bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40/DnaJB1) promotes influenza A virus replication by assisting nuclear import of viral ribonucleoproteins
Authors: Batra Jyoti , Tripathi Shashank , Kumar Amrita , Katz Jacqueline M. , Cox Nancy J. , Lal Renu B. , Sambhara Suryaprakash , Lal Sunil K.
Published: January 2016

A unique feature of influenza A virus (IAV) life cycle is replication of the viral genome in the host cell nucleus. The nuclear import of IAV genome is an indispensable step in establishing virus infection. IAV nucleoprotein (NP) is known to mediate the nuclear import of viral genome via its nuclear localization signals. Here, we demonstrate that cellular heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40/DnaJB1) facilitates the nuclear import of incoming IAV viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) and is important for efficient IAV replication. Hsp40 was found to interact with NP component of IAV RNPs during early stages of infection. This interaction is mediated by the J domain of Hsp40 and N-terminal region of NP. Drug or RNAi mediated inhibition of Hsp40 resulted in reduced nuclear import of IAV RNPs, diminished viral polymerase function and attenuates overall viral replication. Hsp40 was also found to be required for efficient association between NP and importin alpha, which is crucial for IAV RNP nuclear translocation. These studies demonstrate an important role for cellular chaperone Hsp40/DnaJB1 in influenza A virus life cycle by assisting nuclear trafficking of viral ribonucleoproteins.
Changes in pathogenicity and immunogenicity of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides strains revealed by comparative genomics analysis
Authors: Li Yuan , Wang Yang , Wang Rui , Zhu Yongqiang , Liu Suli , Wang Qi , Shao Jiari , Chen Ying , Gao Liping , Zhou Changping , Liu Henggui , Wang Xiumei , Zheng Huajun , Xin Jiuqing
Published: January 2016

Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides is the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. A pathogenic strain BEN-1 was isolated from bovine lung and underwent continuous passages in rabbits for 468 generations. During this process, the strain’s strong virulence became weak and, gradually, it lost the ability to confer protective immunity in cattle but developed virulence in rabbits. In order to gain insight into the mechanisms behind the reduction in virulence and the loss of immunogenicity, we sequenced five representative strains of the BEN series, including the original strain (BEN-1), the strain generation that first acquired virulence in rabbits (BEN-50), the two vaccine strain generations (BEN-181 and BEN-326) and the strain generation showing the greatest loss of immunogenicity (BEN-468). The gene mutation rate in the four different propagation stages varied greatly and over half of variations observed in each generation were removed during the propagation process. However, the variation maintained in the BEN-468 generation might contribute to its changes in virulence and immunogenicity. We thus identified 18 genes associated with host adaptation, six genes contributing to virulence in cattle and 35 genes participating in conferring immunity in cattle. These findings might help us optimize the vaccine to obtain more effective immunization results.
CUL2-mediated clearance of misfolded TDP-43 is paradoxically affected by VHL in oligodendrocytes in ALS
Authors: Uchida Tsukasa , Tamaki Yoshitaka , Ayaki Takashi , Shodai Akemi , Kaji Seiji , Morimura Toshifumi , Banno Yoshinori , Nishitsuji Kazuchika , Sakashita Naomi , Maki Takakuni , Yamashita Hirofumi , Ito Hidefumi , Takahashi Ryosuke , Urushitani Makoto
Published: January 2016

The molecular machinery responsible for cytosolic accumulation of misfolded TDP-43 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains elusive. Here we identified a cullin-2 (CUL2) RING complex as a novel ubiquitin ligase for fragmented forms of TDP-43. The von Hippel Lindau protein (VHL), a substrate binding component of the complex, preferentially recognized misfolded TDP-43 at Glu246 in RNA-recognition motif 2. Recombinant full-length TDP-43 was structurally fragile and readily cleaved, suggesting that misfolded TDP-43 is cleared by VHL/CUL2 in a step-wise manner via fragmentation. Surprisingly, excess VHL stabilized and led to inclusion formation of TDP-43, as well as mutant SOD1, at the juxtanuclear protein quality control center. Moreover, TDP-43 knockdown elevated VHL expression in cultured cells, implying an aberrant interaction between VHL and mislocalized TDP-43 in ALS. Finally, cytoplasmic inclusions especially in oligodendrocytes in ALS spinal cords were immunoreactive to both phosphorylated TDP-43 and VHL. Thus, our results suggest that an imbalance in VHL and CUL2 may underlie oligodendrocyte dysfunction in ALS and highlight CUL2 E3 ligase emerges as a novel therapeutic potential for ALS.
Multi-decadal trends in global terrestrial evapotranspiration and its components
Authors: Zhang Yongqiang , Peña-Arancibia Jorge L. , McVicar Tim R. , Chiew Francis H. S. , Vaze Jai , Liu Changming , Lu Xingjie , Zheng Hongxing , Wang Yingping , Liu Yi Y. , Miralles Diego G. , Pan Ming
Published: January 2016

