bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enterogenous bacterial glycolipids are required for the generation of natural killer T cells mediated liver injury
Authors: Wei Yingfeng , Zeng Benhua , Chen Jianing , Cui Guangying , Lu Chong , Wu Wei , Yang Jiezuan , Wei Hong , Xue Rufeng , Bai Li , Chen Zhi , Li Lanjuan , Iwabuchi Kazuya , Uede Toshimitsu , Van Kaer Luc , Diao Hongyan
Published: November 2016

Glycolipids are potent activator of natural killer T (NKT) cells. The relationship between NKT cells and intestinal bacterial glycolipids in liver disorders remained unclear. We found that, in sharp contrast to specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice, germ-free (GF) mice are resistant to Concanavalin A (ConA)-induced liver injury. ConA treatment failed to trigger the activation of hepatic NKT cells in GF mice. These defects correlated with the sharply reduced levels of CD1d-presented glycolipid antigens in ConA-treated GF mice compared with SPF counterparts. Nevertheless, CD1d expression was similar between these two kinds of mice. The absence of intestinal bacteria did not affect the incidence of αGalCer-induced liver injury in GF mice. Importantly, we found the intestinal bacteria contain glycolipids which can be presented by CD1d and recognized by NKT cells. Furthermore, supplement of killed intestinal bacteria was able to restore ConA-mediated NKT cell activation and liver injury in GF mice. Our results suggest that glycolipid antigens derived from intestinal commensal bacteria are important hepatic NKT cell agonist and these antigens are required for the activation of NKT cells during ConA-induced liver injury. These finding provide a mechanistic explanation for the capacity of intestinal microflora to control liver inflammation.
Impaired T Cell-dependent Humoral Immune Response Associated with Juvenile-onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Progression
Authors: Wu Xunyao , Wang Guoliang , Chen Xi , Zhang Jie , Zhao Jing , Wang Jun , Xiao Yang , Tai Jun , Wang Shengcai , Wang Guixiang , Wang Hua , Bai Lina , Gui Jingang , Ni Xin
Published: November 2016

Whether humoral immunity plays a role in HPV type 6 or 11 virus-mediated Juvenile-onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (JORRP) remains unknown. In the present study, serum total IgG level in 44 JORRP patients was significantly decreased compared with that in 40 healthy controls. Moreover, expanded CD3−CD19+ B cells with down-regulation of CD23, CD40, HLA-DR and up-regulation of CD86 expression were found in the peripheral blood of JORRP patients. Flow cytometry analysis of B-cell compartment showed that the frequency of both CD19+CD27hi plasma cells and CD19+CD27+ memory B cells were decreased in JORRP patients. Importantly, although the proportion of circulating CXCR5+PD1hi Tfh cells was not changed, the function of Tfh cells were greatly impaired with reduced ability of IL-21 secretion to promote B cell maturation. Association analysis by the Kaplan-Meier method revealed that IL-21 secreting Tfh cell was positively correlated to the CD27+ B cell subset frequency, the serum IgG level and the frequency of recurrence in JORRP patients, but negatively correlated to the percentage of IgD+CD27− B cell. We concluded that a reduced IL-21 secretion by Tfh cells may limit B cell maturation and antibody production in JORRP patients and Tfh cell-derived IL-21 might be associated with JORRP outcome in clinic.
Manipulation of zebrafish’s orientation using artificial cilia in a microchannel with actively adaptive wall design
Authors: Mani Karthick , Chang Chien Tsung-Chun , Panigrahi Bivas , Chen Chia-Yuan
Published: November 2016

The zebrafish is a powerful genetic model organism especially in the biomedical chapter for new drug discovery and development. The genetic toolbox which this vertebrate possesses opens a new window to investigate the etiology of human diseases with a high degree genetic similarity. Still, the requirements of laborious and time-consuming of contemporary zebrafish processing assays limit the procedure in carrying out such genetic screen at high throughput. Here, a zebrafish control scheme was initiated which includes the design and validation of a microfluidic platform to significantly increase the throughput and performance of zebrafish larvae manipulation using the concept of artificial cilia actuation. A moving wall design was integrated into this microfluidic platform first time in literature to accommodate zebrafish inside the microchannel from 1 day post-fertilization (dpf) to 6 dpf and can be further extended to 9 dpf for axial orientation control in a rotational range between 0 to 25 degrees at the minimum step of 2-degree increment in a stepwise manner. This moving wall feature was performed through the deflection of shape memory alloy wire embedded inside the microchannel controlled by the electrical waveforms with high accuracy.
Establishing Antibacterial Multilayer Films on the Surface of Direct Metal Laser Sintered Titanium Primed with Phase-Transited Lysozyme
Authors: Guan Binbin , Wang Haorong , Xu Ruiqing , Zheng Guoying , Yang Jie , Liu Zihao , Cao Man , Wu Mingyao , Song Jinhua , Li Neng , Li Ting , Cai Qing , Yang Xiaoping , Li Yanqiu , Zhang Xu
Published: November 2016

