopamine-coated gold nanoparticle aggregates: preparation, characteristics, computed tomography imaging, acute toxicity, and metabolism in vivo
Authors: Yu Yao , Wu Youshen , Liu Jiajun , Li Ke , Wu Daocheng
Published: January 2016

We prepared metabolizable MSA AuNPs@DPA aggregates, which exhibit improved CT imaging results, much lower toxicity and much longer circulation time in vivo.
Simultaneous enhancement in open circuit voltage and short circuit current of hybrid organic–inorganic photovoltaics by inorganic interfacial modification
Authors: Hofstetter Yvonne J. , Hopkinson Paul E. , Bakulin Artem A. , Vaynzof Yana
Published: January 2016

Here, we investigate the model poly(3-hexathiophene)/ZnO system and show that by introducing a caesium carbonate interlayer, a simultaneous increase in all photovoltaic parameters can be achieved.
Enhanced sensing in mixed porous–solid photonic stacks
Authors: Nimens Wendy J. , Whittaker-Brooks Luisa , Bartl Michael H.
Published: January 2016

A mix-and-match sol–gel deposition method allows fabrication of one-dimensional photonic bandgap materials with strategically placed porous layers.
Multilingual Aphasia: An Unresolved Puzzle in the Linguistic Mosaic of India
Authors: Sebastian Daly
Published: January 2016

Multilingualism is an inherent part of the pluralistic nation of India, where linguistic diversity is large and heterogeneous. There are various contributing factors for this multilingual mosaic. Multilingual aphasia in the context of Indian cultures and languages has not been explored properly due to various reasons. Issues and challenges are present in both clinical and research domains. Tools for documenting deficits, language selection for treatment, and outcome measurement are the major issues in the clinical domain. Research issues are associated with the development of assessment tools, cognitive and neurological aspects in multilingual aphasia, and normal aspects of multilingualism. A collaborative approach is required to address these issues. The present paper is an attempt to focus on current issues and possible solutions for multilingual aphasia in India.
Let’s Get Free: Social Work and the Movement for Black Lives
Authors: COPELAND PHILLIPE
Published: January 2016

Throughout its history, social work has shaped and been shaped by social movements. What might #BlackLivesMatter mean for 21st century social work and what might social work mean for the Movement? This paper describes the Movement and applies insights from Young’s 1965 essay ‘‘Civil Rights and a Militant Profession’’to identify a set of questions for social workers to explore. These include questions about making alliances and contributing competencies, overcoming apathy, misconceptions and exploitation, and fulfilling the obligations of clinical practice for social justice.