Evapotranspiration (ET) is the process by which liquid water becomes water vapor and energetically this accounts for much of incoming solar radiation. If this ET did not occur temperatures would be higher, so understanding ET trends is crucial to predict future temperatures. Recent studies have reported prolonged declines in ET in recent decades, although these declines may relate to climate variability. Here, we used a well-validated diagnostic model to estimate daily ET during 1981–2012 and its three components: transpiration from vegetation (Et), direct evaporation from the soil (Es) and vaporization of intercepted rainfall from vegetation (Ei). During this period, ET over land has increased significantly (p < 0.01), caused by increases in Et and Ei, which are partially counteracted by Es decreasing. These contrasting trends are primarily driven by increases in vegetation leaf area index, dominated by greening. The overall increase in Et over land is about twofold of the decrease in Es. These opposing trends are not simulated by most Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) models and highlight the importance of realistically representing vegetation changes in earth system models for predicting future changes in the energy and water cycle.
Astragaloside IV inhibits microglia activation via glucocorticoid receptor mediated signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Hong-Shuai , Shi Hai-Lian , Huang Fei , Peterson Karin E. , Wu Hui , Lan Yun-Yi , Zhang Bei-Bei , He Yi-Xin , Woods Tyson , Du Min , Wu Xiao-Jun , Wang Zheng-Tao
Published: January 2016

Inhibition of microglia activation may provide therapeutic treatment for many neurodegenerative diseases. Astragaloside IV (ASI) with anti-inflammatory properties has been tested as a therapeutic drug in clinical trials of China. However, the mechanism of ASI inhibiting neuroinflammation is unknown. In this study, we showed that ASI inhibited microglia activation both in vivo and in vitro. It could enhance glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-luciferase activity and facilitate GR nuclear translocation in microglial cells. Molecular docking and TR-FRET GR competitive binding experiments demonstrated that ASI could bind to GR in spite of relative low affinity. Meanwhile, ASI modulated GR-mediated signaling pathway, including dephosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, I κB and NF κB, therefore, decreased downstream production of proinflammatory mediators. Suppression of microglial BV-2 activation by ASI was abrogated by GR inhibitor, RU486 or GR siRNA. Similarly, RU486 counteracted the alleviative effect of ASI on microgliosis and neuronal injury in vivo. Our findings demonstrated that ASI inhibited microglia activation at least partially by activating the glucocorticoid pathway, suggesting its possible therapeutic potential for neuroinflammation in neurological diseases.
Identification of a small molecule that simultaneously suppresses virulence and antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Guo Qiaoyun , Wei Yu , Xia Bin , Jin Yongxin , Liu Chang , Pan Xiaolei , Shi Jing , Zhu Feng , Li Jinlong , Qian Lei , Liu Xinqi , Cheng Zhihui , Jin Shouguang , Lin Jianping , Wu Weihui
Published: January 2016

The rising antibiotic resistance of bacteria imposes a severe threat on human health. Inhibition of bacterial virulence is an alternative approach to develop new antimicrobials. Molecules targeting antibiotic resistant enzymes have been used in combination with cognate antibiotics. It might be ideal that a molecule can simultaneously suppress virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Here we combined genetic and computer-aided inhibitor screening to search for such molecules against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To identify target proteins that control both virulence and antibiotic resistance, we screened for mutants with defective cytotoxicity and biofilm formation from 93 transposon insertion mutants previously reported with increased antibiotic susceptibility. A pyrD mutant displayed defects in cytotoxicity, biofilm formation, quorum sensing and virulence in an acute mouse pneumonia model. Next, we employed a computer-aided screening to identify potential inhibitors of the PyrD protein, a dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODase) involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis. One of the predicted inhibitors was able to suppress the enzymatic activity of PyrD as well as bacterial cytotoxicity, biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. A single administration of the compound reduced the bacterial colonization in the acute mouse pneumonia model. Therefore, we have developed a strategy to identify novel treatment targets and antimicrobial molecules.
Strong reproductive isolation despite occasional hybridization between a widely distributed and a narrow endemic Rhododendron species
Authors: Ma Yong-Peng , Xie Wei-Jia , Sun Wei-Bang , Marczewski Tobias
Published: January 2016

Reproductive isolation (RI) plays an important role for speciation, but assessing reproductive barriers at all life-cycle stages remains challenging. In plants, most studies addressing the topic have been focusing on herbs with short generation times. The present study attempted to quantify several reproductive barriers between a hybridizing species pair of long-lived woody rhododendrons. Consistent with findings of previous studies, pre-zygotic reproductive barriers contributed more to total RI than post-zygotic reproductive barriers. Especially in the more widespread species geographic isolation was an important barrier and pollinator constancy contributed exceptionally to RI in both species. Additionally to strong pre-zygotic reproductive barriers, post-zygotic reproductive barriers were considerable and had asymmetric tendencies favoring one of the species as maternal parent. Overall, despite occasional hybridization, the present study provides evidence for strong RI between R. cyanocarpum and R. delavayi.
Control of Surface Segregation in Bimetallic NiCr Nanoalloys Immersed in Ag Matrix
Authors: Bohra Murtaza , Singh Vidyadhar , Grammatikopoulos Panagiotis , Toulkeridou Evropi , Diaz Rosa E. , Bobo Jean-François , Sowwan Mukhles
Published: January 2016

