bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eggshell membrane powder ameliorates intestinal inflammation by facilitating the restitution of epithelial injury and alleviating microbial dysbiosis
Authors: Jia Huijuan , Hanate Manaka , Aw Wanping , Itoh Hideomi , Saito Kenji , Kobayashi Shoko , Hachimura Satoshi , Fukuda Shinji , Tomita Masaru , Hasebe Yukio , Kato Hisanori
Published: March 2017

Gut microbiota is an essential factor in the shaping of intestinal immune system development and driving inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We report the effects and microbe-host interactions underlying an intervention using fine powder of eggshell membrane (ESM) against IBD. ESM attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory cytokine production and promoted the Caco-2 cell proliferation by up-regulating growth factors in vitro. In a murine model of dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis, ESM significantly suppressed the disease activity index and colon shortening. These effects were associated with significant ameliorations of gene expressions of inflammatory mediators, intestinal epithelial cell proliferation, restitution-related factors and antimicrobial peptides. Multifaceted integrated omics analyses revealed improved levels of energy metabolism-related genes, proteins and metabolites. Concomitantly, cecal metagenomic information established an essential role of ESM in improving dysbiosis characterized by increasing the diversity of bacteria and decreasing absolute numbers of pathogenic bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli, as well as in the regulation of the expansion of Th17 cells by suppressing the overgrowth of segmented filamentous bacteria. Such modulations have functional effects on the host; i.e., repairing the epithelium, regulating energy requirements and eventually alleviating mucosal inflammation. These findings are first insights into ESM’s modulation of microbiota and IBD suppression, providing new perspectives on the prevention/treatment of IBD.
EEG frequency tagging dissociates between neural processing of motion synchrony and human quality of multiple point-light dancers
Authors: Alp Nihan , Nikolaev Andrey R. , Wagemans Johan , Kogo Naoki
Published: March 2017

Do we perceive a group of dancers moving in synchrony differently from a group of drones flying in-sync? The brain has dedicated networks for perception of coherent motion and interacting human bodies. However, it is unclear to what extent the underlying neural mechanisms overlap. Here we delineate these mechanisms by independently manipulating the degree of motion synchrony and the humanoid quality of multiple point-light displays (PLDs). Four PLDs moving within a group were changing contrast in cycles of fixed frequencies, which permits the identification of the neural processes that are tagged by these frequencies. In the frequency spectrum of the steady-state EEG we found two emergent frequency components, which signified distinct levels of interactions between PLDs. The first component was associated with motion synchrony, the second with the human quality of the moving items. These findings indicate that visual processing of synchronously moving dancers involves two distinct neural mechanisms: one for the perception of a group of items moving in synchrony and one for the perception of a group of moving items with human quality. We propose that these mechanisms underlie high-level perception of social interactions.
Tunable Nanoantennas for Surface Enhanced Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy by Colloidal Lithography and Post-Fabrication Etching
Authors: Chen Kai , Duy Dao Thang , Nagao Tadaaki
Published: March 2017

We fabricated large-area metallic (Al and Au) nanoantenna arrays on Si substrates using cost-effective colloidal lithography with different micrometer-sized polystyrene spheres. Variation of the sphere size leads to tunable plasmon resonances in the middle infrared (MIR) range. The enhanced near-fields allow us to detect the surface phonon polaritons in the natural SiO2 thin layers. We demonstrated further tuning capability of the resonances by employing dry etching of the Si substrates with the nanoantennas acting as the etching masks. The effective refractive index of the nanoantenna surroundings is efficiently decreased giving rise to blueshifts of the resonances. In addition, partial removal of the Si substrates elevates the nanoantennas from the high-refractive-index substrates making more enhanced near-fields accessible for molecular sensing applications as demonstrated here with surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy for a thin polymer film. We also directly compared the plasmonic enhancement from the Al and Au nanoantenna arrays.
Novel members of quinoline compound family enhance insulin secretion in RIN-5AH beta cells and in rat pancreatic islet microtissue
Authors: Orfi Z. , Waczek F. , Baska F. , Szabadkai I. , Torka R. , Hartmann J. , Orfi L. , Ullrich A.
Published: March 2017

According to clinical data, some tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) possess antidiabetic effects. Several proposed mechanisms were assigned to them, however their mode of action is not clear. Our hypothesis was that they directly stimulate insulin release in beta cells. In our screening approach we demonstrated that some commercially available TKIs and many novel synthesized analogues were able to induce insulin secretion in RIN-5AH beta cells. Our aim was to find efficient, more selective and less toxic compounds. Out of several hits, we chose members from a compound family with quinoline core structure for further investigation. Here we present the studies done with these novel compounds and reveal structure activity relationships and mechanism of action. One of the most potent compounds (compound 9) lost its affinity to kinases, but efficiently increased calcium influx. In the presence of calcium channel inhibitors, the insulinotropic effect was attenuated or completely abrogated. While the quinoline TKI, bosutinib substantially inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation, compound 9 had no such effect. Molecular docking studies further supported our data. We confirmed that some TKIs possess antidiabetic effects, moreover, we present a novel compound family developed from the TKI, bosutinib and optimized for the modulation of insulin secretion.
Fabrication of Hierarchical Layer-by-Layer Assembled Diamond-based Core-Shell Nanocomposites as Highly Efficient Dye Absorbents for Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Zhao Xinna , Ma Kai , Jiao Tifeng , Xing Ruirui , Ma Xilong , Hu Jie , Huang Hao , Zhang Lexin , Yan Xuehai
Published: March 2017

