bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KRASG12D and TP53R167H Cooperate to Induce Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma in Sus scrofa Pigs
Authors: Principe Daniel R. , Overgaard Nana Haahr , Park Alex J. , Diaz Andrew M. , Torres Carolina , McKinney Ronald , Dorman Matthew J. , Castellanos Karla , Schwind Regina , Dawson David W. , Rana Ajay , Maker Ajay , Munshi Hidayatullah G. , Rund Lauretta A. , Grippo Paul J. , Schook Lawrence B.
Published: August 2018

Although survival has improved in recent years, the prognosis of patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains poor. Despite substantial differences in anatomy, physiology, genetics, and metabolism, the overwhelming majority of preclinical testing relies on transgenic mice. Hence, while mice have allowed for tremendous advances in cancer biology, they have been a poor predictor of drug performance/toxicity in the clinic. Given the greater similarity of sus scrofa pigs to humans, we engineered transgenic sus scrofa expressing a LSL-KRASG12D-TP53R167H cassette. By applying Adeno-Cre to pancreatic duct cells in vitro, cells self-immortalized and established tumors in immunocompromised mice. When Adeno-Cre was administered to the main pancreatic duct in vivo, pigs developed extensive PDAC at the injection site hallmarked by excessive proliferation and desmoplastic stroma. This serves as the first large animal model of pancreatic carcinogenesis, and may allow for insight into new avenues of translational research not before possible in rodents.
Discovery and biogeochemistry of asphalt seeps in the North São Paulo Plateau, Brazilian Margin
Authors: Jiang Kai , Zhang Jing , Sakatoku Akihiro , Kambayashi Shota , Yamanaka Toshiro , Kanehara Toshiyuki , Fujikura Katsunori , Pellizari Vivian Helena
Published: August 2018

An initial multiple biogeochemical dataset was acquired from the first discovered asphalt seeps in the Brazil margin during deep-sea dive surveys in 2013 using a manned submersible. These surveys were conducted on the outer escarpment of the North São Paulo Plateau. Sediment cores taken from the submersible were processed for pore water and sediment biogeochemistry. The silica concentration, as a chemical geothermometer, showed a steep gradient in the pore water, which indicates the possibility of an active brine system operating in the seepage area. Rare earth elements were used as powerful tracers of chemical processes. Low rare earth element concentrations in both asphalt and Fe-Mn oxyhydroxide-phase sediments suggests that rare earth elements were released during the oil fractionation and biodegradation processes and further depleted under the reducing environment. The main bacterial communities of the sediment were Proteobacteria in the asphalt sites, while at non-asphalt sites, the main bacterial communities of sediment were Firmicutes. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were used to determine the food sources of the heterotrophs, and results suggest that asphalt probably provides a carbon source for these benthic animals. This study may provide useful information to clarify the impact of heavy hydrocarbon seepage on the marine ecosystem.
Economic Decision-Making in Parrots
Authors: Krasheninnikova Anastasia , Höner Friederike , O’Neill Laurie , Penna Elisabetta , von Bayern Auguste M. P.
Published: August 2018

Economic decision-making involves weighing up differently beneficial alternatives to maximise payoff. This sometimes requires the ability to forego one’s desire for immediate satisfaction. This ability is considered cognitively challenging because it not only requires inhibiting impulses, but also evaluating expected outcomes in order to decide whether waiting is worthwhile. We tested four parrot species in a token exchange task. The subjects were first trained to exchange three types of tokens for a food item of low, medium, and high value and successfully learned to exchange these in an order according to their value. Subsequently, they were confronted with a choice between a food item and a token that could be exchanged for higher-quality food. In additional control conditions however, choosing a token led to an equal or lower payoff. Individuals of all species were capable of deciding economically, yet only large macaws outperformed the other species in one of the crucial controls. For some individuals, particularly African grey parrots, the token apparently had an intrinsic value, which prevented them from choosing economically in some control conditions and which should be considered as potentially confounding by future token exchange studies.
Bonsai Gelsolin Survives Heat Induced Denaturation by Forming β-Amyloids which Leach Out Functional Monomer
Authors: Badmalia Maulik D. , Sharma Pankaj , Yadav Shiv Pratap Singh , Singh Shikha , Khatri Neeraj , Garg Renu , Ashish
Published: August 2018

Here, we report that minimal functional gelsolin i.e. fragment 28–161 can display F-actin depolymerizing property even after heating the protein to 80 °C. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data analysis confirmed that under Ca2+-free conditions, 28–161 associates into monomer to dimer and tetramer, which later forms β-amyloids, but in presence of Ca2+, it forms dimers which proceed to non-characterizable aggregates. The dimeric association also explained the observed decrease in ellipticity in circular dichroism experiments with increase in temperature. Importantly, SAXS data based models correlated well with our crystal structure of dimeric state of 28–161. Characterization of higher order association by electron microscopy, Congo red and ThioflavinT staining assays further confirmed that only in absence of Ca2+ ions, heating transforms 28–161 into β-amyloids. Gel filtration and other experiments showed that β-amyloids keep leaching out the monomer, and the release rates could be enhanced by addition of L-Arg to the amyloids. F-actin depolymerization showed that addition of Ca2+ ions to released monomer initiated the depolymerization activity. Overall, we propose a way to compose a supramolecular assembly which releases functional protein in sustained manner which can be applied for varied potentially therapeutic interventions.
Quantum work statistics, Loschmidt echo and information scrambling
Authors: Chenu A. , Egusquiza I. L. , Molina-Vilaplana J. , del Campo A.
Published: August 2018