Cr-surface segregation is a main roadblock encumbering many magneto-biomedical applications of bimetallic M-Cr nanoalloys (where M = Fe, Co and Ni). To overcome this problem, we developed Ni95Cr5:Ag nanocomposite as a model system, consisting of non-interacting Ni95Cr5 nanoalloys (5 ± 1 nm) immersed in non-magnetic Ag matrix by controlled simultaneous co-sputtering of Ni95Cr5 and Ag. We employed Curie temperature (TC) as an indicator of phase purity check of these nanocomposites, which is estimated to be around the bulk Ni95Cr5 value of 320 K. This confirms prevention of Cr-segregation and also entails effective control of surface oxidation. Compared to Cr-segregated Ni95Cr5 nanoalloy films and nanoclusters, we did not observe any unwanted magnetic effects such as presence Cr-antiferromagnetic transition, large non-saturation, exchange bias behavior (if any) or uncompensated higher TC values. These nanocomposites films also lose their unique magnetic properties only at elevated temperatures beyond application requirements (≥800 K), either by showing Ni-type behavior or by a complete conversion into Ni/Cr-oxides in vacuum and air environment, respectively.
Intracoronary Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Overexpressed Integrin-Linked Kinase Improves Cardiac Function in Porcine Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Mu Dan , Zhang Xin-Lin , Xie Jun , Yuan Hui-Hua , Wang Kun , Huang Wei , Li Guan-Nan , Lu Jian-Rong , Mao Li-Juan , Wang Lian , Cheng Le , Mai Xiao-Li , Yang Jun , Tian Chuan-Shuai , Kang Li-Na , Gu Rong , Zhu Bin , Xu Biao
Published: January 2016

The effect of mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs)-based therapy on treating acute myocardial infarction (MI) is limited due to poor engraftment and limited regenerative potential. Here we engineered MSCs with integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a pleiotropic protein critically regulating cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and angiogenesis. We firstly combined ferumoxytol with poly-L-lysine (PLL) and found this combination promisingly enabled MRI visualization of MSCs in vitro and in vivo with good safety. We provided visually direct evidence that intracoronary ILK-MSCs had substantially enhanced homing capacity to infarct myocardium in porcine following cardiac catheterization induced MI. Intracoronary transplantation of allogeneic ILK-MSCs, but not vector-MSCs, significantly enhanced global left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by 7.8% compared with baseline, by 10.3% compared with vehicles and inhibited myocardial remodeling compared with vehicles at 15-day follow-up. Compared with vector-MSCs, ILK-MSCs significantly improved regional LV contractile function, reduced scar size, fibrosis, cell apoptosis and increased regional myocardial perfusion and cell proliferation. This preclinical study indicates that ILK-engineered MSCs might promote the clinical translation of MSC-based therapy in post-MI patients and provides evidence that ferumoxytol labeling of cells combined with PLL is feasible in in vivo cell tracking.
Large Omnivore Movements in Response to Surface Mining and Mine Reclamation
Authors: Cristescu Bogdan , Stenhouse Gordon B. , Boyce Mark S.
Published: January 2016

Increasing global demands have resulted in widespread proliferation of resource extraction. Scientists are challenged to develop environmental mitigation strategies that meet societal expectations of resource supply, while achieving minimal disruption to sensitive “wilderness” species. We used GPS collar data from a 9-year study on grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) (n = 18) in Alberta, Canada to assess movements and associated space use during versus after mining. Grizzly bear home range overlap with mined areas was lower during active mining except for females with cubs, that also had shortest movements on active mines. However, both females with cubs and males made shorter steps when on/close to mines following mine closure and reclamation. Our results show differences in bear movement and space-use strategies, with individuals from a key population segment (females with cubs) appearing most adaptable to mining disturbance. Preserving patches of original habitat, reclaiming the landscape and minimizing the risk of direct human-induced mortality during and after development can help conserve bears and other wildlife on industrially modified landscapes.
Vortex-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the determination of molybdenum in plants by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
Authors: Barros Juan A. V. A. , Aguirre Miguel Ángel , Kovachev Nikolay , Canals Antonio , Nóbrega Joaquim A.
Published: January 2016

A new procedure for determining trace concentrations of Mo in plants, combining VA-DLLME and ICP-OES, is proposed here.
pH-controlled sensitive and selective detection of Cr(iii) and Mn(ii) by using clove (S. aromaticum) reduced and stabilized silver nanospheres
Authors: Joshi Priyanka , Nair Manjula , Kumar Dinesh
Published: January 2016

The colorimetric detection of Cr(iii) and Mn(ii) ions based on silver nanospheres (SNSs).
Low-temperature fabrication of brown TiO2 with enhanced photocatalytic activities under visible light
Authors: Wang Mingzheng , Nie Biao , Yee Ka-Kit , Bian Haidong , Lee Chris , Lee Hung Kay , Zheng Bo , Lu Jian , Luo Linbao , Li Yang Yang
Published: January 2016

Brown-colored TiO2 with the absorption edge in red light was fabricated using a facile one-step treatment in NaH solutions.
Enhancing electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution by nickel salicylaldimine complexes with alkali metal cations in aqueous media
Authors: Shao Haiyan , Muduli Subas K. , Tran Phong D. , Soo Han Sen
Published: January 2016

The pendant, chelating ethers in the second coordination sphere of nickel salicylaldimine complexes bind alkali metals to promote hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis.
FeP and FeP2nanowires for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Son Chang Yong , Kwak In Hye , Lim Young Rok , Park Jeunghee
Published: January 2016

FeP and FeP2nanowires exhibit excellent electrocatalytic abilities toward hydrogen evolution from water splitting.
Reversible photoisomerization of azobenzene molecules on a single gold nanoparticle surface
Authors: Song Heng , Jing Chao , Ma Wei , Xie Tao , Long Yi-Tao
Published: January 2016

PRRS spectra of single gold nanoparticles show a reversible shift towards the photoswitchable reaction, which could be verified by DDA simulations.
Adsorption and separation of binary and ternary mixtures of SO2, CO2 and N2 by ordered carbon nanotube arrays: grand-canonical Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Rahimi Mahshid , Singh Jayant K. , Müller-Plathe Florian
Published: January 2016