The effective chemical modification and self-assembly of diamond-based hierarchical composite materials are of key importance for a broad range of diamond applications. Herein, we report the preparation of novel core-shell diamond-based nanocomposites for dye adsorption toward wastewater treatment through a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled strategy. The synthesis of the reported composites began with the carboxyl functionalization of microdiamond by the chemical modification of diamond@graphene oxide composite through the oxidation of diamond@graphite. The carboxyl-terminated microdiamond was then alternatively immersed in the aqueous solution of amine-containing polyethylenimine and carboxyl-containing poly acrylic acid, which led to the formation of adsorption layer on diamond surface. Alternating (self-limiting) immersions in the solutions of the amine-containing and carboxyl-containing polymers were continued until the desired number of shell layers were formed around the microdiamond. The obtained core-shell nanocomposites were successfully synthesized and characterized by morphological and spectral techniques, demonstrating higher surface areas and mesoporous structures for good dye adsorption capacities than nonporous solid diamond particles. The LbL-assembled core-shell nanocomposites thus obtained demonstrated great adsorption capacity by using two model dyes as pollutants for wastewater treatment. Therefore, the present work on LbL-assembled diamond-based composites provides new alternatives for developing diamond hybrids as well as nanomaterials towards wastewater treatment applications.
Mathematical model of sediment and solute transport along slope land in different rainfall pattern conditions
Authors: Tao Wanghai , Wu Junhu , Wang Quanjiu
Published: March 2017

Rainfall erosion is a major cause of inducing soil degradation, and rainfall patterns have a significant influence on the process of sediment yield and nutrient loss. The mathematical models developed in this study were used to simulate the sediment and nutrient loss in surface runoff. Four rainfall patterns, each with a different rainfall intensity variation, were applied during the simulated rainfall experiments. These patterns were designated as: uniform-type, increasing-type, increasing- decreasing -type and decreasing-type. The results revealed that changes in the rainfall intensity can have an appreciable impact on the process of runoff generation, but only a slight effect on the total amount of runoff generated. Variations in the rainfall intensity in a rainfall event not only had a significant effect on the process of sediment yield and nutrient loss, but also the total amount of sediment and nutrient produced, and early high rainfall intensity may lead to the most severe erosion and nutrient loss. In this study, the calculated data concur with the measured values. The model can be used to predict the process of surface runoff, sediment transport and nutrient loss associated with different rainfall patterns.
Sumoylation stabilizes RACK1B and enhance its interaction with RAP2.6 in the abscisic acid response
Authors: Guo Rongkai , Sun Weining
Published: March 2017

The highly conserved eukaryotic WD40 repeat protein, Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1 (RACK1), is involved in the abscisic acid (ABA) response in Arabidopsis. However, the regulation of RACK1 and the proteins with which it interacts are poorly understood. Here, we show that RACK1B is sumoylated at four residues, Lys50, Lys276, Lys281 and Lys291. Sumoylation increases RACK1B stability and its tolerance to ubiquitination-mediated degradation in ABA response. As a result, sumoylation leads to enhanced interaction between RACK1B and RAP2.6, an AP2/ERF family transcription factor. RACK1B binds directly to the AP2 domain of RAP2.6, which alters the affinity of RAP2.6 for CE1 and GCC cis-acting regulatory elements. Taken together, our findings illustrate that protein stability controlled by dynamic post-transcriptional modification is a critical regulatory mechanism for RACK1B, which functions as scaffold protein for RAP2.6 in ABA signaling.
Highly Sensitive Aluminum-Based Biosensors using Tailorable Fano Resonances in Capped Nanostructures
Authors: Lee Kuang-Li , Hsu Hsuan-Yeh , You Meng-Lin , Chang Chia-Chun , Pan Ming-Yang , Shi Xu , Ueno Kosei , Misawa Hiroaki , Wei Pei-Kuen
Published: March 2017

Metallic nanostructure-based surface plasmon sensors are capable of real-time, label-free, and multiplexed detections for chemical and biomedical applications. Recently, the studies of aluminum-based biosensors have attracted a large attention because aluminum is a more cost-effective metal and relatively stable. However, the intrinsic properties of aluminum, having a large imaginary part of the dielectric function and a longer evanescent length, limit its sensing capability. Here we show that capped aluminum nanoslits fabricated on plastic films using hot embossing lithography can provide tailorable Fano resonances. Changing height of nanostructures and deposited metal film thickness modulated the transmission spectrum, which varied from Wood’s anomaly-dominant resonance, asymmetric Fano profile to surface plasmon-dominant resonance. For biolayer detections, the maximum surface sensitivity occurred at the dip of asymmetric Fano profile. The optimal Fano factor was close to −1.3. The wavelength and intensity sensitivities for surface thickness were up to 2.58 nm/nm and 90%/nm, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) of thickness reached 0.018 nm. We attributed the enhanced surface sensitivity for capped aluminum nanoslits to a reduced evanescent length and sharp slope of the asymmetric Fano profile. The protein-protein interaction experiments verified the high sensitivity of capped nanostructures. The LOD was down to 236 fg/mL.
Transcriptomic insight into terpenoid and carbazole alkaloid biosynthesis, and functional characterization of two terpene synthases in curry tree (Murraya koenigii)
Authors: Meena Seema , Rajeev Kumar Sarma , Dwivedi Varun , Kumar Singh Anup , Chanotiya Chandan S. , Akhtar Md. Qussen , Kumar Krishna , Kumar Shasany Ajit , Nagegowda Dinesh A.
Published: March 2017