A universal relation is established between the quantum work probability distribution of an isolated driven quantum system and the Loschmidt echo dynamics of a two-mode squeezed state. When the initial density matrix is canonical, the Loschmidt echo of the purified double thermofield state provides a direct measure of information scrambling and can be related to the analytic continuation of the partition function. Information scrambling is then described by the quantum work statistics associated with the time-reversal operation on a single copy, associated with the sudden negation of the system Hamiltonian.
Author Correction: Cytotoxicity of Aconitum alkaloid and its interaction with calf thymus DNA by multi-spectroscopic techniques
Authors: Liu Fei , Tan Xiaoxin , Han Xu , Li Xiang , Li Nan , Kang Weijun
Published: August 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
In vitro and in vivo evidences for innate immune stimulators lactic acid bacterial starters isolated from fermented camel dairy products
Authors: Elbanna Khaled , El Hadad Sahar , Assaeedi Abdelrahaman , Aldahlawi Alia , Khider Manal , Alhebshi Alawiah
Published: August 2018

Probiotics are commensals with special characteristics that are essential for the development of the immune system, and may protect mucosal surfaces against pathogens. In this study, a total of 40 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from different raw and fermented camel’s milk samples collected from Saudi Arabia (Makkah area) and Egypt (Fayoum), and tested for the probiotic properties. Among them, Pro 4 and Pro 7 isolates exhibited excellent probiotic potential including bile salt (0.2–0.6%), phenol tolerance (0.2–0.4%) and salt tolerance (0.0–10%). Furthermore, both strains exhibited antimicrobial activity against wide range of food-borne pathogens and Dermatophytes with average zone inhibition of 37.5, 35.5, 34.5, 27.5, 25 and 23.5 mm for Staphylococcus aureus, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogens, Candida albicans and Salmonella typhi, respectively. Furthermore, the in vivo study indicated that these strains significantly improved the mucosal immune responses through an increase in expression of TLR2 and IFNγ mRNA in mice intestine as well as increased the synthesis of polyclonal IgG, IgM and IgA in mice blood sera. Accordingly, due to these unique probiotic properties, both selected strains could be potentially used as probiotic starter cultures for fermented dairy foods as well as functional food and health products.
Plasma microRNA markers of upper limb recovery following human stroke
Authors: Edwardson Matthew A. , Zhong Xiaogang , Fiandaca Massimo S. , Federoff Howard J. , Cheema Amrita K. , Dromerick Alexander W.
Published: August 2018

Preclinical investigators have implicated several microRNAs as regulators of gene expression promoting neural plasticity following experimental stroke in rodent models. Our goal was to determine whether similar microRNAs might be identifiable in plasma of humans with variable recovery from stroke. Plasma was collected 19 days post-stroke from 27 participants with mild-moderate upper extremity impairment enrolled in the Critical Periods After Stroke Study (CPASS). MicroRNA expression was assessed using TaqMan microRNA assays. Good clinical recovery was defined as ≥6 point change in the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) score from baseline to 6 months, with 22 subjects showing good and 5 showing poor recovery. When comparing the good versus poor recovery groups, six microRNAs showed significantly decreased expression – miR-371-3p, miR-524, miR-520g, miR-1255A, miR-453, and miR-583, while 3 showed significantly increased expression - miR-941, miR-449b, and miR-581. MiR-371-3p and miR-941 have previously been associated with neural repair mechanisms; none of the significant microRNAs have previously been associated with stroke. The 9 microRNAs converge on pathways associated with axonal guidance, developmental biology, and cancer. We conclude that plasma microRNAs may be informative regarding human neural repair mechanisms during stroke recovery and probably differ from those seen in experimental stroke models.
Intact perceptual bias in autism contradicts the decreased normalization model
Authors: Van de Cruys Sander , Vanmarcke Steven , Steyaert Jean , Wagemans Johan
Published: August 2018

One recent, promising account of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) situates the cause of the disorder in an atypicality in basic neural information processing, more specifically in how activity of one neuron is modulated by neighboring neurons. The canonical neural computation that implements such contextual influence is called divisive (or suppressive) normalization. The account proposes that this normalization is reduced in ASD. We tested one fundamental prediction of this model for low-level perception, namely that individuals with ASD would show reduced cross-orientation suppression (leading to an illusory tilt perception). 11 young adults with an ASD diagnosis and 12 age-, gender-, and IQ-matched control participants performed a psychophysical orientation perception task with compound grating stimuli. Illusory tilt perception did not differ significantly between groups, indicating typical divisive normalization in individuals with ASD. In fact, all individuals with ASD showed a considerable orientation bias. There was also no correlation between illusory tilt perception and autistic traits as measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale. These results provide clear evidence against the decreased divisive normalization model of ASD in low-level perception, where divisive normalization is best characterized. We evaluate the broader existing evidence for this model and propose ways to salvage and refine the model.
Near Field Breast Tumor Detection Using Ultra-Narrow Band Probe with Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Aldhaeebi Maged A. , Almoneef Thamer S. , Ali Abdulbaset , Ren Zhao , Ramahi Omar M.
Published: August 2018

In this work, we propose a near-field microwave sensing modality that uses a single probe combined with a classification algorithm to help in detecting the presence of tumors in the human female breast. The concept employs a near-field resonant probe with an ultra-narrow frequency response. The resonant probe is highly sensitive to the changes in the electromagnetic properties of the breast tissues such that the presence of the tumor is gauged by determining the changes in the magnitude and phase response of the sensor’s reflection coefficient. A key feature of our proposed detection concept is the simultaneous sensing of tissue property changes to the two female breasts since the right and left healthy breasts are morphologically and materially identical. Once the probe response is recorded for both breasts, the Principle Component Analysis (PCA) method is employed to emphasize the difference in the probe responses. For validation of the concept, tumors embedded in a realistic breast phantoms were simulated. To provide additional confidence in the detection modality introduced here, experimental results of three different sizes of metallic spheres, mimicking tumors, inserted inside chicken and beef meat were detected using an electrically-small probe operating at 200 MHz. The results obtained from the numerical tests and experiments strongly suggest that the detection modality presented here might lead to an inexpensive and portable early and regular screening for breast tumor.
Symptoms and health-related quality of life in Japanese patients with primary biliary cholangitis
Authors: Yagi Minami , Tanaka Atsushi , Abe Masanori , Namisaki Tadashi , Yoshiji Hitoshi , Takahashi Atsushi , Ohira Hiromasa , Komori Atsumasa , Yamagiwa Satoshi , Kikuchi Kentaro , Yasunaka Tetsuya , Takaki Akinobu , Ueno Yoshiyuki , Honda Akira , Matsuzaki Yasushi , Takikawa Hajime
Published: August 2018