The selectivity value is found here to range from 4 to 16, indicating that the optimization of pore size tuning can increase it by 4 times.
Competition between H2O and (H2O)2 reactions with CH2OO/CH3CHOO
Authors: Lin Liang-Chun , Chang Hung-Tzu , Chang Chien-Hsun , Chao Wen , Smith Mica C. , Chang Chun-Hung , Jr-Min Lin Jim , Takahashi Kaito
Published: January 2016

We calculated the bimolecular rate coefficients for the CH2OO/CH3CHOO reactions with H2O/(H2O)2.
A computational study of the mechanistic insights into base catalysed synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2: bicarbonate anion as an active species
Authors: Roshan Kuruppathparambil Roshith , Palissery Revi Achuthan , Kathalikkattil Amal Cherian , Babu Robin , Mathai George , Lee Hwa-Soo , Park Dae-Won
Published: January 2016

The role of the bicarbonate ion as a catalyst species in CO2fixationviacyclic carbonate synthesis is investigated.
Regioselectivity in palladium-catalysed direct arylation of 5-membered ring heteroaromatics
Authors: Bheeter Charles Beromeo , Chen Lu , Soulé Jean-François , Doucet Henri
Published: January 2016

In the past few years, several results using modified catalysts and new reaction conditions have been reported permitting better control of the regioselectivity of Pd-catalysed arylations.
Hydrothermal synthesis as a route to mineralogically-inspired structures
Authors: McMillen Colin D. , Kolis Joseph W.
Published: January 2016

Mineralogically-inspired hydrothermal synthesis provides a wealth of interesting opportunities for the solid-state inorganic chemist.
Aminophobanes: hydrolytic stability, tautomerism and application in Cr-catalysed ethene oligomerisation
Authors: Haddow Mairi F. , Jaltai Judit , Hanton Martin , Pringle Paul G. , Rush Laura E. , Sparkes Hazel A. , Woodall Christopher H.
Published: January 2016

The bicyclic aminophobanes have significantly different chemistry from their acyclic analogues Cy2PNHR′.
Enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance of ZnO nanowires integrated with CdS and Ag2S
Authors: Chen Chienhua , Li Zhengcao , Lin Hehnan , Wang Guojing , Liao Jiecui , Li Mingyang , Lv Shasha , Li Wei
Published: January 2016

We have used simple and low cost methods to synthesize ZnO–CdS–Ag2S nanostructures with an effective visible light photocatalytic activity.
Different effects of plant-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) and urea on the priming of soil organic carbon
Authors: Qiu Qingyan , Wu Lanfang , Ouyang Zhu , Li Binbin , Xu Yanyan
Published: January 2016

Plant-derived dissolved organic matter, a complex labile substrate, was used to investigate its effect on SOC priming and sequestration.
High spatial resolution (1.1 μm and 20 nm) FTIR polarization contrast imaging reveals pre-rupture disorder in damaged tendon
Authors: Wiens Richard , Findlay Catherine R. , Baldwin Samuel G. , Kreplak Laurent , Lee J. Michael , Veres Samuel P. , Gough Kathleen M.
Published: January 2016

Collagen is a major constituent in many life forms; in mammals, collagen appears as a component of skin, bone, tendon and cartilage, where it performs critical functions. Vibrational spectroscopy methods are excellent for studying the structure and function of collagen-containing tissues, as they provide molecular insight into composition and organization. The latter is particularly important for collagenous materials, given that a key feature is their hierarchical, oriented structure, organized from molecular to macroscopic length scales. Here, we present the first results of high-resolution FTIR polarization contrast imaging, at 1.1 μm and 20 nm scales, on control and mechanically damaged tendon. The spectroscopic data are supported with parallel SEM and correlated AFM imaging. Our goal is to explore the changes induced in tendon after the application of damaging mechanical stress, and the consequences for the healing processes. The results and possibilities for the application of these high-spatial-resolution FTIR techniques in spectral pathology, and eventually in clinical applications, are discussed.
Tyrosine hydroxylase regulation in adult rat striatum following short-term neonatal exposure to manganese
Authors: Peres Tanara V. , Ong Lin K. , Costa Ana Paula , Eyng Helena , Venske Débora K. R. , Colle Dirleise , Gonçalves Filipe M. , Lopes Mark W. , Farina Marcelo , Aschner Michael , Dickson Phillip W. , Dunkley Peter R. , Leal Rodrigo B.
Published: January 2016

Mn induces short- and long-term alterations on striatal tyrosine hydroxylase levels and phosphorylation in rats.
Thermo-responsive adsorption and separation of amino acid enantiomers using smart polymer-brush-modified magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Song Ya-Ya , Song Xiao-Dong , Yuan Heng , Cheng Chang-Jing
Published: January 2016

A novel type of multifunctional magnetic nanoparticle with highly chiral recognition capability, excellent thermo-sensitive adsorption and decomplexation properties toward amino acid enantiomers, and recyclability was developed in this study.
Magnetically actuated tissue engineered scaffold: insights into mechanism of physical stimulation
Authors: Sapir-Lekhovitser Yulia , Rotenberg Menahem Y. , Jopp Juergen , Friedman Gary , Polyak Boris , Cohen Smadar
Published: January 2016

Magnetic alginate scaffolds exposed to a time-varying uniform magnetic field reversibly deform to generate bending (Fb)/stretching (Fs) forces that may exert mechanical effects on cells.
Salinity gradient power: influences of temperature and nanopore size
Authors: Tseng Shiojenn , Li Yu-Ming , Lin Chih-Yuan , Hsu Jyh-Ping
Published: January 2016