Direct metal laser sintering is a technology that allows the fabrication of titanium (Ti) implants with a functional gradation of porosity and surface roughness according to three-dimensional (3D) computer data. The surface roughness of direct metal laser sintered titanium (DMLS-Ti) implants may provide abundant binding sites for bacteria. Bacterial colonization and subsequent biofilm formation can cause unsatisfactory cell adhesion and implant-related infections. To prevent such infections, a novel phase-transited lysozyme (PTL) was utilized as an initial functional layer to simply and effectively prime DMLS-Ti surfaces for subsequent coating with antibacterial multilayers. The purpose of the present study was to establish a surface with dual biological functionality. The minocycline-loaded polyelectrolyte multilayers of hyaluronic acid (HA) and chitosan (CS) formed via a layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technique on PTL-functionalized DMLS-Ti were designed to inhibit pathogenic microbial infections while allowing the DMLS-Ti itself and the modified coatings to retain acceptable biocompatibility. The experimental results indicate that the DMLS-Ti and the hydrogel treated surfaces can inhibit early bacterial adhesion while completely preserving osteoblast functions. This design is expected to gain considerable interest in the medical field and to have good potential for applications in multifunctional DMLS-Ti implants.
Network motifs modulate druggability of cellular targets
Authors: Wu Fan , Ma Cong , Tan Cheemeng
Published: November 2016

Druggability refers to the capacity of a cellular target to be modulated by a small-molecule drug. To date, druggability is mainly studied by focusing on direct binding interactions between a drug and its target. However, druggability is impacted by cellular networks connected to a drug target. Here, we use computational approaches to reveal basic principles of network motifs that modulate druggability. Through quantitative analysis, we find that inhibiting self-positive feedback loop is a more robust and effective treatment strategy than inhibiting other regulations, and adding direct regulations to a drug-target generally reduces its druggability. The findings are explained through analytical solution of the motifs. Furthermore, we find that a consensus topology of highly druggable motifs consists of a negative feedback loop without any positive feedback loops, and consensus motifs with low druggability have multiple positive direct regulations and positive feedback loops. Based on the discovered principles, we predict potential genetic targets in Escherichia coli that have either high or low druggability based on their network context. Our work establishes the foundation toward identifying and predicting druggable targets based on their network topology.
A scFv antibody targeting common oligomeric epitope has potential for treating several amyloidoses
Authors: Zha Jun , Liu Xiang-meng , Zhu Jie , Liu Shu-ying , Lu Shuai , Xu Peng-xin , Yu Xiao-lin , Liu Rui-tian
Published: November 2016

Overproduction or poor clearance of amyloids lead to amyloid aggregation and even amyloidosis development. Different amyloids may interact synergistically to promote their aggregation and accelerate pathology in amyloidoses. Amyloid oligomers assembled from different amyloids share common structures and epitopes, and are considered the most toxic species in the pathologic processes of amyloidoses, which suggests that an agent targeting the common epitope of toxic oligomers could provide benefit to several amyloidoses. In this study, we firstly showed that an oligomer-specific single-chain variable fragment antibody, W20 simultaneously improved motor and cognitive function in Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease mouse models, and attenuated a number of neuropathological features by reducing α-synuclein and mutant huntingtin protein aggregate load and preventing synaptic degeneration. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stressin vivowere also markedly inhibited. The proposed strategy targeting the common epitopes of amyloid oligomers presents promising potential for treating Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other amyloidoses.
BAC-pool sequencing and analysis confirms growth-associated QTLs in the Asian seabass genome
Authors: Shen Xueyan , Ngoh Si Yan , Thevasagayam Natascha May , Prakki Sai Rama Sridatta , Bhandare Pranjali , Tan Andy Wee Kiat , Tan Gui Quan , Singh Siddharth , Phua Norman Chun Han , Vij Shubha , Orbán László
Published: November 2016

The Asian seabass is an important marine food fish that has been cultured for several decades in Asia Pacific. However, the lack of a high quality reference genome has hampered efforts to improve its selective breeding. A 3D BAC pool set generated in this study was screened using 22 SSR markers located on linkage group 2 which contains a growth-related QTL region. Seventy-two clones corresponding to 22 FPC contigs were sequenced by Illumina MiSeq technology. We co-assembled the MiSeq-derived scaffolds from each FPC contig with error-corrected PacBio reads, resulting in 187 sequences covering 9.7 Mb. Eleven genes annotated within this region were found to be potentially associated with growth and their tissue-specific expression was investigated. Correlation analysis demonstrated that SNPs in ctsb, skp1 and ppp2ca can be potentially used as markers for selecting fast-growing fingerlings. Conserved syntenies between seabass LG2 and five other teleosts were identified. This study i) provided a 10 Mb targeted genome assembly; ii) demonstrated NGS of BAC pools as a potential approach for mining candidates underlying QTLs of this species; iii) detected eleven genes potentially responsible for growth in the QTL region; and iv) identified useful SNP markers for selective breeding programs of Asian seabass.
Improvement in the transport critical current density and microstructure of isotopic Mg11B2 monofilament wires by optimizing the sintering temperature
Authors: Qiu Wenbin , Jie Hyunseock , Patel Dipak , Lu Yao , Luzin Vladimir , Devred Arnaud , Somer Mehmet , Shahabuddin Mohammed , Kim Jung Ho , Ma Zongqing , Dou Shi Xue , Hossain Md. Shahriar Al
Published: November 2016

