bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proton therapy in craniospinal irradiation: a systematic review
Authors: Husak Adam I. , Bridge Pete
Published: September 2015

Aim

Craniospinal irradiation is a technique indicated when a patient has a malignancy that has either disseminated, or is at risk of disseminating, throughout the subarachnoid space. While the craniospinal axis is treatable with conventional radiotherapy, the high doses to organs at risk carry an increased risk of acute and late side effects. Proton craniospinal irradiation is an expensive technique that shows great theoretical promise arising from reduced exit doses. The purpose of this systematic review is to determine the potential role of proton therapy as a standard modality for craniospinal irradiation.

Materials and methods

A literature review was performed to determine the efficacy and cost of proton craniospinal irradiation. The Cochrane Library and the Inspec, Medline (via Pubmed) and Scopus databases were searched. After exclusion criteria were applied, the remaining papers were systematically appraised utilising the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network critical appraisal checklists.

Results

A total of 14 articles remained following the application of the screening and critical appraisal processes. In total, five of the articles concluded that the risk of secondary malignancy was lower with proton therapy, while ten of the articles included data showing that toxicity rates and organs at risk doses were lower with proton therapy. Doses to most thoracic and abdominal organs at risk analysed in the literature were reduced when proton therapy was used, with the sole exception of the oesophagus, the dose to which depended on whether or not the entire vertebral body was treated. Proton therapy also delivered optimal doses to organs at risk in the head and neck compared with conformal radiation therapy. However, in one study that compared tomotherapy to proton therapy, tomotherapy outperformed proton therapy by delivering lower doses to organs at risk in the head and neck, as well as the kidneys. The two cost-effectiveness studies did not indicate proton therapy as an optimal modality for all treatment sites; however, one of the studies found that for medulloblastoma, protons were more cost effective than conventional radiation therapy.

Findings

Proton therapy is a superior treatment option for craniospinal irradiation. The reduction in risk of toxicity and radiocarcinogenesis offered by proton craniospinal irradiation appear to outweigh the increased costs.
Psychometric characteristics of a modified Sympathy–Acceptance–Understanding–Caring competence model questionnaire among foreign-born parents encountering nurses in primary child health care services
Authors: Berlin Anita , Alinaghizadeh Hassan , Törnkvist Lena , Willman Ania , Nilsson Gunnar
Published: September 2015

Aim

To determine the psychometric properties of the Sympathy–Acceptance–Understanding–Caring Competence (SAUC) model questionnaire for foreign-born parents evaluating nursing encounters in the Swedish Primary Child Health Care (PCHC) services.

Background

Multicultural encounters in child health care from the nursing perspective are challenging and problematic worldwide. A suitable theory-based and validated questionnaire is needed for foreign-born parents to assess the quality of their encounters with nurses.

Methods

The SAUC questionnaire, modified for use by new, foreign-born parents using the Swedish PCHC services, was evaluated for its congruence with the theory of Confirming Encounter. The study was ethically approved and data were collected between March and August 2009 from 83 new, foreign-born parents seen at 50 clinics.

Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify related factors, and goodness-of-fit tests were used to estimate theoretical consistency. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to verify the results.

Findings

The questionnaire had satisfactory theoretical consistency with the theory of Confirming Encounter. Three factors identified by exploratory factor analysis and confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis – person support, self-support, and self-perspective support – indicated internal consistency and validated the three factors implicit in the theory Confirming Encounter. In addition, a new factor, concordance, was identified that is compatible with the theory. To conclude, despite the fact that a modified questionnaire have its limitations results demonstrate that the SAUC-model questionnaire seems to be a reliable and valid nursing quality-control measure with which foreign-born parents can evaluate the qualities of a confirming encounter with nurses. However, we suggest the need for testing the questionnaire in a larger population.
Dealing with Viking and Laval: From Theory to Practice
Authors: O’Donoghue Robert , Carr Bruce
Published: September 2015