Harvesting electrical energy by nanofluidic reverse electrodialysis.
Assembling patchy nanorods with spheres: limitations imposed by colloidal interactions
Authors: Pothorszky Sz. , Zámbó D. , Deák T. , Deák A.
Published: January 2016

Colloidal interactions can modify the site-specific directed assembly of spherical particles and patchy nanorods.
Protein source and choice of anticoagulant decisively affect nanoparticle protein corona and cellular uptake
Authors: Schöttler S. , Klein Katja , Landfester K. , Mailänder V.
Published: January 2016

Protein corona investigations use different protein sources. Outcome of investigations is crucial. Human plasma seems to be a better choice than serum from animals or also human.
Intrinsic fluorescence of selenium nanoparticles for cellular imaging applications
Authors: Khalid A. , Tran Phong A. , Norello Romina , Simpson David A. , O'Connor Andrea J. , Tomljenovic-Hanic Snjezana
Published: January 2016

(a) Microscopic image of selenium nanoparticles uptaken by the fibroblast cells. (b) Intrinsic fluorescence of the particles exploited for in vitro imaging.
Iodine(iii)-mediated oxidative intramolecular arene–alkene coupling exemplified in the synthesis of phenanthrenes
Authors: Depken Christian , Krätzschmar Felix , Breder Alexander
Published: January 2016

A novel iodine(iii)-mediated synthesis of substituted phenanthrenes from ortho-vinylated biaryl derivatives through 6-endo-trig selective oxidative intramolecular arene–alkene coupling is reported.
Phenyl-guanidine derivatives as potential therapeutic agents for glioblastoma multiforme: catalytic syntheses, cytotoxic effects and DNA affinity
Authors: Bravo I. , Alonso-Moreno C. , Posadas I. , Albaladejo J. , Carrillo-Hermosilla F. , Ceña V. , Garzón A. , López-Solera I. , Romero-Castillo L.
Published: January 2016

Glioblastoma is a highly malignant form of brain tumor. In the work described here, several substituted phenyl-guanidine derivatives were developed for application in glioblastoma treatment.
Detection, quantification, and profiling of PSA: current microarray technologies and future directions
Authors: Sonawane Mukesh Digambar , Nimse Satish Balasaheb , Song Keum-Soo , Kim Taisun
Published: January 2016

The death rate of 13% among the men diagnosed with prostate cancer makes it a second leading cause of cancer death. This critical review evaluates DNA and protein microarray based methods for detection, quantification, and profiling of PSA.
Nanocomposite polymer electrolytes based on poly(poly(ethylene glycol)methacrylate), MMT or ZSM-5 formulated with LiTFSI and PYR11TFSI for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Cardoso J. , Mayrén A. , Romero-Ibarra I. C. , Nava D. P. , Vazquez-Arenas J.
Published: January 2016

Novel poly(poly(ethylenglycol)methacrylate) nanocomposite electrolytes based on montmorillonite and zeolite; and functionalized with LiTFSI and PYR11TFSI are synthetized for Li-ion batteries.
A MSCs-laden polycaprolactone/collagen scaffold for bone tissue regeneration
Authors: Jang Chul Ho , Ahn Seung Hyun , Yang Gi-Hoon , Kim Geun Hyung
Published: January 2016

A mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-laden scaffold was designed for use in mastoid obliteration.
Sinter-resistant gold nanoparticles encapsulated by zeolite nanoshell for oxidation of cyclohexane
Authors: Saxena Shilpi , Singh Rupesh , Pala Raj Ganesh S. , Sivakumar Sri
Published: January 2016

We report hydrothermal synthesis of sinter-resistant gold nanoparticle encapsulated by zeolite shells, which serve the role of stabilizing Au nanoparticles against sintering during cyclohexane oxidation.
Nanostructured conducting molecularly imprinted polypyrrole based quartz crystal microbalance sensor for naproxen determination and its electrochemical impedance study
Authors: Eslami Mohammad Reza , Alizadeh Naader
Published: January 2016

The overall process of preparation and sensing mechanism of naproxen (NAP) sensor.
Precision microfilters as an all in one system for multiplex analysis of circulating tumor cells
Authors: Adams Daniel L. , Alpaugh R. Katherine , Martin Stuart S. , Charpentier Monica , Chumsri Saranya , Cristofanilli Massimo , Adams Diane K. , Makarova Olga V. , Zhu Peixuan , Li Shuhong , Tang Cha-Mei , Stefansson Steingrimur
Published: January 2016

An all-in-one Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) isolation platform with streamlined multiplex integration of proteomic and genomic clinical testing.
A thermally remendable and reprocessable crosslinked methyl methacrylate polymer based on oxygen insensitive dynamic reversible C–ON bonds
Authors: Zhang Ze Ping , Lu Yan , Rong Min Zhi , Zhang Ming Qiu
Published: January 2016

A strategy for developing self-healing crosslinked polymer with alkoxyamine is proposed, which ensures air resistance even at higher homolysis temperature.
A facile approach to control metal superstructure architecture with organic thin films
Authors: Yang Yanqiong , Yu Feng , Huang Lin , Ren Chen Zhong
Published: January 2016

Three-dimensional and morphology-tunable superstructures were produced by engineering the interactions among functional groups in organic thin films, adsorbed precursors and the formed metal nanoparticles.
Mild and ambient annulations for pyrrole synthesis from amines and arylacetaldehydes
Authors: Huang Huawen , Tang Lichang , Cai Jinhui , Deng Guo-Jun
Published: January 2016