Superconducting wires are widely used in fabricating magnetic coils in fusion reactors. In consideration of the stability of 11B against neutron irradiation and lower induced radio-activation properties, MgB2 superconductor with 11B serving as boron source is an alternative candidate to be used in fusion reactor with severe irradiation environment. In present work, a batch of monofilament isotopic Mg11B2 wires with amorphous 11B powder as precursor were fabricated using powder-in-tube (PIT) process at different sintering temperature, and the evolution of their microstructure and corresponding superconducting properties was systemically investigated. Accordingly, the best transport critical current density (Jc) = 2 × 104 A/cm2 was obtained at 4.2 K and 5 T, which is even comparable to multi-filament Mg11B2 isotope wires reported in other work. Surprisingly, transport Jc vanished in our wire which was heat-treated at excessively high temperature (800 °C). Combined with microstructure observation, it was found that lots of big interconnected microcracks and voids that can isolate the MgB2 grains formed in this whole sample, resulting in significant deterioration in inter-grain connectivity. The results can be a constructive guide in fabricating Mg11B2 wires to be used as magnet coils in fusion reactor systems such as ITER-type tokamak magnet.
Pulse noise-hidden image reconstruction and visualization via stochastic resonance
Authors: Sun Qibing , Liu Hongjun , Huang Nan , Wang Zhaolu , Han Jing
Published: November 2016

We investigate the nanosecond pulse noise-hidden image reconstruction and visualization using stochastic resonance implemented by modulation instability. In particular, this dynamical stochastic resonance holds with coupling between the pulse incoherent noise and pulse coherent signal, and provides a substantial enhancement of the signal-to-noise ratio and cross-correlation. This means that the pulse noise-hidden image can be effectively reconstructed with high visibility and fidelity via stochastic resonance at appropriate system parameters. Such a simple and convenient method has potential applications in image processing under noisy environment.
Engineered Nanomedicine with Alendronic Acid Corona Improves Targeting to Osteosarcoma
Authors: Nguyen Tuyen Duong Thanh , Pitchaimani Arunkumar , Aryal Santosh
Published: November 2016

We engineered nanomedicine with the stealth corona made up of densely packed bone seeking ligand, alendronic acid. In a typical nanoconstruct, alendronic acid is conjugated with hydrophilic head moiety of phospholipid that has an ability to self-assemble with hydrophobic polymeric core through its hydrophobic long carbon-chain. Proposed nanomedicine has three distinct compartments namely; poly(l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymeric core acting as a drug reservoir and skeleton of the nanoconstruct, phospholipid monolayer covers the core acting as a diffusion barrier, and a densely packed alendronic acid corona acting as a stabilizer and targeting moiety. Thus engineered nanomedicine attain spherical entity with ~90 ± 6 nm having negative zeta potential, −37.7 ± 2 mV, and has an ability to load 7 ± 0.3 wt% of doxorubicin. In-vitro bone targeting efficiency of nanomedicine was studied using hydroxyapatite crystals as a bone model, and found significant accumulation of nanoparticle in the crystals. Moreover, cellular internalization studies with mouse osteosarcoma confirm the selectivity of nanomedicine when compared to its internalization in non-targeted mouse melanoma. This nanomedicine shows prolong stability in serum and deliver the drug into the cell exhibiting an IC50 of 3.7 μM. Given the strong interacting property of alendronic acid with bone, the proposed nanomedicine hold promises in delivering drug to bone microenvironment.
Highly sensitive dual mode electrochemical platform for microRNA detection
Authors: Jolly Pawan , Batistuti Marina R. , Miodek Anna , Zhurauski Pavel , Mulato Marcelo , Lindsay Mark A. , Estrela Pedro
Published: November 2016

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles in various human diseases including cancer, making them promising biomarkers. However, given the low levels of miRNAs present in blood, their use as cancer biomarkers requires the development of simple and effective analytical methods. Herein, we report the development of a highly sensitive dual mode electrochemical platform for the detection of microRNAs. The platform was developed using peptide nucleic acids as probes on gold electrode surfaces to capture target miRNAs. A simple amplification strategy using gold nanoparticles has been employed exploiting the inherent charges of the nucleic acids. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to monitor the changes in capacitance upon any binding event, without the need for any redox markers. By using thiolated ferrocene, a complementary detection mode on the same sensor was developed where the increasing peaks of ferrocene were recorded using square wave voltammetry with increasing miRNA concentration. This dual-mode approach allows detection of miRNA with a limit of detection of 0.37 fM and a wide dynamic range from 1 fM to 100 nM along with clear distinction from mismatched target miRNA sequences. The electrochemical platform developed can be easily expanded to other miRNA/DNA detection along with the development of microarray platforms.
B7-H1 antibodies lose antitumor activity due to activation of p38 MAPK that leads to apoptosis of tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells
Authors: Liu Xin , Wu Xiaosheng , Cao Siyu , Harrington Susan M. , Yin Peng , Mansfield Aaron S. , Dong Haidong
Published: November 2016

B7-H1 (aka PD-L1) blocking antibodies have been used in treatment of human cancers through blocking B7-H1 expressed by tumor cells; however, their impact on B7-H1 expressing tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells is still unknown. Here, we report that tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells expressing B7-H1 are functional effector cells. In contrast to normal B7-H1 blocking antibody, B7-H1 antibodies capable of activating p38 MAPK lose their antitumor activity by deleting B7-H1+ tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells via p38 MAPK pathway. B7-H1 deficiency or engagement with certain antibody results in more activation of p38 MAPK that leads to T cell apoptosis. DNA-PKcs is a new intracellular partner of B7-H1 in the cytoplasm of activated CD8+ T cells. B7-H1 suppresses p38 MAPK activation by sequestering DNA-PKcs in order to preserve T cell survival. Our findings provide a new mechanism of action of B7-H1 in T cells and have clinical implications in cancer immunotherapy when anti-B7-H1 (PD-L1) antibody is applied.
Effect of p22phox depletion on sympathetic regulation of blood pressure in SHRSP: evaluation in a new congenic strain
Authors: Zahid Hasan M. , Ferdaus Mohammed Zubaerul , Ohara Hiroki , Isomura Minoru , Nabika Toru
Published: November 2016