Curry tree (Murraya koenigii L.) is a rich source of aromatic terpenes and pharmacologically important carbazole alkaloids. Here, M. koenigii leaf transcriptome was generated to gain insight into terpenoid and alkaloid biosynthesis. Analysis of de novo assembled contigs yielded genes for terpene backbone biosynthesis and terpene synthases. Also, gene families possibly involved in carbazole alkaloid formation were identified that included polyketide synthases, prenyltransferases, methyltransferases and cytochrome P450s. Further, two genes encoding terpene synthases (MkTPS1 and MkTPS2) with highest in silico transcript abundance were cloned and functionally characterized to determine their involvement in leaf volatile formation. Subcellular localization using GFP fusions revealed the plastidial and cytosolic localization of MkTPS1 and MkTPS2, respectively. Enzymatic characterization demonstrated the monoterpene synthase activity of recombinant MkTPS1, which produced primarily (−)-sabinene from geranyl diphosphate (GPP). Recombinant MkTPS2 exhibited sesquiterpene synthase activity and formed (E,E)-α-farnesene as the major product from farnesyl diphosphate (FPP). Moreover, mRNA expression and leaf volatile analyses indicated that MkTPS1 accounts for (−)-sabinene emitted by M. koenigii leaves. Overall, the transcriptome data generated in this study will be a great resource and the start point for characterizing genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of medicinally important carbazole alkaloids.
Dual-energy fluorescent x-ray computed tomography system with a pinhole design: Use of K-edge discontinuity for scatter correction
Authors: Sasaya Tenta , Sunaguchi Naoki , Thet-Lwin Thet- , Hyodo Kazuyuki , Zeniya Tsutomu , Takeda Tohoru , Yuasa Tetsuya
Published: March 2017

We propose a pinhole-based fluorescent x-ray computed tomography (p-FXCT) system with a 2-D detector and volumetric beam that can suppress the quality deterioration caused by scatter components. In the corresponding p-FXCT technique, projections are acquired at individual incident energies just above and below the K-edge of the imaged trace element; then, reconstruction is performed based on the two sets of projections using a maximum likelihood expectation maximization algorithm that incorporates the scatter components. We constructed a p-FXCT imaging system and performed a preliminary experiment using a physical phantom and an I imaging agent. The proposed dual-energy p-FXCT improved the contrast-to-noise ratio by a factor of more than 2.5 compared to that attainable using mono-energetic p-FXCT for a 0.3 mg/ml I solution. We also imaged an excised rat’s liver infused with a Ba contrast agent to demonstrate the feasibility of imaging a biological sample.
Novel vaccine potential of Rv3131, a DosR regulon-encoded putative nitroreductase, against hyper-virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain K
Authors: Kwon Kee Woong , Kim Woo Sik , Kim Hongmin , Han Seung Jung , Hahn Mi-Young , Lee Jong Seok , Nam Ki Taek , Cho Sang-Nae , Shin Sung Jae
Published: March 2017

Accumulating evidence indicates that latency-associated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-specific antigens from the dormancy survival regulator regulon (DosR) may be promising novel vaccine target antigens for the development of an improved tuberculosis vaccine. After transcriptional profiling of DosR-related genes in the hyper-virulent Beijing Mtb strain K and the reference Mtb strain H37Rv, we selected Rv3131, a hypothetical nitroreductase, as a vaccine antigen and evaluated its vaccine efficacy against Mtb K. Mtb K exhibited stable and constitutive up-regulation of rv3131 relative to Mtb H37Rv under three different growth conditions (at least 2-fold induction) including exponential growth in normal culture conditions, hypoxia, and inside macrophages. Mice immunised with Rv3131 formulated in GLA-SE, a well-defined TLR4 adjuvant, displayed enhanced Rv3131-specific IFN-γ and serum IgG2c responses along with effector/memory T cell expansion and remarkable generation of Rv3131-specific multifunctional CD4+ T cells co-producing TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2 in both spleen and lung. Following challenge with Mtb K, the Rv3131/GLA-SE-immunised group exhibited a significant reduction in bacterial number and less extensive lung inflammation accompanied by the obvious persistence of Rv3131-specific multifunctional CD4+ T cells. These results suggest that Rv3131 could be an excellent candidate for potential use in a multi-antigenic Mtb subunit vaccine, especially against Mtb Beijing strains.
Structural characterization of fluoride species in shark teeth
Authors: Chang Hsun-Hui , Chien Ming-Jou , Kao Chun-Chieh , Chao Yu-Jo , Yu Pao-Tao , Chang Chun-Yu , Huang Shing-Jong , Lee Yuan-Ling , Chan Jerry C. C.
Published: March 2017

Multiple fluoride species have been found in shark teeth.
A fully disposable and integrated paper-based device for nucleic acid extraction, amplification and detection
Authors: Tang Ruihua , Yang Hui , Gong Yan , You MinLi , Liu Zhi , Choi Jane Ru , Wen Ting , Qu Zhiguo , Mei Qibing , Xu Feng
Published: March 2017

A fully disposable and integrated paper-based device by integrating nucleic acid extraction, amplification and LFA could achieve nucleic acid testing.
Light triggering of 5-aminolevulinic acid from fused coumarin ester cages
Authors: Soares Ana M. S. , Hungerford Graham , Gonçalves M. Sameiro T. , Costa Susana P. G.
Published: March 2017