This chapter examines the recent controversial decisions of the ECJ in Viking and Laval, focusing on how they are likely to be applied in practice. Firstly, it considers the rules regarding the applicable forum and the procedures for going to court in the UK, then it looks at when it can be said that an employer’s economic rights under EU law have been engaged and when there has been a ‘restriction’ on those rights. It goes on to address the core issue of the circumstances in which a ‘restriction’ on the relevant EU economic right pursues a ‘legitimate aim’ and then considers the key battleground in future cases falling under Viking and Laval, namely whether the industrial action is ‘proportionate’. Finally, it addresses an important, but unresolved, issue: the extent to which industrial action in breach of Articles 43 or 49 EC could give rise to liability in damages.
The Purpose of the EU Procurement Directives: Ends, Means and the Implications for National Regulatory Space for Commercial and Horizontal Procurement Policies
Authors: Arrowsmith Sue
Published: September 2015

There currently appears to be considerable confusion amongst regulators and stakeholders over the purpose of the EU’s directives on public procurement and lack of a clear vision of what the directives seek to achieve. Against this background this article has two objectives. First, it seeks to provide a framework for understanding the directives’ functions and their relationship with national policy. In this respect it identifies the ends and means that the directives do, or could, adopt and/or which have been ascribed to them, and considers the implications of each for national regulatory space. Secondly, for each of the ends and means it suggests a specific legal interpretation of its actual and potential role in the EU’s legal framework.

It is argued that the directives seek to promote the internal market and that they seek to do so solely by three means—prohibiting discrimination, implementing transparency, and removing barriers to access. It rejects, on the other hand, certain broader conceptions of the directives, including that they promote a single market by standardising procedures; that they replicate in the public market the competitive process of the private market; and that they seek value for taxpayers’ money. It is argued that rejection of these broader functions has important implications for the scope of national regulatory space, both as regards the ‘commercial’ aspects of public procurement—notably ensuring value for money and an efficient procurement process—and as regards ‘horizontal’ policies in the sense of policies that promote social and environmental objectives through public procurement.
6 The Court of Justice as a Labour Court
Authors: Davies ACL
Published: September 2015

Many legal systems have specialist labour courts with jurisdiction over individual employment disputes or collective labour disputes or both. The literature identifies a number of possible justifications for the use of specialist labour courts. This chapter will engage in a critical examination of this literature in order to develop a framework for analysing the performance of courts (whether specialist or otherwise) in deciding labour law cases. We shall then apply that framework to some of the recent case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The ILC’s Draft Articles Before the 69th Session of the UNGA: A Reawakening?
Authors: MORRIS-SHARMA Natalie Y.
Published: September 2015

The treatment by states, at the 69th session of the UNGA, of the ILC’s work on the responsibility of international organizations, the effects of armed conflicts on treaties, and the expulsion of aliens, offer some interesting points for reflection, particularly about the role of states in international law-making. This paper situates the UNGA’s consideration of the draft articles before it within the context of the recent trends of the UNGA’s commending of the ILC’s draft articles to the attention of governments, and of its use of technical roll-overs. In this regard, the paper questions whether the UNGA’s approach to the draft articles on the expulsion of aliens signals a reawakening of the UNGA. Against this backdrop, the paper also discusses the past practice of the UNGA when considering the draft articles of the ILC.
SAG-UPS attenuates proapoptotic SARM and Noxa to confer survival advantage to early hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chang S C , Choo W Q W , Toh H C , Ding J L
Published: September 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly cancer because of its commonly late diagnosis and limited treatment options. SAG (sensitive to apoptosis gene)-dependent UPS (ubiquitin–proteasome system) is a key switch between immune-mediated apoptosis and overactivation-mediated protumorigenesis, prompting us to hypothesize that SAG-UPS modulates chronic inflammation-induced tumorigenesis. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism by which SAG-UPS regulates death/survival of liver cancer cells. By retrospective studies, we found reciprocal expressions of anti-/proapoptotic factors: SAG/SARM and SAG/Noxa in human primary HCC tissues – the antiapoptotic SAG was significantly upregulated whereas the proapoptotic SARM and Noxa were markedly downregulated, suggesting their involvement in hepatocarcinogenesis. Upregulated SAG-UPS effectively manipulates the levels of high-molecular-weight ubiquitinated SARM and Noxa in carcinoma tissues compared with corresponding normal tissues. SAG-overexpressing HCC cell lines display reduced SARM and Noxa (but not Bcl-2, Bax and Bcl-xL), suggesting that SARM and Noxa are specific substrates of SAG-dependent ubiquitination. SARM overexpression activated caspase-3 and caspase-9, reducing cell viability. SAG knockdown significantly elevated apoptosis with increased cytosolic cytochrome c, confirming SAG-mediated antiapoptosis in HCC. SAG overexpression stimulated protumorigenic cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF, but not antitumorigenic IL-12p40 and anti-inflammatory IL-10. This is consistent with higher proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF) in hepatoma compared with healthy tissues. Altogether, early stage-upregulated SAG-UPS exacerbates hepatocarcinogenesis progression, through: (1) ubiquitination-mediated degradation of proapoptotic SARM and Noxa; and (2) production of protumorigenic cytokines that induce a protumorigenic microenvironment, conferring survival advantage to HCC cells. Thus, we propose SAG-UPS to be an early diagnostic marker for HCC, and a potential target for therapeutics development.
A transposable element in a NAC gene is associated with drought tolerance in maize seedlings
Authors: Mao Hude , Wang Hongwei , Liu Shengxue , Li Zhigang , Yang Xiaohong , Yan Jianbing , Li Jiansheng , Tran Lam-Son Phan , Qin Feng
Published: September 2015