Oxidative stress in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), a sympathetic center in the brainstem, was implicated in the regulation of sympathetic activity in various hypertensive models including stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). In this study, we evaluated the role of the NADPH oxidases (NOX) in the blood pressure (BP) regulation in RVLM in SHRSP. The P22PHOX-depleted congenic SHRSP (called SP.MES) was constructed by introducing the mutated p22phox gene of Matsumoto Eosinophilic Shinshu rat. BP response to glutamate (Glu) microinjection into RVLM was compared among SHRSP, SP.MES, SHR and Wistar Kyoto (WKY); the response to Glu microinjection was significantly greater in SHRSP than in SP.MES, SHR and WKY. In addition, tempol, losartan and apocynin microinjection reduced the response to Glu significantly only in SHRSP. The level of oxidative stress, measured in the brainstem using lucigenin and dihydroethidium, was reduced in SP.MES than in SHRSP. BP response to cold stress measured by telemetry system was also blunted in SP.MES when compared with SHRSP. The results suggested that oxidative stress due to the NOX activation in RVLM potentiated BP response to Glu in SHRSP, which might contribute to the exaggerated response to stress in this strain.
High-field magnetic resonance imaging of structural alterations in first-episode, drug-naive patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Chen Z , Peng W , Sun H , Kuang W , Li W , Jia Z , Gong Q
Published: November 2016

Previous structural imaging studies have found evidence of brain morphometric changes in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), but these studies rarely excluded compounding effects of certain important factors, such as medications and long duration of illnesses. Furthermore, the neurobiological mechanism of the macroscopic findings of structural alterations in MDD patients remains unclear. In this study, we utilized magnetization transfer imaging, a quantitative measure of the macromolecular structural integrity of brain tissue, to identify biophysical alterations, which are represented by a magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), in MDD patients. To ascertain whether MTR changes occur independent of volume loss, we also conduct voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis. The participants included 27 first-episode, drug-naive MDD patients and 28 healthy controls matched for age and gender. Whole-brain voxel-based analysis was used to compare MTR and gray matter volume across groups and to analyse correlations between MTR and age, symptom severity, and illness duration. The patients exhibited significantly lower MTR in the left superior parietal lobule and left middle occipital gyrus compared with healthy controls, which may be related to the attentional and cognitive dysfunction in MDD patients. The VBM analysis revealed significantly increased gray matter volume in right postcentral gyrus in MDD patients. These findings in first-episode, drug-naive MDD patients may reflect microstructural gray matter changes in the parietal and occipital cortices close to illness onset that existed before volume loss, and thus potentially provide important new insight into the early neurobiology of depression.
Ankyrin-3 as a molecular marker of early-life stress and vulnerability to psychiatric disorders
Authors: Luoni A , Massart R , Nieratschker V , Nemoda Z , Blasi G , Gilles M , Witt S H , Suderman M J , Suomi S J , Porcelli A , Rizzo G , Fazio L , Torretta S , Rampino A , Berry A , Gass P , Cirulli F , Rietschel M , Bertolino A , Deuschle M , Szyf M , Riva M A
Published: November 2016

Exposure to early-life stress (ELS) may heighten the risk for psychopathology at adulthood. Here, in order to identify common genes that may keep the memory of ELS through changes in their methylation status, we intersected methylome analyses performed in different tissues and time points in rats, non-human primates and humans, all characterized by ELS. We identified Ankyrin-3 (Ank3), a scaffolding protein with a strong genetic association for psychiatric disorders, as a gene persistently affected by stress exposure. In rats, Ank3 methylation and mRNA changes displayed a specific temporal profile during the postnatal development. Moreover, exposure to prenatal stress altered the interaction of ankyrin-G, the protein encoded by Ank3 enriched in the post-synaptic compartment, with PSD95. Notably, to model in humans a gene by early stress interplay on brain phenotypes during cognitive performance, we demonstrated an interaction between functional variation in Ank3 gene and obstetric complications on working memory in healthy adult subjects. Our data suggest that alterations of Ank3 expression and function may contribute to the effects of ELS on the development of psychiatric disorders.
You say ‘prefrontal cortex’ and I say ‘anterior cingulate’: meta-analysis of spatial overlap in amygdala-to-prefrontal connectivity and internalizing symptomology
Authors: Marusak H A , Thomason M E , Peters C , Zundel C , Elrahal F , Rabinak C A
Published: November 2016