Although patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) experience a variety of symptoms that could impair health-related quality of life (HRQOL), no studies regarding symptoms and impact of PBC on HRQOL have been performed in Asian countries. Herein, we aimed to evaluate symptoms and HRQOL in Japanese PBC patients. We performed a multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study. The PBC-40 and the short form (SF)-36 were used as measures of symptoms and HRQOL. Four-hundred-ninety-six patients with PBC were enrolled. In the PBC-40, the average score was highest in the emotional domain, followed by the fatigue domain. The HRQOL measured using SF-36 was also impaired, especially in the physical and role-social components. After adjustments of variables, female sex, younger age at diagnosis, and lower serum albumin level were independently associated with fatigue scores, while a longer follow-up period and lower serum albumin levels were associated with itch scores.
NEC is likely a NETs dependent process and markers of NETosis are predictive of NEC in mice and humans
Authors: Vincent Deirdre , Klinke Michaela , Eschenburg Georg , Trochimiuk Magdalena , Appl Birgit , Tiemann Bastian , Bergholz Robert , Reinshagen Konrad , Boettcher Michael
Published: August 2018

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most devastating diseases affecting premature and mature infants. It is hypothesized that NEC is the result of neutrophils’ active role in hyperinflammation after bacterial gut colonization, through their nuclear DNA release and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to combat pathogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of NETs in NEC pathogenesis, as well as to identify and validate markers of NETosis to predict NEC. NEC was induced in mice by gavage feeding of Neocate and lipopolysaccharide, followed by ten minutes of hypoxia (5% O2) q12h for five days, starting on day four postpartum (p.p.). The interrelation of NEC and neutrophils, including NETs, was assessed macroscopically (i.e. NEC score, SYTOX Orange), microscopically (i.e. Chiu score, citrullinated histone H3, neutrophil elastase), and in blood samples (i.e. cell-free DNA (cfDNA), DNase). In order to determine the exact role of NETs in NEC pathogenesis, a protein arginine deiminase (PAD) inhibition model was established (preventing NETs formation in mice) by injecting BB-Cl-amidine once daily, starting on day one p.p. Additionally, human intestinal samples of diagnostically verified NEC were analyzed. In total, 76 mice were analyzed in the experiment. Serum cfDNA correlated positively with NEC manifestation, as measured by macroscopic NEC score (r = 0.53, p = 0.001), and microscopic evaluation with Chiu score (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). Markers of neutrophil activation and NETosis were significantly increased in animals with NEC and in human samples as compared to controls. Further, prevention of NETosis by protein arginine deiminase (PAD) inhibition in mice significantly reduced mortality, tissue damage, and inflammation in mice induced with NEC. Our results suggest that the hyperinflammation observed in NEC is a NETs-dependent process, as NEC severity was significantly reduced in mice incapable of forming NETs (PAD inhibition) and markers for NEC and NETs correlated positively during the time course of NEC induction. Further, serum surrogate markers of NETosis (such as cfDNA and DNase) appear to predict NEC in neonatal mice. As findings of the mouse NEC model correlate positively with human NEC samples immunohistochemically, the hyperinflammation reaction observed in mice could potentially be applied to human NEC pathogenesis.
KLF6 and STAT3 co-occupy regulatory DNA and functionally synergize to promote axon growth in CNS neurons
Authors: Wang Zimei , Mehra Vatsal , Simpson Matthew T. , Maunze Brian , Chakraborty Advaita , Holan Lyndsey , Eastwood Erik , Blackmore Murray G. , Venkatesh Ishwariya
Published: August 2018

The failure of axon regeneration in the CNS limits recovery from damage and disease. Members of the KLF family of transcription factors can exert both positive and negative effects on axon regeneration, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here we show that forced expression of KLF6 promotes axon regeneration by corticospinal tract neurons in the injured spinal cord. RNA sequencing identified 454 genes whose expression changed upon forced KLF6 expression in vitro, including sub-networks that were highly enriched for functions relevant to axon extension including cytoskeleton remodeling, lipid synthesis, and bioenergetics. In addition, promoter analysis predicted a functional interaction between KLF6 and a second transcription factor, STAT3, and genome-wide footprinting using ATAC-Seq data confirmed frequent co-occupancy. Co-expression of the two factors yielded a synergistic elevation of neurite growth in vitro. These data clarify the transcriptional control of axon growth and point the way toward novel interventions to promote CNS regeneration.
CBP and P300 regulate distinct gene networks required for human primary myoblast differentiation and muscle integrity
Authors: Fauquier Lucas , Azzag Karim , Parra Marco Antonio Mendoza , Quillien Aurélie , Boulet Manon , Diouf Sarah , Carnac Gilles , Waltzer Lucas , Gronemeyer Hinrich , Vandel Laurence
Published: August 2018