A mild and ambient pyrrole synthesis via copper-catalyzed aerobic cyclization is described.
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence of the tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(ii)/aliphatic amine system: a universal effect of perchlorate salts
Authors: Czioska Steffen , Chen Zuofeng
Published: January 2016

Simply adding perchlorate salts leads to enhanced Ru(bpy)32+ECL emission of different pathways by 1.5–6.6 times with a variety of aliphatic amines as coreactants in a wide pH range from pH 5 to 12.
An effective coupling of nanostructured Si and gel polymer electrolytes for high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes
Authors: Bok Taesoo , Cho Sung-Ju , Choi Sinho , Choi Keun-Ho , Park Hyungmin , Lee Sang-Young , Park Soojin
Published: January 2016

We demonstrate the convergence of various Si structures and gel-polymer electrolyte for high-performance Si-based battery anodes. It exhibits superior cycling stability and a half of volume expansion compared to liquid electrolyte cell.
Vibrational analysis and chemical activity of paracetamol–oxalic acid cocrystal based on monomer and dimer calculations: DFT and AIM approach
Authors: Srivastava Karnica , Shimpi Manishkumar R. , Srivastava Anubha , Tandon Poonam , Sinha Kirti , Velaga Sitaram P.
Published: January 2016

Hydrogen bonding network present in monomer and dimer + 2OXA models of cocrystal.
Synthesis of nitrate ester and nitramine derivatives of polyfluoro alkyl compounds for high energy materials
Authors: Srinivas Dharavath , Ghule Vikas D.
Published: January 2016

Five new poly-fluorine containing molecules were synthesized from economical and commercially available materials for high energy material applications by straightforward routes.
Spherical CuO superstructures originating from hierarchical malachite microspheres by different post-treatment routes: a comparison study of the morphology and the catalytic property
Authors: Zhang Yuxing , Ni Yonghong , Ye Shiyong
Published: January 2016

Spherical CuO superstructures were obtained by employing freshly-produced hierarchical malachite microspheres as the precursor in two different post-treatment approaches.
Highly tough and puncture resistant hydrogels driven by macromolecular microspheres
Authors: Ren Xiu Yan , Yu Zhe , Liu Baijun , Liu Xue Jiao , Wang Ya Jun , Su Qiang , Gao Guang Hui
Published: January 2016

Traditional hydrogels with poor mechanical properties have the largest barrier for extensive practical applications, such as artificial tendons, cartilage, skin and so on.
Mechanistic outlook on thermal degradation of 1,3-dialkyl imidazolium ionic liquids and organoclays
Authors: Thomas Eapen , Thomas Deepthi , Vijayalakshmi Kunduchi Periya , George Benny Kattikkanal
Published: January 2016

Thermal decomposition of ionic liquid modified sodium montmorillonite clay proceed through an imidazole-2-ylidene (carbene) mediated mechanism with an activation energy of 195.6 kJ mol−1.
Structure–activity relationship study of cationic carbosilane dendritic systems as antibacterial agents
Authors: Fuentes-Paniagua Elena , Sánchez-Nieves Javier , Hernández-Ros José M. , Fernández-Ezequiel Alba , Soliveri Juan , Copa-Patiño José L. , Gómez Rafael , Javier de la Mata F.
Published: January 2016

The bactericidal activity of a library of cationic dendritic systems depends on the hydrophilic/hydrophobic structural balance, being the presence of a sulfur atom proximal to the peripheral ammonium functions of relevance.
Acid-amplifying microcapsules: preparation, characterization, and application to cationic UV curing
Authors: Arimitsu K. , Amano S. , Furutani M.
Published: January 2016

Microcapsules containing photoacid generators and acid amplifiers have been prepared using a liquid-drying method. The acid-amplifying microcapsules were applied to a cationic UV curing system of an epoxy resin using a 313 nm light source.
MnO2 nanotubes with graphene-assistance as low-cost counter-electrode materials in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Jin Peng , Zhang Xiao , Zhen Mengmeng , Wang Junfeng
Published: January 2016

The MnO2 + 6 wt% rGO counter electrode exhibits a higher conversion efficiency than the Pt counter electrode.
Nitrogen-enriched, ordered mesoporous carbons for potential electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Zhu Jinhui , Yang Jun , Miao Rongrong , Yao Zhaoquan , Zhuang Xiaodong , Feng Xinliang
Published: January 2016

A solvent-free ball-milling method to prepare rich nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbons with excellent electrochemical energy storage performance.
Triconstituent co-assembly synthesis of N,S-doped carbon–silica nanospheres with smooth and rough surfaces
Authors: Tian Hao , Saunders Martin , Dodd Aaron , O'Donnell Kane , Jaroniec Mietek , Liu Shaomin , Liu Jian
Published: January 2016

This paper reports a facile synthesis of N,S-doped carbon–silica nanospheres with smooth and rough surfaces by using an extended Stöber method.
Synthesis of mesoporous materials as nano-carriers for an antimalarial drug
Authors: Amolegbe Saliu Alao , Ohmagari Hitomi , Wakata Kosuke , Takehira Hiroshi , Ohtani Ryo , Nakamura Masaaki , Yu Chengzhong , Hayami Shinya
Published: January 2016

An antimalarial drug artesunate (ATS) was encapsulated in both functionalized MCM-41 and ordinary MCM-41 with an excellent loading capacity and sustained release behavior for possible biomedical applications.
Enhanced field emission of Au nanoparticle-decorated SiC nanowires
Authors: Chen Qiang , Chen Shanliang , Gao Fengmei , Wang Lin , Xie Zhipeng , Yang Weiyou
Published: January 2016