Connections between the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are considered critical for the expression and regulation of emotional behavior. Abnormalities in frontoamygdala circuitry are reported across several internalizing conditions and associated risk factors (for example, childhood trauma), which may underlie the strong phenotypic overlap and co-occurrence of internalizing conditions. However, it is unclear if these findings converge on the same localized areas of mPFC or adjacent anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Examining 46 resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging studies of internalizing conditions or risk factors (for example, early adversity and family history), we conducted an activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis of frontoamygdala circuitry. We included all reported amygdala to frontal coordinate locations that fell within a liberal anatomically defined frontal mask. Peak effects across studies were centered in two focal subareas of the ACC: pregenual (pgACC) and subgenual (sgACC). Using publicly available maps and databases of healthy individuals, we found that observed subareas have unique connectivity profiles, patterns of neural co-activation across a range of neuropsychological tasks, and distribution of tasks spanning various behavioral domains within peak regions, also known as ‘functional fingerprints’. These results suggest disruptions in unique amygdala–ACC subcircuits across internalizing, genetic and environmental risk studies. Based on functional characterizations and the studies contributing to each peak, observed amygdala–ACC subcircuits may reflect separate transdiagnostic neural signatures. In particular, they may reflect common neurobiological substrates involved in developmental risk (sgACC), or the broad expression of emotional psychopathology (pgACC) across disease boundaries.
Association of ATP6V1B2 rs1106634 with lifetime risk of depression and hippocampal neurocognitive deficits: possible novel mechanisms in the etiopathology of depression
Authors: Gonda X , Eszlari N , Anderson I M , Deakin J F W , Bagdy G , Juhasz G
Published: November 2016

Current understanding and treatment of depression is limited to the monoaminergic theory with little knowledge of the involvement of other cellular processes. Genome-wide association studies, however, implicate several novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms with weak but replicable effects and unclarified mechanisms. We investigated the effect of rs1106634 of the ATPV1B2 gene encoding the vacuolar H+ATPase on lifetime and current depression and the possible mediating role of neuroticism by logistic and linear regression in a white European general sample of 2226 subjects. Association of rs1106634 with performance on frontal (Stockings of Cambridge (SOC)) and hippocampal-dependent (paired associates learning (PAL)) cognitive tasks was investigated in multivariate general linear models in a smaller subsample. The ATP6V1B2 rs1106634 A allele had a significant effect on lifetime but not on current depression. The effect of the A allele on lifetime depression was not mediated by neuroticism. The A allele influenced performance on the PAL but not on the SOC test. We conclude that the effects of variation in the vacuolar ATPase may point to a new molecular mechanism that influences the long-term development of depression. This mechanism may involve dysfunction specifically in hippocampal circuitry and cognitive impairment that characterizes recurrent and chronic depression.
Adsorption Selectivity of Boron Nitride Nanostructures Designed for Environmental Protection
Authors: Chkhartishvili Levan , Sartinska Lina , Ramishvili Tsiuri
Published: November 2016

Because of the adsorption selectivity of different molecules from gaseous and liquid media, boron nitride (BN) nanostructures with large specific surface area are considered as useful materials in environmental protection, e.g., in water treatment for removal of organic pollutants. Here, we propose a theoretical model explaining the selectivity of boron nitride surfaces to adsorb different molecules. The weakness of interaction between BN hexagonal layers gives the possibility for such kind of reconstruction of the surface layer when B and N atoms are displaced in opposite directions from the surface plane. Bonding in BN is partially ionic, i.e., B and N atoms possess non-zero effective electrical charges of opposite signs. Thus, BN surfaces should be polarized and interact with ions, and induce and/or attract the electrical dipoles of molecules. The adsorption depends on the relation between electrical attraction and Pauli repulsion forces between BN hexagonal surface and molecules, i.e., their characteristics, such as size, charge, dipole moment, and polarizability.
Environmental Applications of Iron-Containing Nanomaterials: Synthetic Routes, Structures, Compositions and Properties
Authors: Jiménez-Pérez Víctor Manuel , Kharissova Oxana V. , Muñoz Flores Blanca M.
Published: November 2016

Remediation of contaminated groundwater and surface water is the main purpose of environmental sciences. This problem affects the health of millions of people, where the major pollutants of water are agriculture and industrial production. However, the treatment of water is very expensive. Accordingly, in the last few decades the use of zero-valent iron (ZVI) nanoparticles for the treatment of toxic contaminants in water has seen a tremendous increase. The main advantages of nanoiron among other nanomaterials are relatively low toxicity and biodegradability. In addition, iron is a relatively cheap and widespread material. This chapter gives an overview of the recent advances of ZVI nanoparticles for environmental application; particular attention is paid to syntheses, structures and properties of nano zero-valent iron (NZVI), and polymorphic forms of iron oxides and FeOOH. In addition, focus is placed on the processes of remediation of organic contaminants, ionic metals and anions. The disinfection of water, toxicity and risks of iron nanomaterials application are reported.
Sample Preparation and Extraction Techniques Using Nanomaterials
Authors: Khajeh Mostafa , Dastafkan Kamran , Bohlooli Mousa , Ghaffari-Moghaddam Mansour
Published: November 2016

This chapter expresses the basic and advanced concepts of sample pretreatment and extraction procedures with nanomaterials prior to analytical qualification and quantitative analysis. The subject is surveyed in four sections according to the relevant and exigent elements of preconcentration processes. The first section imparts the cardinal aspects prior to the environmental analysis. The inefficiency of the traditional strategies and theoretical roots in the liquid-based methodologies enhance the urgency of study and the use of solid-phase extraction methods and novel sorptive materials. The second section discusses the nanometric scale, the main mechanisms for adsorption phenomenon by nanomaterials and furthermore the multifarious properties of materials on this scale. The third section pertains to the sample pretreatment and extraction procedures that have been examined by using nanomaterials as potential adsorbents to date. The fundamental characteristics, methodologies and theoretical evaluations of these methods are studied hereof. Finally, the fourth section presents a comprehensive view of the nanoadsorbents that have been utilized by different research groups around the world for the preconcentration and extraction of assorted environmental species.
Detection of Environmental Pollutants by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Potara Monica , Farcau Cosmin , Botiz Ioan , Astilean Simion
Published: November 2016