Light-triggered release of 5-aminolevulinic acid from various fused coumarin ester cages under UV/vis irradiation in MeOH/HEPES buffer (80 : 20).
Effects of composition and structure on the performance of tin/graphene-containing carbon nanofibers for Li-ion anodes
Authors: Dufficy Martin K. , Huang Sheng-Yang , Khan Saad A. , Fedkiw Peter S.
Published: March 2017

We use structure–composition relationships to engineer tin-containing nanofibers for Li-ion anodes that retain their capacities over 900 cycles.
A solid polymer microneedle patch pretreatment enhances the permeation of drug molecules into the skin
Authors: Li Qiu Yu , Zhang Jia Nan , Chen Bo Zhi , Wang Qi Lei , Guo Xin Dong
Published: March 2017

In this work, solid microneedles (MNs) for skin pretreatment were systematically studied including MN height, density, spacing, and so on.
Fe–N-Doped carbon foam nanosheets with embedded Fe2O3 nanoparticles for highly efficient oxygen reduction in both alkaline and acidic media
Authors: Xu Xueyan , Shi Chengxiang , Li Qi , Chen Rui , Chen Tiehong
Published: March 2017

We report a high performance oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst Fe2O3@Fe–N–C, which is composed of Fe–N-doped carbon foam nanosheets with embedded carbon coated Fe2O3 nanoparticles to enhance the ORR performance in both alkaline and acidic media.
Novel triterpenoid derivatives from Eucomis bicolor Bak. (Hyacinthaceae: Hyacinthoideae)
Authors: Sihra Jaspreet K. , Langat Moses K. , Crouch Neil R. , Nuzillard Jean-Marc , Plainchont Bertrand , Mulholland Dulcie A.
Published: March 2017

The bulbs of Eucomis bicolor (Hyacinthoideae) yielded fourteen novel compounds, including (17S)-3-oxo-24,25,26,27,28-pentanorlanost-8-en-23,17α-olide, whose structure was determined using the Logic for Structure Determination Program.
Fabrication of TiO2@carbon core–shell nanosheets for advanced lithium-ion batteries with excellent cyclability
Authors: Wang Yongzheng , Duan Shuyi , Tian Zhengfang , Shen Yu , Xie Mingjiang , Guo Xiangke , Guo Xuefeng
Published: March 2017

Core–shell type TiO2@carbon nanosheets were constructed which exhibit excellent cyclability (385 mA h g−1 after 2000 cycles) as an anode for Li-ion batteries.
Recent advances in cataluminescence-based optical sensing systems
Authors: Wang Si , Yuan Zhiqin , Zhang Lijuan , Lin Yanjun , Lu Chao
Published: March 2017

Recent advances in the development of cataluminescence focused on oxygen, temperature, catalyst and instrumentation are summarized.
A switchable polymer brush system for antifouling and controlled detection
Authors: Demirci Serkan , Kinali-Demirci Selin , Jiang Shan
Published: March 2017

A stimuli-responsive polymer brush system designed to switch on and off surface functionality and prevent functional groups from fouling.
A catalytic enantioselective approach to tetrol bearing vicinal all-carbon quaternary stereogenic centers
Authors: Yang Hui , Cao Kou-Sen , Zheng Wen-Hua
Published: March 2017

The first highly enantioselective catalytic protocol for selective manipulation of tetrol benzylidene acetals through chiral phosphoric acid mediated oxidative desymmetrization is reported.
N-Heterocyclic carbene copper-catalyzed direct alkylation of terminal alkynes with non-activated alkyl triflates
Authors: Jin Liqun , Hao Wangfang , Xu Jianeng , Sun Nan , Hu Baoxiang , Shen Zhenlu , Mo Weimin , Hu Xinquan
Published: March 2017

(NHC)-Cu-catalyzed C(sp)–C(sp3) bond formation has been successfully achieved under mild conditions.
Novel hypoxia-targeting Pt(iv) prodrugs
Authors: Xu Zichen , Zhao Jian , Gou Shaohua , Xu Gang
Published: March 2017

Hypoxia-targeting Pt(iv) prodrugs inhibit the expression of HIF-1α with high antitumor efficacy and low toxicity.
New trends in the functionalization of metallic gold: from organosulfur ligands to N-heterocyclic carbenes
Authors: Engel Sabrina , Fritz Eva-Corinna , Ravoo Bart Jan
Published: March 2017

Gold is a key metal in nanotechnology but ligands are required for surface stabilization and functionalization. This tutorial review highlights the recent progress from organosulfur to N-heterocyclic carbene surface ligands for gold.
Cationic rhenium(iii) complexes: synthesis, characterization, and reactivity for hydrosilylation of aldehydes
Authors: Pérez Damaris E. , Smeltz Jessica L. , Sommer Roger D. , Boyle Paul D. , Ison Elon A.
Published: March 2017

Cationic Re(iii) complexes are shown to be more active for the catalytic hydrosilylation of benzaldehydes than their neutral acetate precursors.
Formation of paramagnetic metallacyclobutadienes by reaction of diaminoacetylenes with molybdenum alkylidyne complexes
Authors: Àrias Òscar , Brandhorst Kai , Baabe Dirk , Freytag Matthias , Jones Peter G. , Tamm Matthias
Published: March 2017