We reported Au nanoparticle decorated SiC nanowire field emitters with enhanced Eto and β of 1.14 V μm−1 and 6244 ± 50, respectively.
Gender-specific medicine in the genomic era
Authors: Legato Marianne J.
Published: January 2016

This article is intended to illuminate several important changes in our concept of gender-specific medicine in the genomic era. It reviews the history of gender-specific medicine, pointing out the changes in our perception of the nature of biological sex and our expanding knowledge of how it affects the phenotype. The old debate about ‘nature versus nurture’ is now largely resolved; the two are inextricably intertwined as a result of epigenomic regulation of gene expression; many of the resulting phenotypic changes are inherited and affect future generations. More accurate, rapid and cheaper methods of editing genomic composition are implementing a more sophisticated understanding of how genes function and how individual components of the genome might be added or eliminated to maintain health and prevent disease. As Venter predicted, the new discipline of synthetic biology, based on the creation and use of novel ‘designer’ chromosomes is an inevitable expansion of our ability to decipher the naturally occurring genome and the factors that control its expression. As we move with unexpected and stunning rapidity into our exploration and manipulation of the genetic code, our investigations must acknowledge the solidly established fact that biological sex will have a profound impact on the interventions we have made and will make in the future. Unfortunately, in spite of the recent urging of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that sex be included as an essential variable in all levels of scientific investigation, genuine issues remain to be resolved before all scientists accept not only the importance of doing this, but also how to implement it.
Two‐stage iterative design for fast filter bank with low complexity
Authors: Hao Jinguang , Pei Wenjiang , Wang Kai , Xia Yili
Published: January 2016

A two‐stage iterative method is proposed to design prototype filters for a fast filter bank with low complexity, which is aimed at controlling the optimum ripple magnitude tolerance of each filter according to the overall specifications. This problem is formulated as an optimisation problem for which the total number of multiplications is to be minimised subject to the constrained ripple in the passband and stopband. A two‐stage iterative solution is proposed to solve this optimisation problem for the purpose of obtaining impulse response coefficients with low complexity at each stage. Simulations have been conducted to verify the performance of the proposed scheme and show that compared with the original method the proposed scheme can reduce the number of multiplications by about 20.02%.
A theoretical investigation of the influence of gold nanosphere size on the decay and energy transfer rates and efficiencies of quantum emitters
Authors: Marocico Cristian A. , Zhang Xia , Bradley A. Louise
Published: January 2016

We present in this contribution a comprehensive investigation of the effect of the size of gold nanospheres on the decay and energy transfer rates of quantum systems placed close to these nanospheres. These phenomena have been investigated before, theoretically and experimentally, but no comprehensive study of the influence of the nanoparticle size on important dependences of the decay and energy transfer rates, such as the dependence on the donor-acceptor spectral overlap and the relative positions of the donor, acceptor, and nanoparticle, exists. As such, different accounts of the energy transfer mechanism have been presented in the literature. We perform an investigation of the energy transfer mechanisms between emitters and gold nanospheres and between donor-acceptor pairs in the presence of the gold nanospheres using a Green’s tensor formalism, experimentally verified in our lab. We find that the energy transfer rate to small nanospheres is greatly enhanced, leading to a strong quenching of the emission of the emitter. When the nanosphere size is increased, it acts as an antenna, increasing the emission of the emitter. We also investigate the emission wavelength and intrinsic quantum yield dependence of the energy transfer to the nanosphere. As evidenced from the literature, the energy transfer process between the quantum system and the nanosphere can have a complicated distance dependence, with a r−6 regime, characteristic of the Förster energy transfer mechanism, but also exhibiting other distance dependences. In the case of a donor-acceptor pair of quantum systems in the presence of a gold nanosphere, when the donor couples strongly to the nanosphere, acting as an enhanced dipole; the donor-acceptor energy transfer rate then follows a Förster trend, with an increased Förster radius. The coupling of the acceptor to the nanosphere has a different distance dependence. The angular dependence of the energy transfer efficiency between donor and acceptor exhibits a strong focusing effect and the same enhanced donor-dipole character in different angular arrangements. The spectral overlap of the donor emission and acceptor absorption spectra shows that the energy transfer follows the near-field scattering efficiency, with a red-shift from the localized surface plasmon peak for small sphere sizes.
Enhanced optical properties due to indium incorporation in zinc oxide nanowires
Authors: Farid S. , Mukherjee S. , Sarkar K. , Mazouchi M. , Stroscio M. A. , Dutta M.
Published: January 2016

Indium-doped zinc oxide nanowires grown by vapor-liquid-solid technique with 1.6 at. % indium content show intense room temperature photoluminescence (PL) that is red shifted to 20 meV from band edge. We report on a combination of nanowires and nanobelts-like structures with enhanced optical properties after indium doping. The near band edge emission shift gives an estimate for the carrier density as high as 5.5 × 1019 cm−3 for doped nanowires according to Mott's critical density theory. Quenching of the visible green peak is seen for doped nanostructures indicating lesser oxygen vacancies and improved quality. PL and transmission electron microscopy measurements confirm indium doping into the ZnO lattice, whereas temperature dependent PL data give an estimation of the donor and acceptor binding energies that agrees well with indium doped nanowires. This provides a non-destructive technique to estimate doping for 1D structures as compared to the traditional FET approach. Furthermore, these indium doped nanowires can be a potential candidate for transparent conducting oxides applications and spintronic devices with controlled growth mechanism.
A new approach in solar-to-laser power conversion based on the use of external solar spectrum frequency converters
Authors: Payziyev Sh. , Makhmudov Kh.
Published: January 2016