Environmental monitoring today represents a significant challenge since the amount of pollutants released in the environment increases every year. The emergence of nanotechnology has provided a wide range of new tools for the detection and removal of various environmental pollutants. In particular, surface-enhanced Raman scattering is a very appealing nanotechnology tool for such applications as it enables ultrasensitive detection down to a single molecule and provides structural information about molecular species from their unique vibrational Raman fingerprints. This chapter reviews the recent progress related to environmental analysis and monitoring by SERS. In particular, we highlight the advances on the development of novel plasmonic materials and sensor devices based on specific nanostructured substrates for selective and sensitive trace analysis of various types of pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metal ions that negatively impact and change the environment and its components.
Cyclophanes
Authors: Diederich Francois N
Published: November 2016

Cyclophanes are bridged aromatic compounds and represent the central class of synthetic receptors in molecular recognition. All types of substrates, from inorganic and organic cations and anions, to neutral molecules have been complexed by tailor-made cyclophanes. This monograph focuses on the principles of supramolecular complexation and catalysis. It provides a state-of-the-art review of the intermolecular forces that hold together the supramolecular complexes of cyclophanes with neutral and charged organic molecules in the liquid phase. Cyclophanes also demonstrates the characteristics and advantages of bridged aromatic compounds as receptors. The book has great clarity, is very readable and will be extremely useful in both teaching and research.
A novel water-soluble chitosan linked fluorescent carbon dots and isophorone diisocyanate fluorescent material toward detection of chromium(vi)
Authors: Wang Jie , Qiu Fengxian , Wu Haiyan , Li Xin , Zhang Tao , Niu Xiangheng , Yang Dongya , Pan Jiangming , Xu Jicheng
Published: November 2016

A novel water-soluble chitosan linked fluorescent carbon dots and isophorone diisocyanate toward detection of chromium(vi).
Combined bortezomib-based chemotherapy and p53 gene therapy using hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres for p53 mutant non-small cell lung cancer treatment
Authors: Li Chun , Hu Junqing , Li Wenyao , Song Guosheng , Shen Jia
Published: November 2016

Hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres (HMSN)-based co-delivery of bortezomib (BTZ) and the tumor suppressor gene p53 was developed for p53 signal impaired NSCLC therapy.
A DFT study of the role of water in the rhodium-catalyzed hydrogenation of acetone
Authors: Polo Victor , Schrock Richard R. , Oro Luis A.
Published: November 2016

Acetone hydrogenation by [RhH2(PR3)2S2]+ catalysts involves hydride migration to the ketone and subsequent reductive elimination assisted by two water molecules.
Highlights from Faraday Discussion 193: Ultrafast Imaging of Photochemical Dynamics, Edinburgh, 2016
Authors: Kirrander Adam , Minns Russell S.
Published: November 2016

On August 31st 2016, 116 delegates from 16 countries gathered at the handsome and historic premises of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Synthesis of MnO2 nanoparticles and their effective utilization as UV protectors for outdoor high voltage polymeric insulators used in power transmission lines
Authors: Ghosh Dipankar , Bhandari Subhendu , Khastgir Dipak
Published: November 2016

The mechanism of the UV protection of polymers by MnO2 where UV radiation is absorbed by MnO2 particles present in the PDMS/EVA–MnO2 composite used in high voltage outdoor insulators for power transmission lines.
Synthesis and structure of Zr(iv)- and Ce(iv)-based CAU-24 with 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene
Authors: Lammert M. , Reinsch H. , Murray C. A. , Wharmby M. T. , Terraschke H. , Stock N.
Published: November 2016

Eight-fold connection of hexanuclear clusters containing Zr(iv) or Ce(iv) through rigid, rectangular tetracarboxylate ions yields new MOFs with scu topology.
Mechanical properties of single supramolecular polymers from correlative AFM and fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Beuwer Michael A. , Knopper M. F. , Albertazzi Lorenzo , van der Zwaag Daan , Ellenbroek Wouter G. , Meijer E. W. , Prins Menno W. J. , Zijlstra Peter
Published: November 2016

We characterize the structure and mechanical properties of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxamide (BTA) supramolecular polymers using correlative AFM and fluorescence imaging.
Improving the electrostatic precipitation removal efficiency by desulfurized wastewater evaporation
Authors: Bin Hu , Yang Yi , Chunmin Yang , Lin Zhang , Linjun Yang
Published: November 2016

This work demonstrates a novel technique that was developed to improve the removal efficiency of fine particles by electrostatic precipitation. Influence factors including operating voltage, wastewater flow rate and atomized droplet diameter were analyzed.
Monodisperse AgPd alloy nanoparticles as a highly active catalyst towards the methanolysis of ammonia borane for hydrogen generation
Authors: Sun Daohua , Li Pengyao , Yang Bin , Xu Yan , Huang Jiale , Li Qingbiao
Published: November 2016

Monodisperse AgPd alloy NPs showed remarkable catalytic activity towards the generation of hydrogen from the methanolysis of ammonia borane at room temperature.
Preparation and characterization of temperature-memory nanoparticles of MIP-CS-g-PMMA
Authors: Zheng Xue-Fang , Lian Qi , Yang Hua , Wu Hai-Xia , Cheng Caihong , Yin Gengwen , Zhang Weiguo
Published: November 2016