The reactions of the molybdenum alkylidyne complex [MesCMo{OCMe(CF3)2}3] with the diaminoacetylenes R2NCCNR2(NR2= 4-methylpiperidinyl, NEt2; Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) afforded paramagnetic metallacyclobutadiene (MCBD) complexes with diaminodicarbene ligands.
Shape change of biogenic elemental selenium nanomaterials from nanospheres to nanorods decreases their colloidal stability
Authors: Jain Rohan , Jordan Norbert , Tsushima Satoru , Hübner René , Weiss Stephan , Lens Piet N. L.
Published: March 2017

Microbial reduction of selenium oxyanions under mesophilic (30 °C) and thermophilic (55 °C) conditions produces biogenic elemental selenium nanospheres (BioSe-Nanospheres) and nanorods (BioSe-Nanorods), respectively.
Synthesis, structures and photoluminescence properties of mixed ligand divalent metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Altaf Muhammad , Mansha Muhammad , Sohail Manzar , Isab Anvarhusein A. , Ullah Nisar , Khan Safyan A. , Sher Muhammad , Stoeckli-Evans Helen
Published: March 2017

Crystal engineering is an effective route for synthesis of mixed ligand metal–organic frameworks with attractive topologies and versatile potential applications.
New photoheterolysis precursors to study oxenium ions: combining experiment and theory
Authors: Qiu Yunfan , Winter Arthur H.
Published: March 2017

The combination of theoretical calculations and laser flash photolysis experiments has aided in understanding the reactivity and properties of oxenium ions.
Synthesis of chiral cyclic amines via Ir-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of cyclic imines
Authors: Zhang Ying , Kong Duanyang , Wang Rui , Hou Guohua
Published: March 2017

A highly enantioselective hydrogenation of cyclic imines has been successfully realized providing chiral cyclic amines with excellent enantioselectivities in the absence of any additive.
A dual removable activating group enabled the Povarov reaction of N-arylalanine esters: synthesis of quinoline-4-carboxylate esters
Authors: Jia Xiaodong , Lü Shiwei , Yuan Yu , Zhang Xuewen , Zhang Liang , Luo Liangliang
Published: March 2017

A dual removable activating group enabled Povarov reaction of N-arylalanine esters was reported.
The design and synthesis of an α-Gal trisaccharide epitope that provides a highly specific anti-Gal immune response
Authors: Anraku Kensaku , Sato Shun , Jacob Nicholas T. , Eubanks Lisa M. , Ellis Beverly A. , Janda Kim D.
Published: March 2017

The anti-αGal antibody response induced by a happen-conjugate can discriminate between closely related αGal epitopes.
Computational insights into the mechanisms of Au(i)-catalysed intramolecular addition of the hydroxylamine group onto alkynes
Authors: Li Hongli , Liu Jiajun , Abosede A. Ogunlana , Bao Xiaoguang
Published: March 2017

Computational studies were carried out to understand the reaction mechanisms and the origin of the substrate-dependent chemo- and regio-selectivities of the Au(i)-catalysed intramolecular addition of the hydroxylamine group onto alkynes.
A poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-based drug carrier for delivering DOX to gliomas cells
Authors: Li Yan , He Hai , Lu Wanliang , Jia Xinru
Published: March 2017

G4–FA–PEG/DOX with surface-modified PEG and FA and encapsulated DOX showed enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake via FR-mediated endocytosis.
Inkjet printing and rapid ebeam sintering enable formation of highly conductive patterns in roll to roll process
Authors: Farraj Y. , Bielmann M. , Magdassi S.
Published: March 2017

An illustration of an inkjet printed silver patterns on plastic substrate, sintered by electron beam irradiation in a roll-to-roll process.
Visible and near-infrared electrochromic thiophene–diketopyrrolopyrrole polymers
Authors: Chen Xiuhong , Qiao Wenqiang , Wang Zhi Yuan
Published: March 2017

The electrochromic properties are found to depend on the ratio of thiophene to DPP in polymers.
Heteropolyacids embedded in a lipid bilayer covalently bonded to graphene oxide for the facile one-pot conversion of glycerol to lactic acid
Authors: Tao Meilin , Sun Ningyue , Li Yiming , Tong Tong , Wielicako Marika , Wang Shengtian , Wang Xiaohong
Published: March 2017

A new two-step strategy for the functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) with heteropolyacids (HPAs) and the catalytic activity of the so-obtained materials in the conversion of glycerol to lactic acid (LA) are reported.
Targeted CT/MR dual mode imaging of human hepatocellular carcinoma using lactobionic acid-modified polyethyleneimine-entrapped gold nanoparticles
Authors: Li Du , Yang Jia , Wen Shihui , Shen Mingwu , Zheng Linfeng , Zhang Guixiang , Shi Xiangyang
Published: March 2017

Multifunctional PEI-entrapped gold nanoparticles modified with lactobionic acid enable efficient targeted dual mode CT/MR imaging of human hepatocellular carcinoma.
Manganese-induced turnover of TMEM165
Authors: Potelle Sven , Dulary Eudoxie , Climer Leslie , Duvet Sandrine , Morelle Willy , Vicogne Dorothée , Lebredonchel Elodie , Houdou Marine , Spriet Corentin , Krzewinski-Recchi Marie-Ange , Peanne Romain , Klein André , de Bettignies Geoffroy , Morsomme Pierre , Matthijs Gert , Marquardt Thorsten , Lupashin Vladimir , Foulquier François
Published: March 2017