The acetyltransferases CBP and P300 have been implicated in myogenesis in mouse immortalized cell lines but these studies focused only on the expression of a handful of myogenic factors. Hence, the respective role of these two related cofactors and their impact at global scale on gene expression rewiring during primary myoblast differentiation remain unknown. Here, we characterised the gene networks regulated by these two epigenetic enzymes during human primary myoblast differentiation (HPM). We found that CBP and p300 play a critical role in the activation of the myogenic program and mostly regulate distinct gene sets to control several aspects of HPM biology, even though they also exhibit some degree of redundancy. Moreover, CBP or P300 knockdown strongly impaired muscle cell adhesion and resulted in the activation of inflammation markers, two hallmarks of dystrophic disease. This was further validated in zebrafish where inhibition of CBP and P300 enzymatic activities led to cell adhesion defects and muscle fiber detachment. Our data highlight an unforeseen link between CBP/P300 activity and the emergence of dystrophic phenotypes. They thereby identify CBP and P300 as mediators of adult muscle integrity and suggest a new lead for intervention in muscular dystrophy.
Alterations of 63 hub genes during lingual carcinogenesis in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Liu Hua , Li Jianjiao , Yang Ying , Liu Liu , Yu Lifu , Tu Minsong , Yuan Ruihong , Yue Wanyuan , Luo Qi , Ruan Yonghua , Dai Xiaoming
Published: August 2018

To identify potential biomarkers of lingual cancer, 75 female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to 16-week oral delivery of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO; 50 mg/L), with 10 mice used as controls. Lingual mucosa samples representative of normal tissue (week 0) and early (week 12) and advanced (week 28) tumorigenesis were harvested for microarray and methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeDIP-Seq). Combined analysis with Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM), the Cytoscape plugin cytoHubba, and screening of differentially expressed genes enabled identification of 63 hub genes predominantly altered in the early stage rather than the advanced stage. Validation of microarray results was carried out using qRT-PCR. Of 63 human orthologous genes, 35 correlated with human oral squamous cell carcinoma. KEGG analysis showed “pathways in cancer”, involving 13 hub genes, as the leading KEGG term. Significant alterations in promoter methylation were confirmed at Tbp, Smad1, Smad4, Pdpk1, Camk2, Atxn3, and Cdh2. HDAC2, TBP, and EP300 scored ≥10 on Maximal Clique Centrality (MCC) in STEM profile 11 and were overexpressed in human tongue cancer samples. However, expression did not correlate with smoking status, tumor differentiation, or overall survival. These results highlight potentially useful candidate biomarkers for lingual cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Inhibition of NOS- like activity in maize alters the expression of genes involved in H2O2 scavenging and glycine betaine biosynthesis
Authors: Phillips Kyle , Majola Anelisa , Gokul Arun , Keyster Marshall , Ludidi Ndiko , Egbichi Ifeanyi
Published: August 2018

Nitric oxide synthase-like activity contributes to the production of nitric oxide in plants, which controls plant responses to stress. This study investigates if changes in ascorbate peroxidase enzymatic activity and glycine betaine content in response to inhibition of nitric oxide synthase-like activity are associated with transcriptional regulation by analyzing transcript levels of genes (betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase) involved in glycine betaine biosynthesis and those encoding antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase and catalase) in leaves of maize seedlings treated with an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase-like activity. In seedlings treated with a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, transcript levels of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase were decreased. In plants treated with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, the transcript levels of ascorbate peroxidase-encoding genes were down-regulated. We thus conclude that inhibition of nitric oxide synthase-like activity suppresses the expression of ascorbate peroxidase and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase genes in maize leaves. Furthermore, catalase activity was suppressed in leaves of plants treated with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor; and this corresponded with the suppression of the expression of catalase genes. We further conclude that inhibition of nitric oxide synthase-like activity, which suppresses ascorbate peroxidase and catalase enzymatic activities, results in increased H2O2 content.
Towards innovation in paper dating: a MicroNIR analytical platform and chemometrics
Authors: Risoluti Roberta , Materazzi Stefano , Tau Federica , Russo Amalia , Romolo Francesco Saverio
Published: August 2018

Using a miniaturized near infrared spectrometer associated to chemometrics we developed a rapid and non destructive procedure to characterise paper and investigate its aging with the aim of solving dating problems.
Optimal voltage for nanoparticle detection with thin nanopores
Authors: Qiu Yinghua
Published: August 2018

Optimal voltages were found for particle detections, at which the current blockade ratio did not depend on surface charge density.
Microfabrication-based isothermal titration calorimetry using a combined in-mixing and post-mixing titration approach
Authors: Feng Xiangsong , Jia Yuan , Jiang Hongyuan , Lin Qiao
Published: August 2018

Advances in microfabrication technology can enable innovative tools for isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) with a combined in-mixing and post-mixing titration, for accurate determination of thermodynamic parameters of reaction systems.
The synergistic effect of strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite and microRNA-21 on improving bone remodeling and osseointegration
Authors: Geng Zhen , Wang Xiaogang , Zhao Jin , Li Zhaoyang , Ma Lili , Zhu Shengli , Liang Yanqin , Cui Zhenduo , He Hongyan , Yang Xianjin
Published: August 2018

Surgical failure, mainly caused by loosening implants, causes great mental and physical trauma to patients.
Electrochemical deposition of large-sized mesoporous nickel films using polymeric micelles
Authors: Baba Daisuke , Kim Jeonghun , Henzie Joel , Li Cuiling , Jiang Bo , Dag Ömer , Yamauchi Yusuke , Asahi Toru
Published: August 2018

Stable mesoporous nickel (Ni) films can be prepared using polystyrene-b-poly-(oxyethylene) (PS-b-PEO) micelles as sacrificial templates.
Topology- and linking number-controlled synthesis of a closed 3 link chain of single-stranded DNA
Authors: Li Qi , Wu Guangqi , Yang Yanyan , An Ran , Li Jing , Liang Xingguo , Komiyama Makoto
Published: August 2018

Preparation of a closed 3-link chain with the linking number strictly controlled to be 1.
Bubble-assisted fabrication of hollow CoMoO4 spheres for energy storage
Authors: Qu Gan , Tian Bingbing , Su Chenliang , Tang Yiwen , Li Ying
Published: August 2018