A new approach based on the use of external frequency converters for Nd:YAG solar pumped lasers providing effective conversion of solar-to-laser power is proposed. The possibility of a more than four-fold increase in Nd:YAG solar pumped laser efficiency is shown by the simulation calculation method.
A perturbation theoretic approach to the Riccati equation for the Floquet energies, spectral intensities, and cutoff energy of harmonic generation in photon emission from nonadiabatic electron-transfer dynamics driven by infrared CW laser fields
Authors: Mizuno Yuta , Arasaki Yasuki , Takatsuka Kazuo
Published: January 2016

A complicated yet interesting induced photon emission can take place by a nonadiabatic intramolecular electron transfer system like LiF under an intense CW laser [Y. Arasaki, S. Scheit, and K. Takatsuka, J. Chem. Phys. 138, 161103 (2013)]. Behind this phenomena, the crossing point between two potential energy curves of covalent and ionic natures in diabatic representation is forced to oscillate, since only the ionic potential curve is shifted significantly up and down repeatedly (called the Dynamical Stark effect). The wavepacket pumped initially to the excited covalent potential curve frequently encounters such a dynamically moving crossing point and thereby undergoes very complicated dynamics including wavepacket bifurcation and deformation. Intramolecular electron transfer thus driven by the coupling between nonadiabatic state-mixing and laser fields induces irregular photon emission. Here in this report we discuss the complicated spectral features of this kind of photon emission induced by infrared laser. In the low frequency domain, the photon emission is much more involved than those of ultraviolet/visible driving fields, since many field-dressed states are created on the ionic potential, which have their own classical turning points and crossing points with the covalent counterpart. To analyze the physics behind the phenomena, we develop a perturbation theoretic approach to the Riccati equation that is transformed from coupled first-order linear differential equations with periodic coefficients, which are supposed to produce the so-called Floquet states. We give mathematical expressions for the Floquet energies, frequencies, and intensities of the photon emission spectra, and the cutoff energy of their harmonic generation. Agreement between these approximate quantities and those estimated with full quantum calculations is found to be excellent. Furthermore, the present analysis provides with notions to facilitate deeper understanding for the physical and mathematical mechanisms of the present photon emission.
Rapid calculation of hydrodynamic and transport properties in concentrated solutions of colloidal particles and macromolecules
Authors: Swan James W. , Wang Gang
Published: January 2016

A new method for calculating the resistance tensors of arbitrarily shaped particles and the translational and rotational self-diffusivity in suspensions of such particles is developed. This approach can be harnessed to efficiently and accurately predict the hydrodynamic and transport properties of large macromolecules such as antibodies in solution. Particles are modeled as a rigid composite of spherical beads, and the continuum equations for low Reynolds number fluid mechanics are used to calculate the drag on the composite or its diffusivity in a solution of other composites. The hydrodynamic calculations are driven by a graphics processing unit (GPU) implementation of the particle-mesh-Ewald technique which offers log-linear scaling with respect to the complexity of the composite-bead particles modeled as well as high speed execution leveraging the hyper-parallelization of the GPU. Matrix-free expressions for the hydrodynamic resistance and translational and rotational diffusivity of composite bead particles are developed, which exhibit substantial improvements in computational complexity over existing approaches. The effectiveness of these methods is demonstrated through a series of calculations for composite-bead particles having a spherical geometry, and the results are compared to exact solutions for spheres. Included in the supplementary material is an implementation of the proposed algorithm which functions as a plug-in for the GPU molecular dynamics suite HOOMD-blue (http://codeblue.umich.edu/hoomd-blue) [J. A. Anderson, C. D. Lorenz, and A. Travesset, “General purpose molecular dynamics simulations fully implemented on graphics processing units,” J. Comput. Phys. 227(10), 5342–5359 (2008) and Glaser et al., “Strong scaling of general-purpose molecular dynamics simulations on GPUs,” Comput. Phys. Commun. 192, 97–107 (2015)].
Note: Magnetic targeting for enhancement of the activation efficiency of G protein-coupled receptor with a two-pair coil system
Authors: Cao Quanliang , Han Xiaotao , Chun Lei , Liu Jianfeng , Li Liang
Published: January 2016

Insufficient contact of drug with target cells is a primary reason for limited efficiency of G protein-coupled receptor activation. To overcome this limitation, a simple approach based on magnetic targeting for enhancing drug delivery towards the cell surfaces using magnetic nanoparticles and a two-pair coil system consisting of Helmholtz and Maxwell coils was reported. As a proof of the concept, comparative experiments on G protein-coupled receptor activation process were carried out and results show that the efficiency of G protein-coupled receptor activation can be increased about 6 times in the experiments with the aid of the proposed magnetic targeting system.
Multi-perspective scanning microscope based on Talbot effect
Authors: Sun Yangyang , Pang Shuo
Published: January 2016

We report a multi-perspective scanning microscope based on the Talbot effect of a periodic focal spot array. Talbot illumination decouples the lateral scanning and the focal spots tuning. Large field of view fluorescence Talbot Microscope has been demonstrated by globally changing the incident wavefront gradient. Here, we explore the design freedom of adjusting the wavefront locally within each period and thus engineer the point spread function of the focal spots. We demonstrate an imaging system capable of reconstructing multi-perspective microscopic images in both bright field and fluorescence mode. With the multi-perspective imaging capability, we envision a more robust microscopic imaging system for large field of view fluorescence microscopy applications. This method is also suitable for compact imaging systems for multi-layer microfluidic systems.