TMEM165 deficiencies lead to one of the congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), a group of inherited diseases where the glycosylation process is altered. We recently demonstrated that the Golgi glycosylation defect due to TMEM165 deficiency resulted from a Golgi manganese homeostasis defect and that Mn2+ supplementation was sufficient to rescue normal glycosylation. In the present paper, we highlight TMEM165 as a novel Golgi protein sensitive to manganese. When cells were exposed to high Mn2+ concentrations, TMEM165 was degraded in lysosomes. Remarkably, while the variant R126H was sensitive upon manganese exposure, the variant E108G, recently identified in a novel TMEM165-CDG patient, was found to be insensitive. We also showed that the E108G mutation did not abolish the function of TMEM165 in Golgi glycosylation. Altogether, the present study identified the Golgi protein TMEM165 as a novel Mn2+-sensitive protein in mammalian cells and pointed to the crucial importance of the glutamic acid (E108) in the cytosolic ELGDK motif in Mn2+-induced degradation of TMEM165.
Design of improved ring Wilkinson power divider for millimetre wave applications
Authors: Hammou D. , Nedil M. , Tatu S.O.
Published: March 2017

An improved millimetre wave microstrip power divider is presented. This circuit enhanced the conventional Wilkinson power divider (WPD) performance by adding transmission lines between the transformer arms and the resistor to reduce inherent undesirable mutual coupling. The proposed power divider design parameters show more stability over a wider frequency band compared to other valid design solutions. For comparison purposes, the proposed power divider along with the WPD are designed at 61 GHz using high permittivity thin ceramic substrate. The measurement results of the proposed circuit demonstrate improved bandwidth with high input/output matching and isolation of −15 and −24 dB, respectively, in the whole frequency band of 10 GHz. Furthermore, the excess insertion loss is reduced by 20% compared to the conventional one.
Power frequency AC voltage measurement based on double wound Rogowski coil
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed E. , Abd‐Elhady Amr M.
Published: March 2017

This study presents a technique for power frequency AC voltage measurement. The proposed technique utilises a capacitor having a low capacitance in addition to a double wound Rogowski coil. This technique depends on capacitor current measurement using the double wound Rogowski coil. The voltage across the capacitor that connected in parallel with the system at which AC voltage is intended to be measured is reconstructed. The proposed technique is experimentally evaluated by designing the measurement system and using a digital signal processing board for the reconstruction processes. Moreover, the experimental results based on Rogowski coil measurements are compared with those obtained from reference techniques. Finally, the obtained results validate the efficacy of the proposed technique in power frequency AC voltage measurement.
Battery‐friendly scheduling policy in MAC layer for WBAN data packets transmission
Authors: Sun Fangmin , Yi Chenfu , Li Ye
Published: March 2017

Energy consumption is a critical issue for battery‐powered sensor nodes in wireless body area networks (WBANs). Many energy‐efficient medium access control (MAC) protocols have been proposed and investigated for energy‐constrained WBANs. These protocols assume that the battery has an ideal linear model. However, in practical application, the battery model is non‐linear. When the lithium (Li)‐ion battery experiences an idle period, the unavailable charge can be transferred to the available charge and the battery lifetime can be extended. In this study, the authors propose a battery‐friendly MAC (BFMAC) protocol based on the non‐linear electrochemical properties of the Li‐ion battery. A remaining charge factor (RCF) of the battery is introduced. On the basis of the RCF, a combined packets transmission scheme is designed to maximise the lifetime of the battery‐powered sensor nodes. The performance of the BFMAC is evaluated through simulation. The results show that the presented BFMAC and the joint packets transmission scheme prolonged the network lifetime by 25.45% over the sensor‐MAC and 33.61% over the IEEE 802.15.4 non‐beacon‐enabled MAC.
Unbalanced magnetic force prediction in permanent magnet machines with rotor eccentricity by improved superposition method
Authors: Li Yanxin , Lu Qinfen , Zhu Zi‐Qiang
Published: March 2017

An improved superposition method accounting for both permanent magnet (PM) and armature field is proposed to predict the unbalanced magnetic force (UMF) of PM machines having static/dynamic eccentricity. It virtually divides the original eccentric machine into a number of sections along the circumferential direction. Then, a series of concentric machine models are established with equivalent air‐gap lengths corresponding to those air‐gap sections. From the electromagnetic field of each concentric machine predicted by subdomain method, the air‐gap field of the original eccentric machine can be synthesised. Finally, the UMF can be easily obtained by the integral of force density along the air‐gap circumference. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated on both rotating asymmetric and symmetrical PM machines by direct finite‐element analysis and experiment, with particular emphasis of rotor eccentricity influence on the UMF of later one.
Switching LDS detection for GNSS‐based train integrity monitoring system
Authors: Li Sihui , Cai Baigen , Shangguan Wei , Schnieder Eckehard , Toro Federico Grasso
Published: March 2017

Train integrity whilst in service establishes the foundation for railway safety. This study investigates train integrity detection which reliably deduces whether the train consists remain intact. A switching linear dynamic system (SLDS) based train integrity detection method is proposed for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based train integrity Monitoring System (TIMS) using the relative distance, velocity and acceleration of the locomotive and the last van. There, Expectation Maximisation (EM) algorithm estimates the parameters of SLDS model while the Gaussian Sum Filter infers train integrity state. After that, to cope with false detection and misdetection, a verification procedure and train parting time estimation are designed. The approach is evaluated with both field trials and simulated data. Results show that the false alarm rate and misdetection rate of SLDS‐based integrity detection approach are 0 and 0.09% respectively, which proves better than the estimated train length based detection model and Hidden Markov Model (HMM).
Reusable road condition information system for traffic safety and targeted maintenance
Authors: Casselgren Johan , Bodin Ulf
Published: March 2017