Hollow CoMoO4 spheres fabricated using a bubble-assisted strategy exhibit an exceptional electrochemical performance when applied in supercapacitors.
Nucleophilic amination of methoxypyridines by a sodium hydride–iodide composite
Authors: Pang Jia Hao , Kaga Atsushi , Chiba Shunsuke
Published: August 2018

A new protocol for nucleophilic amination of methoxypyridines and their derivatives was developed using sodium hydride (NaH) in the presence of lithium iodide (LiI).
Electric–elastic properties of a novel high-quality CdTeMoO6 piezoelectric crystal
Authors: Li Conggang , Gao Zeliang , Tian Xiangxin , Wu Qian , Lu Weiqun , Sun Youxuan , Tao Xutang
Published: August 2018

Bulk single crystals of CdTeMoO6 and its optimized growth parameters and the complete sets of dielectric, piezoelectric and elastic coefficients have been investigated.
Turn-off mode fluorescent norbornadiene-based photoswitches
Authors: Tebikachew Behabitu Ergette , Edhborg Fredrik , Kann Nina , Albinsson Bo , Moth-Poulsen Kasper
Published: August 2018

To explore the potential of negative photochromic molecules for possible optical memory storage applications, we have here synthesized and studied a series of four norbornadiene–quadricyclane (NBD–QC) photoswitching molecules.
Defect generation in TiO2 nanotube anodes via heat treatment in various atmospheres for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Savva Andreas I. , Smith Kassiopeia A. , Lawson Matthew , Croft Sterling R. , Weltner Ariel E. , Jones Chris D. , Bull Hailey , Simmonds Paul J. , Li Lan , Xiong Hui
Published: August 2018

In this paper, ordered TiO2 nanotubes were grown on a Ti substrate via electrochemical anodization and subsequently annealed under various atmospheres to create different point defects for studying their corresponding electrochemical properties.
Enhanced visible light photocatalytic non-oxygen coupling of amines to imines integrated with hydrogen production over Ni/CdS nanoparticles
Authors: Yu Weiwei , Zhang Di , Guo Xinwen , Song Chunshan , Zhao Zhongkui
Published: August 2018

Non-oxygen coupling of amines to imines, initiated by hydrogen evolution over Ni/CdS nanoparticles with visible light, smoothly happens. Outstanding catalytic performance was achieved, originating from integrating effect of coupling reaction and solar-driven reduction of aqueous protons.
Pd–Zn nanocrystals for highly efficient formic acid oxidation
Authors: Zhang Xinran , Fan Hongsheng , Zheng Jinlong , Duan Sibin , Huang Yunxia , Cui Yimin , Wang Rongming
Published: August 2018

Highly uniform Pd–Zn nanocrystals were facilely fabricated with coexisting noble metals and ascorbic acid, which exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity for formic acid oxidation.
Realizing uniform dispersion of MnO2 with the post-synthetic modification of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for advanced lithium ion battery anodes
Authors: Yang Fan , Li Weiyang , Zhang Yanfeng , Tang Bohejin
Published: August 2018

MnO2 nanoparticles were uniformly loaded on the surface of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-67 and ZIF-8) with ligand modification via a facile method, with an average diameter of less than 10 nm.
Noble metal-free 0D–1D NiSx/CdS nanocomposites toward highly efficient photocatalytic contamination removal and hydrogen evolution under visible light
Authors: Meng Sugang , Cui Yanjuan , Wang Hao , Zheng Xiuzhen , Fu Xianliang , Chen Shifu
Published: August 2018

The heterostructures formed between 1D CdS nanorods and 0D NiSxnanoclusters were prepared and showed high photocatalytic activity.
A series of 3D lanthanide coordination polymers decorated with a rigid 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid linker: syntheses, structural diversity, DFT study, Hirshfeld surface analysis, luminescence and magnetic properties
Authors: Kumar Manesh , Kariem Mukaddus , Sheikh Haq Nawaz , Frontera Antonio , Seth Saikat Kumar , Jassal Amanpreet Kaur
Published: August 2018

Solvothermal synthesis of six novel coordination polymers of Ln(iii) containing 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid.
Two- and three-dimensional hybrid zinc phosphites: syntheses, structures and photoluminescence properties
Authors: Han Song-De , Zhang Xiu-Rong , Pan Jie , Mu Ying , Li Jin-Hua , Wang Guo-Ming
Published: August 2018

Two hybrid zincophosphites decorated by a rigid polydentate N-ligand have been synthesized and exhibit structural diversities from a 2D layer to a 3D Framework. The temperature-dependent photoluminescence properties were studied.
Polypyrrole modified Fe0-loaded graphene oxide for the enrichment of uranium(vi) from simulated seawater
Authors: Zhang Yiming , Zhang Hongsen , Liu Qi , Chen Rongrong , Liu Jingyuan , Yu Jing , Jing Xiaoyan , Zhang Milin , Wang Jun
Published: August 2018

A high selectivity uranium (vi) adsorbent was synthesized and used for removal of uranium (vi). The idiographic adsorption capacity is attributed to coordination and chemical reduction of uranium (vi) ions with rGO-PPy-Fe0.
QCM-D and NanoTweezer measurements to characterize the effect of soil cellulase on the deposition of PEG-coated TiO2nanoparticles in model subsurface environments
Authors: Akanbi M. O. , Hernandez L. M. , Mobarok M. H. , Veinot J. G. C. , Tufenkji N.
Published: August 2018

Complementary QCM-D and NanoTweezer measurements are used to examine the impact of a ubiquitous soil enzyme on nanoparticle–surface interactions.
Two-dimensional lamellar magnesium silicate with large spacing as an excellent adsorbent for uranium immobilization
Authors: Wang Weixue , Chen Zhe , Zhou Haijiang , Zhang Yifei , Wang Xiangke
Published: August 2018