A molecular imprinted graft copolymer of chitosan with methyl methacrylate (MIP-CS-g-PMMA) was prepared by free radical polymerization with aspirin as the template molecule and ammonium persulfate as the initiator.
Polypyrrole/cellulose nanofiber aerogel as a supercapacitor electrode material
Authors: Niu Qingyuan , Guo Yaqing , Gao Kezheng , Shao Ziqiang
Published: November 2016

CIT-Fe3+colloid can effectively control over the microscopic morphology of the PPy/CNFs aerogel, which exhibited good electrochemical performance.
Magnetic anisotropy energies of M–Fe wires (M = V–Co) on vicinal Cu(111)
Authors: Hashemi H. , Bregman A. , Nabi H. S. , Kieffer J.
Published: November 2016

One-dimensional transition metal (TM)-Fe nanowires of single-atom width can be formed on a stepped Cu(111) surface.
A nano-organo catalyzed route towards the efficient synthesis of benzo[b]pyran derivatives under ultrasonic irradiation
Authors: Nongrum Ridaphun , Nongthombam Geetmani Singh , Kharkongor Mattilang , Star Rani Jims World , Rahman Noimur , Kathing Chingrishon , Myrboh Bekington , Nongkhlaw Rishanlang
Published: November 2016

Organocatalyst crafted on silica supported ferrite nanoparticle (Fe2O3@SiO2@VB1) for 4H-benzo[b]pyrans synthesis.
Synthesis of 13N-labelled polysubstituted triazoles via Huisgen cycloaddition
Authors: Joshi S. M. , Gómez-Vallejo V. , Salinas V. , Llop J.
Published: November 2016

13N-labelled triazoles have been synthesized via Huisgen cycloaddition by reaction of 13N-labelled azides with alkynes or aldehydes under catalytic conditions.
Synthesis of nanoporous structured iron carbide/Fe–N–carbon composites for efficient oxygen reduction reaction in Zn–air batteries
Authors: Yang Zheng Kun , Zhao Zhi-Wei , Liang Kuang , Zhou Xiao , Shen Cong-Cong , Liu Ya-Nan , Wang Xin , Xu An-Wu
Published: November 2016

An iron carbide-embedded Fe–N-doped carbon catalyst with high-performance for oxygen reduction in Zn–air batteries was prepared through a facile and effective strategy.
Tumor cell-targeted Zn3In2S6 and Ag–Zn–In–S quantum dots for color adjustable luminophores
Authors: Song Jiangluqi , Ma Chao , Zhang Wenting , Yang Siyu , Wang Shuhui , Lv Liu , Zhu Lixin , Xia Ruixiang , Xu Xiaoliang
Published: November 2016

We report on the synthesis of water dispersible Zn3In2S6 and Ag–Zn–In–S QDs and their relaxation dynamics.
Progress in piezo-phototronic effect enhanced photodetectors
Authors: Han Xun , Chen Mengxiao , Pan Caofeng , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: November 2016

This review summarizes the progress of piezo-phototronic effect enhanced photodetectors from single nanowire devices to large-scale photodetector arrays.
One-step additive crosslinking of conjugated polyelectrolyte interlayers: improved lifetime and performance of solution-processed OLEDs
Authors: Stolz Sebastian , Petzoldt Martin , Kotadiya Naresh , Rödlmeier Tobias , Eckstein Ralph , Freudenberg Jan , Bunz Uwe H. F. , Lemmer Uli , Mankel Eric , Hamburger Manuel , Hernandez-Sosa Gerardo
Published: November 2016

We crosslink an amino-functionalized polyfluorene by the solvent additive 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO).
TNF up-regulates ST3GAL4 and sialyl-Lewisx expression in lung epithelial cells through an intronic ATF2-responsive element
Authors: Colomb Florent , Krzewinski-Recchi Marie-Ange , Steenackers Agata , Vincent Audrey , Harduin-Lepers Anne , Delannoy Philippe , Groux-Degroote Sophie
Published: November 2016

We have previously shown that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induced the up-regulation of the sialyltransferase gene ST3GAL4 (α2,3-sialyltransferase gene) BX transcript through mitogen- and stress-activated kinase 1/2 (MSK1/2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. This up-regulation resulted in sialyl-Lewisx (sLex) overexpression on high-molecular-weight glycoproteins in inflamed airway epithelium and increased the adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and PAK strains to lung epithelial cells. In the present study, we describe a TNF-responsive element in an intronic region of the ST3GAL4 gene, whose TNF-dependent activity is repressed by ERK/p38 and MSK1/2 inhibitors. This TNF-responsive element contains potential binding sites for ETS1 and ATF2 transcription factors related to TNF signaling. We also show that ATF2 is involved in TNF responsiveness, as well as in TNF-induced ST3GAL4 BX transcript and sLex overexpression in A549 lung epithelial cells. Moreover, we show that TNF induces the binding of ATF2 to the TNF-responsive element. Altogether, these data suggest that ATF2 could be a potential target to prevent inflammation-induced P. aeruginosa binding in the lung of patients suffering from lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis or cystic fibrosis.
Blind SLM for PAPR reduction of Alamouti DSFBC systems
Authors: Fallahzadeh Milad , Ferdosizadeh Mahmoud
Published: November 2016