Driver awareness of current winter road conditions (RCs) is known to affect the frequency of accidents due to sudden changes in these conditions. For example, partially icy roads that appear during autumn in northern areas typically result in collisions and ditch runs unless the drivers are generally aware of the situation. Availing motorists who drive under winter RCs of enhanced information is therefore highly desirable to increase their awareness of hazardous driving conditions. Such conditions need to be predicted ahead of time and presented to drivers before they attempt slippery road sections. Moreover, the identification of slippery RCs should quickly trigger targeted road maintenance to reduce the risk of accidents. This study presents a scalable and reusable collaborative intelligent transport system, herein referred to as an RC information system (RCIS). RCIS provides accurate RC predictions and forecasts based on RC measurements, road weather observations, and short‐term weather forecasts. The prediction methods in the context of the distributed RCIS have been tested using a prototype implementation. These tests confirmed that these inputs could be combined into useful and accurate information about winter RCs that can be adapted for different types of users.
Design approach for a wireless power transfer system for wristband wearable devices
Authors: Roshan Yaser M. , Park Edward J.
Published: March 2017

In this study, the design approach for wireless power systems in the application of charging wristband wearable devices is studied. As the power transfer efficiency relates to the system parameters, the design approach includes an analytical model for available wireless power in planar circular coils with lateral and angular misalignments, which is typically the case in these applications. The model is then utilised in an optimisation algorithm to design the wireless power system such that maximum available power is transferred through the system. The practicality of the proposed wireless power transfer (WPT) system design is analysed in terms of positioning the power transmitter coil on a bed, while performing the power transfer during a sleeping period of the wearer. Experimental results validate the analytical model of mutual inductance variations and demonstrate the performance of the WPT system for this application.
Effect of unitary sample shifted Laplacian and rectangular distributions in bearing fault identifications of induction motor
Authors: Mohanty Satish , Gupta Karunesh Kumar , Raju Kota Solomon
Published: March 2017

Fault identifications of bearings are complex process and require non‐stationary signal processing methods along with the envelope and cepstral analysis techniques to demodulate the amplitude modulated signals. In this study, the fault signals from the drive end induction motor bearings are detected using proposed unitary sample shifted rectangular and Laplacian probability density functions (pdf). These functions are used to generate recursive frame‐based crest factor (FCF), frame‐based kurtosis (FKS) and frame‐based energy (FE) time series. These time series substantially detect the impulses that depict the fault and shaft rotating frequencies effectively. Apart from detection of fault, the proposed method significantly suppresses the higher order modulated resonating frequencies without the use of non‐coherent amplitude demodulation technique. Similarly, the spectral analyses are found to be observable in fault and shaft rotating frequencies identification using rectangular pdf. However, it is observed that the Laplacian pdf is more sensitive in detecting faults and the spectral leakages are lower than rectangular pdf for variable defect sizes. It is also found that the FCF and FKS time series are more probable in detecting fault, whereas FE is significant in depicting shaft rotation.
Classification of multiple diseases based on wavelet features
Authors: Bodasingi Nalini , Balaji Narayanam
Published: March 2017

This study presents an efficient disease classification approach based on medical images. The approach is more efficient as it reduces the computational complexity. The implementation uses only two wavelet filters in selecting the texture features as compared with five filters used in the earlier research works. The computed average and energy features are fed to feed‐forward neural network (FFNN) and support vector machine (SVM) classifiers. The SVM is proved as a better classifier than the FFNN for all the three diseases related to skin, breast and retina with an improved accuracies of 89%, 92% and 100%, respectively. Also, a graphical user interface is developed useful for various disease classification based on the whole dataset of size 100.
Neutral gas heating by X-rays in primitive galaxies: Infrared observations of the blue compact dwarf I Zw 18 with Herschel
Authors: Lebouteiller V. , Péquignot D. , Cormier D. , Madden S. , Pakull M. W. , Kunth D. , Galliano F. , Chevance M. , Heap S. R. , Lee M.-Y. , Polles F. L.
Published: March 2017

Context. The neutral interstellar medium of galaxies acts as a reservoir to fuel star formation. The dominant heating and cooling mechanisms in this phase are uncertain in extremely metal-poor star-forming galaxies. The low dust-to-gas mass ratio and low polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon abundance in such objects suggest that the traditional photoelectric effect heating may not be effective.

Aims. Our objective is to identify the dominant thermal mechanisms in one such galaxy, I Zw 18 (1/30Z⊙), assess the diagnostic value of fine-structure cooling lines, and estimate the molecular gas content. Even though molecular gas is an important catalyst and tracer of star formation, constraints on the molecular gas mass remain elusive in the most metal-poor galaxies.

Methods. Building on a previous photoionization model describing the giant H ii region of I Zw 18-NW within a multi-sector topology, we provide additional constraints using, in particular, the [C ii] 157 μm and [O i] 63 μm lines and the dust mass recently measured with the Herschel Space Telescope.