Two-dimensional lamellar magnesium silicate with a large spacing of 1.27 nm exhibited a high adsorption ability for U(vi) ions through ion-exchange and surface complexation mechanisms.
Evaluation of the osteoprotective potential of whey derived-antioxidative (YVEEL) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory (YLLF) bioactive peptides in ovariectomised rats
Authors: Pandey Masum , Kapila Suman , Kapila Rajeev , Trivedi Ritu , Karvande Anirudh
Published: August 2018

Whey-derived antioxidative peptide showed an enhanced osteoprotective effect as compared to ACE inhibitory peptide.
Effect of polysaccharide FMP-1 fromMorchella esculentaon melanogenesis in B16F10 cells and zebrafish
Authors: Cai Zheng-Nan , Li Wan , Mehmood Shomaila , Pan Wen-Juan , Wu Qing-Xi , Chen Yan , Lu Yong-Ming
Published: August 2018

Polysaccharide FMP-1 could inhibit melanogenesisin vitroandin vivothrough CREB and p38 MAPK pathways.
Taming electronic properties of boron nitride nanosheets as metal-free catalysts for aerobic oxidative desulfurization of fuels
Authors: Lu Linjie , He Jing , Wu Peiwen , Wu Yingcheng , Chao Yanhong , Li Hongping , Tao Duanjian , Fan Lei , Li Huaming , Zhu Wenshuai
Published: August 2018

Electronic properties of boron nitride nanosheets were tamed by doping carbon atoms into the matrix for boosted aerobic catalytic performance.
Link between a highkonfor drug binding and a fast clinical action: to be or not to be?
Authors: Vauquelin Georges
Published: August 2018

Simulations show under which conditions increasing a drug’skoncan bring about faster clinical action.
A novel high-capacity immunoadsorbent with PAMAM dendritic spacer arms by click chemistry
Authors: Hu Xiaoyan , Li Guangji , Lin Yinlei
Published: August 2018

A novel immunoadsorbent with polyamidoamine dendritic spacer arms was prepared. Click chemistry can improve the reaction selectivity between the ligands and the support matrix under mild reaction conditions. The designed and prepared immunoadsorbent exhibits excellent adsorption for IgG. The IgG adsorption capacity of Sep-G3-His is superior to those of Sep-triazole-His and protein A immunoadsorbents.
Enabling random lasing in an ultrabroad spectral range with robust platforms based on amorphous media
Authors: Liu Yang , Meng Xiangeng
Published: August 2018

An amorphous medium is proposed to serve as the base of alternative strongly scattering centers for random lasing.
Carbon dots with induced surface oxidation permits imaging at single-particle level for intracellular studies
Authors: Misra Santosh K. , Srivastava Indrajit , Khamo John S. , Krishnamurthy Vishnu V. , Sar Dinabandhu , Schwartz-Duval Aaron S. , Soares Julio A. N. T. , Zhang Kai , Pan Dipanjan
Published: August 2018

Separated fractions of carbon dots having induced surface oxidation allows imaging at single-particle level and can be used for intracellular studies.
Iron-decorated nitrogen-rich carbons as efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for Zn–air batteries
Authors: Liu Zhuang , Liu Jing , Wu Hao Bin , Shen Gurong , Le Zaiyuan , Chen Gen , Lu Yunfeng
Published: August 2018

Fe-decorated N-rich carbons have been developed as efficient oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts for Zn–air batteries.
Ultrahigh-photoresponsive UV photodetector based on a BP/ReS2 heterostructure p–n diode
Authors: Cao Shiwei , Xing Yanhui , Han Jun , Luo Xin , Lv Wenxing , Lv Weiming , Zhang Baoshun , Zeng Zhongming
Published: August 2018

The van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure, made up of two dissimilar two-dimensional materials held together by van der Waals interactions, has excellent electronic and optoelectronic properties as it provides a superior interface quality without the lattice mismatch problem.
Pd-Catalyzed C(sp2)–H aminocarbonylation using the Langlois reagent as a carbonyl source
Authors: Li Xiao-Fang , Shi Lin-Feng , Zhang Xing-Guo , Zhang Xiao-Hong
Published: August 2018

An efficient Pd-catalyzed C(sp2)–H aminocarbonylation of aryl carboxamides assisted by an N,S-bidentate directing group was developed.
Synthesis and application of a new chiral monodentate spiro phosphoramidite ligand based on hexamethyl-1,1′-spirobiindane backbone in asymmetric hydroamination/arylation of alkenes
Authors: Shan Huanyu , Pan Rihuang , Lin Xufeng
Published: August 2018

A new chiral monodentate spiro phosphoramidite ligand based on a hexamethyl-1,1′-spirobiindane scaffold has been developed and applied in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric hydroamination/arylation of alkenes.
A broad-spectral-response perovskite photodetector with a high on/off ratio and high detectivity
Authors: Yi Xiaohui , Wang Yisen , Chen Ningli , Huang Zhiwei , Ren Zhenwei , Li Hui , Lin Tao , Li Cheng , Wang Jizheng
Published: August 2018

We designed and fabricated a CH3NH3PbI3/TiO2/Si hybrid photodetector, which shows a high on/off ratio, high detectivity and broad photoresponse.
Photoinduced fragmentation-rearrangement sequence of cycloketoxime esters
Authors: Zhao Binlin , Chen Cheng , Lv Jiahang , Li Zexian , Yuan Yu , Shi Zhuangzhi
Published: August 2018

A novel rearrangement of cycloketoxime esters to cyano-containing benzoates beyond the traditional Beckmann and Neber rearrangement process has been established in the presence of photocatalysis catalysis.
Optically active N-alkyl aziridines via stereospecific reductive cyclization of α-mesylated acetamides
Authors: Tian Duanshuai , Peng Henian , Liu Ziyue , Tang Wenjun
Published: August 2018