The combination of differential space–time block codes and orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing (OFDM) as differential space–frequency block coded (DSFBC)‐OFDM system is a good candidate to achieve maximum diversity without the need to channel estimation. High peak‐to‐average‐power ratio (PAPR) is a major drawback in these systems. The available PAPR reduction methods are not directly applicable in DSFBC‐OFDM system. In this study, the proper application of selected mapping (SLM) method for reducing PAPR in Alamouti DSFBC‐OFDM system is investigated and two different schemes are presented: conventional SLM (C‐SLM) and blind differential SLM (BD‐SLM). In C‐SLM technique, the index of the selected phase sequence must be sent to the receiver side as the side information (SI). In the proposed BD‐SLM method, specific phase mask vectors are generated with one‐to‐one correspondence with the different phase rotation sequences. Then at the receiver side, a differential minimum Hamming distance decoder is introduced to detect the index of optimum phase mask vectors without SI. Simulation results show that the proposed BD‐SLM scheme (without the need to SI) provides good performances of both the bit error rate and PAPR reduction compared with C‐SLM method.
Adaptive fuzzy fault‐tolerant control for multiple high‐speed trains with proportional and integral‐based sliding mode
Authors: Guo Xiang‐Gui , Wang Jian‐Liang , Liao Fang
Published: November 2016

In this study, novel adaptive fuzzy fault‐tolerant control method is proposed for multiple high‐speed trains (HSTs) in the presence of actuator faults, unknown non‐linear dynamics and external disturbances. The fuzzy logic system is used to approximate the unknown functions. Based on proportional and integral‐based sliding mode technique, two adaptive fuzzy control schemes are then proposed to achieve string stability. In the first scheme, the actuator faults are not considered. In the second scheme, a novel fuzzy fault‐tolerant control with fewer adjustable parameters is constructed to further reduce the online computational load. By using Lyapunov analysis, the individual stability and string stability of whole multiple HSTs are proven. In addition, all signals of the closed‐loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded and all HSTs track the reference trajectory to a small compact set around zero. Finally, comparative simulation is introduced to verify the reliability and effectiveness.
Demand response aggregator coordinated two‐stage responsive load scheduling in distribution system considering customer behaviour
Authors: Panwar Lokesh Kumar , Reddy Konda Srikanth , Verma Ashu , Panigrahi Bijaya K. , Kumar Rajesh
Published: November 2016

A demand response aggregator (DRA)‐coordinated load scheduling in distribution system with responsive loads is presented. The mutually exclusive scheduling objectives of demand response provider (DRP) and distribution network operator (DNO) are optimally compromised by DRA through incentive‐based participation strategies of DRPs. Thus, the proposed methodology is a two‐stage optimisation process in which the prioritised schedules (to minimise total electricity charges/cost) of DRP obtained through first‐stage optimisation are rescheduled by DRA in the second‐stage optimisation considering the system/DNO benefits. The proposed methodology considers the behaviour (risk averse nature, incentive favourable nature etc.) through DRPs registration in various participation strategies. The effectiveness of proposed methodology on techno‐economic aspects/attributes is examined using IEEE 34 bus distribution system for different operating conditions. The sensitivity analysis include the effect of load schedules due to change in strategy election by DRPs, change in performance attributes with respect to the penetration levels of responsive loads. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of DRA‐coordinated load scheduling over base case with no responsive loads as well as prioritised schedules of responsive loads by DRPs. The optimal compromise between the objectives of DRPs and DNO is observed in terms of system wide benefits and electricity charges/cost of DRPs. The variation of techno‐economic aspects differs between DRPs‐based schedules and DRA schedules at higher penetration levels.
Battery‐supercapacitor hybrid energy storage system in standalone DC microgrids: areview
Authors: Jing Wenlong , Hung Lai Chean , Wong Shung Hui Wallace , Wong Mou Ling Dennis
Published: November 2016

Global energy challenges have driven the adoption of renewable energy sources. Usually, an intelligent energy and battery management system is deployed to harness the renewable energy sources efficiently, whilst maintaining the reliability and robustness of the power system. In recent years, the battery‐supercapacitor based hybrid energy storage system (HESS) has been proposed to mitigate the impact of dynamic power exchanges on battery's lifespan. This study reviews and discusses the technological advancements and developments of battery‐supercapacitor based HESS in standalone micro‐grid system. The system topology and the energy management and control strategies are compared. The study also discusses the technical complexity and economic sustainability of a standalone micro‐grid system. A case study of a standalone photovoltaic‐based micro‐grid with HESS is presented.
Coupling light into organic nanofibres via Raman scattering: waveguiding properties for near‐infrared light
Authors: Takazawa Ken
Published: November 2016

A technique to couple near‐infrared (IR) light into organic nanofibres that function as active optical waveguides by utilising Raman scattering is developed. Using this technique, light was coupled with λ = 800–910 nm into an organic nanofibre of thiacyanine (TC) dye and waveguiding properties in this wavelength range were investigated. A number of organic nanofibres, including TC nanofibres, have been found to function as active waveguides that propagate their own fluorescence along themselves. The waveguiding properties of these nanofibres have been extensively investigated in their fluorescence wavelength range, which is usually in the ultraviolet to visible region. However, their waveguiding properties outside of the fluorescence range are completely unknown because of the difficulties in coupling light from an external light source. The technique enables coupling of light with various wavelengths from the visible to the near‐IR into nanofibre waveguides and investigation of the waveguiding properties at these wavelengths.