Results. The heating of the H i region appears to be mainly due to photoionization by radiation from a bright X-ray binary source, while the photoelectric effect is negligible. Significant cosmic ray heating is not excluded. Inasmuch as X-ray heating dominates in the H i gas, the infrared fine-structure lines provide an average X-ray luminosity of order 4 × 1040 erg s-1 over the last few 104 yr in the galaxy. The upper limits to the [Ne v] lines provide strong constraints on the soft X-ray flux arising from the binary. A negligible mass of H2 is predicted. Nonetheless, up to ~107 M⊙ of H2 may be hidden in a few sufficiently dense clouds of order ≲5 pc (≲0.05′′) in size. Regardless of the presence of significant amounts of H2 gas, [C ii] and [O i] do not trace the so-called “CO-dark gas”, but they trace the almost purely atomic medium. Although the [C ii]+[O i] to total infrared ratio in I Zw 18 is similar to values in more metal-rich sources (~1%), it cannot be safely used as a photoelectric heating efficiency proxy. This ratio seems to be kept stable owing to a correlation between the X-ray luminosity and the star formation rate.

Conclusions. X-ray heating could be an important process in extremely metal-poor sources. The lack of photoelectric heating due to the low dust-to-gas ratio tends to be compensated for by the larger occurrence and power of X-ray binaries in low-metallicity galaxies. We speculate that X-ray heating may quench star formation.
Adaptive reuse of Sydney offices and sustainability
Authors: Wilkinson Sara Jane , Remoy Hilde
Published: March 2017

The built environment contributes 40% of total global greenhouse gas emissions and 87% of the buildings we will have in 2050 are already built. If predicted climate changes are correct, we need to adapt existing stock sustainably. Outside Australia there is a history of office to residential conversions. These conversions number few in Sydney although evidence suggests a trend is emerging in conversion adaptations. In 2014, 102 000 m2of office space was earmarked for residential conversion in Sydney as demand for central residential property grows and low interest rates create good conditions. The Central Business District (CBD) population is projected to increase by 4% to 2031 requiring 45 000 new homes and this coincides with a stock of ageing offices. Furthermore, the Sydney office market is set to be flooded with the Barangaroo development supply in 2017; thus conditions for conversion are better than ever. However, what is the level of sustainability in these projects? And, are stakeholders cognisant of sustainability in these projects? Moreover, is a voluntary a mandatory approach going to deliver more sustainability in this market? Through a series of interviews with key stakeholders, this paper investigates the nature and extent of the phenomena in Sydney, as well as the political, economic, social, environmental and technological drivers and barriers to conversion. No major study exists on conversion adaptation in Sydney and the most residential development is new build. There is substantial potential to change the nature of the CBD and enhance sustainability with the residential conversion of office space. The findings show that opportunities are being overlooked to appreciate and acknowledge the sustainability of this type of adaptation and that there is a need for a rating tool to encourage greater levels of sustainability and to acknowledge existing levels of sustainability achieved in these projects.
Ligand-Free, Copper-Catalyzed Aerobic Benzylic sp3 C–H Oxygenation
Authors: Oisaki Kounosuke , Kanai Motomu , Tanaka Hirotaka
Published: March 2017

A ligand-free and operationally simple copper-catalyzed aerobic benzylic sp3 C–H oxygenation was developed. The addition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide, either in a catalytic or stoichiometric amount, was key for activating stable C–H bonds under mild conditions to furnish the corresponding ketones or esters in moderate to excellent yield.
Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation: Spanish Version and Evaluation of Its Psychometric Properties in Patients with Acute Distal Radius Fracture
Authors: Gallucci Gerardo , Boretto Jorge , Donndorff Agustin , Dubois Juieta , Benitez Sonia , Giunta Diego , de Carli Pablo , Alfie Veronica
Published: March 2017

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to validate a Spanish version of patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) and evaluate its psychometric attributes in a population of patients with distal radius fracture.

Material and Methods A translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the PRWE to Spanish (PRWE-S) was performed according to standardized guidelines. A total of 50 patients with a distal radius fracture were included during the different steps of the study. The reliability of the new instrument was assessed in terms of construct validity with the Quick DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand). Internal consistency and test–retest stability were also examined.

Results The Spearman's correlation test for analysis of the criterion validity (0.75) indicates a strong positive correlation between the PRWE-S and the Quick DASH. The internal consistency according to Cronbach's α was 0.96, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was moderate (0.46).

Conclusion A Spanish version of the PRWE indicated good validity and reliability in distal radius fracture patients. This valuable tool can be used in Spanish-speaking countries to evaluate various aspects as pain and function in patients with injuries of the wrist.
Existence of solution for a generalized quasilinear elliptic problem
Authors: Furtado Marcelo F. , Silva Edcarlos D. , Silva Maxwell L.
Published: March 2017

It establishes existence and multiplicity of solutions to the elliptic quasilinear Schrödinger equation −div(g2(u)∇u)+g(u)g′(u)|∇u|2+V(x)u=h(x,u),x∈ℝN,where g, h, V are suitable smooth functions. The function g is asymptotically linear at infinity and, for each fixed x∈ℝN, the function h(x, s) behaves like s at the origin and s3 at infinity. In the proofs, we apply variational methods.
A compact atomic beam based system for Doppler-free laser spectroscopy of strontium atoms
Authors: Verma Gunjan , Vishwakarma Chetan , Dharmadhikari C. V. , Rapol Umakant D.
Published: March 2017

We report the construction of a simple, light weight, and compact atomic beam spectroscopy cell for strontium atoms. The cell is built using glass blowing technique and includes a simple titanium sublimation pump for the active pumping of residual and background gases to maintain ultra-high vacuum. A commercially available and electrically heated dispenser source is used to generate the beam of Sr atoms. We perform spectroscopy on the 5s2S01→5s 5pP11 transition to obtain a well resolved Doppler free spectroscopic signal for frequency stabilization of the laser source. This design can be easily extended to other alkali and alkaline earth metals.