An efficient method for the synthesis of optically active N-alkyl aziridines has been realized for the first time by stereospecific reductive cyclization of optically active α-mesylated acetamides. A series of optically active N-alkyl aziridines are prepared in moderate to good yields and excellent ees.
Adverse effect of nano-TiO2on the marine macroalgaeGracilaria lemaneiformis(Gracilariales, Rhodophyta): growth and antioxidant activity
Authors: Liu Jie , Yin Pinghe , Zhao Ling
Published: August 2018

Macroalgae, the major contributor of primary productivity in coastal seas, contribute to the material cycle and energy flow in marine ecosystems.
Graphene based photoanode for DSSCs with high performances
Authors: Tang Bo , Yu Haogang , Peng Haoping , Wang Zhengwei , Li Sen , Ma Tingting , Huang Weiqiu
Published: August 2018

Graphene assisted photoanodes are promising because of the high performance of the resulting dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
Electrochemical surface engineering of magnesium metal by plasma electrolytic oxidation and calcium phosphate deposition: biocompatibility andin vitrodegradation studies
Authors: Kannan M. Bobby , Walter R. , Yamamoto A. , Khakbaz H. , Blawert C.
Published: August 2018

The PEO-CaP coating produced on magnesium metal using an unconventional electrolyte enhanced the degradation resistance and provided excellent cytocompatibility.
Neuroprotective effect of total glycosides from paeonies against neurotoxicity induced by strychnos alkaloids related to recovering the levels of neurotransmitters and neuroendocrine hormones in rat serum and brain
Authors: Sun Linjia , Chen Yu , Hou Chenzhi , Sun Xiaoyang , Wang Zhipeng , Li Shujuan , Lv Mingming , Chen Xiaohui
Published: August 2018

Eight neurotransmitters and four neuroendocrine hormones in rat serum and brain were quantified to investigate the neuroprotective effect of total glycosides from paeony against neurotoxicity induced by strychnos alkaloids.
Temperature dependence of piezo- and ferroelectricity in ultrathin P(VDF–TrFE) films
Authors: Qian Jun , Jiang Sai , Wang Qijing , Yang Chengdong , Duan Yiwei , Wang Hengyuan , Guo Jianhang , Shi Yi , Li Yun
Published: August 2018

The electromechanical activity and polarization nature of the quasi-2D ultrathin polycrystalline P(VDF–TrFE) were clearly demonstrated, revealing a promising avenue for nano-electro-mechanical and nano-ferroelectric applications using ultrathin P(VDF–TrFE) films.
Electrical properties of O-self-doped boron-nitride nanotubes and the piezoelectric effects of their freestanding network film
Authors: Ban Chuncheng , Li Ling , Wei Liuxiao
Published: August 2018

Boron-nitride nanotube (BNNT) freestanding network films have been applied in various new fields, such as nanogenerators, nanotransistors, and nano-artificial eardrums.
Photo-electrochemical hydrogen production from neutral phosphate buffer and seawater using micro-structured p-Si photo-electrodes functionalized by solution-based methods
Authors: Kawde Anurag , Annamalai Alagappan , Amidani Lucia , Boniolo Manuel , Kwong Wai Ling , Sellstedt Anita , Glatzel Pieter , Wågberg Thomas , Messinger Johannes
Published: August 2018

Micro-structured p-Si/TiO2/NiOx allows for efficient photoelectrochemical H2 production from seawater.
Enhanced polysulfide redox kinetics electro-catalyzed by cobalt phthalocyanine for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Huang Wenlong , Lin Zejing , Liu Huitian , Na Ren , Tian Jianhua , Shan Zhongqiang
Published: August 2018

Cobalt phthalocyanine as a novel electrocatalyst enhances the redox kinetics of polysulfide species effectively for lithium–sulfur batteries.
Promoting the water reduction reaction of transition metal dichalcogenides in a basic electrolyte by interface engineering
Authors: Ding Hui , Jiao Qiyang , Lv Haifeng , Xu Kun , Xing Qiyu , Chen Min , Chu Wangsheng , Wu Xiaojun , Guo Yuqiao
Published: August 2018

The interface engineering between NiSe and MoSe2 boosts the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solution.
Au–Cd1−xZnxS core–alloyed shell nanocrystals: boosting the interfacial charge dynamics by adjusting the shell composition
Authors: Pu Ying-Chih , Chen Wei-Ta , Fang Mei-Jing , Chen Yu-Lin , Tsai Kai-An , Lin Wei-Hao , Hsu Yung-Jung
Published: August 2018

Modulating the interfacial electron transfer dynamics of Au–Cd1−xZnxS core–shell nanocrystals by means of shell composition adjustment has been proposed and realized.
CO2-promoted hydrogen production in a protonic ceramic electrolysis cell
Authors: Danilov Nikolay , Tarutin Arthem , Lyagaeva Julia , Vdovin Gennady , Medvedev Dmitry
Published: August 2018

The protonic ceramic electrolysis cell NBN–BCZDy|BCZDy|Ni–BCZDy (where NBN = Nd1.95Ba0.05NiO4+δ, BCZDy = BaCe0.3Zr0.5Dy0.2O3−δ) has been successfully designed and tested for carrying out the CO2 electrochemical reduction.
Boosting the photoelectrochemical activities of all-inorganic perovskite SrTiO3 nanofibers by engineering homo/hetero junctions
Authors: Liang Zhao , Hou Huilin , Song Kai , Zhang Kan , Fang Zhi , Gao Fengmei , Wang Lin , Chen Ding , Yang Weiyou , Zeng Haibo
Published: August 2018

We report a strategy of engineering homo/hetero junctions for boosting the PEC activities of all-inorganic perovskite SrTiO3 nanofibers with high photocurrent density and stability.
Janus tricyclononene polymers bearing tri(n-alkoxy)silyl side groups for membrane gas separation
Authors: Alentiev Dmitry A. , Egorova Elena S. , Bermeshev Maxim V. , Starannikova Ludmila E. , Topchiy Maxim A. , Asachenko Andrey F. , Gribanov Pavel S. , Nechaev Mikhail S. , Yampolskii Yuri P. , Finkelshtein Eugene Sh.
Published: August 2018

Being not prone to aging and possessing high C4/C1 selectivity, new tricyclononene polymers bearing (AlkO)3Si side groups are prospective materials for hydrocarbon mixture separation.
Unexpectedly high electrochemical performances of a monoclinic Na2.4V2(PO4)3/conductive polymer composite for Na-ion batteries
Authors: Lee Yongseok , Yoo Jung-Keun , Oh Youngseok , Park Hyunyoung , Go Wonseok , Myung Seung-Taek , Kim Jongsoon
Published: August 2018

We report a monoclinic Na2.4V2(PO4)3/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (M-NVP/PEDOT) composite as a novel cathode material for sodium-ion batteries.
Safety of nanoparticles based on albumin–polymer conjugates as a carrier of nucleotides for pancreatic cancer therapy
Authors: Taguchi Kazuaki , Lu Hongxu , Jiang Yanyan , Hung Tzong Tyng , Stenzel Martina H.
Published: August 2018

Nanoparticles based on albumin have made an impact in the treatment of various cancers. However, these nanoparticles are not suitable for the delivery of nucleic acid-based drugs. Here, we have evaluated the safety of polymer–albumin conjugates as a carrier for charged drugs such as oligonucleotides.
Pyrrolopyrrole aza boron dipyrromethene based two-photon fluorescent probes for subcellular imaging
Authors: Zhou Yimin , Ma Chao , Gao Nengyue , Wang Qiong , Lo Pui-Chi , Wong Kam Sing , Xu Qing-Hua , Kinoshita Takumi , Ng Dennis K. P.
Published: August 2018

A series of two-photon-absorbing pyrrolopyrrole aza boron dipyrromethenes have been prepared which can serve as fluorescent probes for subcellular imaging.
Hydrogen radical enhanced atomic layer deposition of TaOx: saturation studies and methods for oxygen deficiency control
Authors: Egorov Konstantin V. , Kuzmichev Dmitry S. , Sigarev Andrey A. , Myakota Denis I. , Zarubin Sergey S. , Chizov Pavel S. , Perevalov Timofey V. , Gritsenko Vladimir A. , Hwang Cheol Seong , Markeev Andrey M.
Published: August 2018

Investigations of saturation behaviors of growth rate and valence band states in TaOx (tantalumethoxide and plasma-activated hydrogen) ALD process.
Efficient white organic light-emitting diodes with double co-host emitting layers
Authors: Chen Ping , Sheng Ren , Ko Man-Ying , Duan Yu , Cheng Gang , Che Chi-Ming
Published: August 2018

WOLEDs with high power efficiency are achieved by the combination of emitting iridium(iii) and platinum(ii) complexes in a simple device structure.
0.45‐V 5.4‐nW switched‐capacitor bandgap reference with intermittent operation and improved supply immunity
Authors: Luo Ziyang , Lu Yan , Martins Rui P.
Published: August 2018

Switched‐capacitor networks have been used as bandgap references (BGRs) to replace the area‐consuming resistors in ultra‐low power applications, incorporated with voltage doubler (2X) charge pumps to operate at low supply voltages. However, the open‐loop charge pumps are sensitive to supply and load variations. Therefore, in this work, constant bias currents are added to the cross‐coupled 2X charge pumps to reduce the supply sensitivity, and also to reduce the output ripples without using large capacitors. To further reduce the power consumption, a low‐leakage sample and hold (S&H) circuit is used for an intermittent operation, the active/idle duty ratio of the BGR core is 1/15. Designed in standard 65 nm CMOS, the proposed BGR reaches a temperature coefficient of 64 ppm/°C consuming only 5.4 nW with a minimum supply of 0.45 V (simulated).
Five‐level LLC resonant converter suitable for wide output voltage range
Authors: Yuan Yisheng , Mei Xianglong
Published: August 2018

A five‐level LLC resonant converter is proposed, which is composed of two three‐level (TL) bridge arms, main/auxiliary transformers, resonant elements and a set of rectifier bridge. The DC side and AC side of the two TL bridge arms are parallel connected and serial connected, respectively. With different modulation methods, the converter has three different operation modes with low, medium and high voltage gains. Compared with the traditional TL LLC resonant converter, it has lower switching frequency and higher efficiency at low gain mode. Using the same resonant parameters, it has a higher voltage gain and is more suitable for wide output range. A prototype with 90–220 V output was built. The measured efficiency of the new topology was 1.9% higher than that of the traditional topology at low voltage gain mode, and three gain modes were validated.
Low RMS phase error 28 GHz 5‐bit switch type phase shifter for 5G applications
Authors: Tsai J.‐H. , Lin F.‐M. , Xiao H.
Published: August 2018

A 28 GHz 5‐bit switch‐type phase shifter (STPS) using 0.18 μm CMOS technology is presented for 5G mobile communication applications. Utilising a process variation insensitive transmission line‐based bridged T‐type topology for 11.25°, 22.5°, 45°, 90° 1‐bit phase shifters and high‐pass/low‐pass network switched‐path‐type topology for 180° 1‐bit phase shifter, the 5‐bit STPS achieves ultra‐low root mean square (RMS) phase error of 1.7° and low RMS amplitude error of 0.59 dB at 28 GHz with intrinsic digital phase‐control mechanism. The measured insertion loss of all 32 states is 15 ± 1.5 dB at 28 GHz with zero dc consumption.