Drought represents a major constraint on maize production worldwide. Understanding the genetic basis for natural variation in drought tolerance of maize may facilitate efforts to improve this trait in cultivated germplasm. Here, using a genome-wide association study, we show that a miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE) inserted in the promoter of a NAC gene (ZmNAC111) is significantly associated with natural variation in maize drought tolerance. The 82-bp MITE represses ZmNAC111 expression via RNA-directed DNA methylation and H3K9 dimethylation when heterologously expressed in Arabidopsis. Increasing ZmNAC111 expression in transgenic maize enhances drought tolerance at the seedling stage, improves water-use efficiency and induces upregulation of drought-responsive genes under water stress. The MITE insertion in the ZmNAC111 promoter appears to have occurred after maize domestication and spread among temperate germplasm. The identification of this MITE insertion provides insight into the genetic basis for natural variation in maize drought tolerance.
Extremely large magnetoresistance in few-layer graphene/boron–nitride heterostructures
Authors: Gopinadhan Kalon , Shin Young Jun , Jalil Rashid , Venkatesan Thirumalai , Geim Andre K. , Neto Antonio H. Castro , Yang Hyunsoo
Published: September 2015

Understanding magnetoresistance, the change in electrical resistance under an external magnetic field, at the atomic level is of great interest both fundamentally and technologically. Graphene and other two-dimensional layered materials provide an unprecedented opportunity to explore magnetoresistance at its nascent stage of structural formation. Here we report an extremely large local magnetoresistance of∼2,000% at 400 K and a non-local magnetoresistance of >90,000% in an applied magnetic field of 9 T at 300 K in few-layer graphene/boron–nitride heterostructures. The local magnetoresistance is understood to arise from large differential transport parameters, such as the carrier mobility, across various layers of few-layer graphene upon a normal magnetic field, whereas the non-local magnetoresistance is due to the magnetic field induced Ettingshausen–Nernst effect. Non-local magnetoresistance suggests the possibility of a graphene-based gate tunable thermal switch. In addition, our results demonstrate that graphene heterostructures may be promising for magnetic field sensing applications.
De novo assembly and next-generation sequencing to analyse full-length gene variants from codon-barcoded libraries
Authors: Cho Namjin , Hwang Byungjin , Yoon Jung-ki , Park Sangun , Lee Joongoo , Seo Han Na , Lee Jeewon , Huh Sunghoon , Chung Jinsoo , Bang Duhee
Published: September 2015

Interpreting epistatic interactions is crucial for understanding evolutionary dynamics of complex genetic systems and unveiling structure and function of genetic pathways. Although high resolution mapping of en masse variant libraries renders molecular biologists to address genotype-phenotype relationships, long-read sequencing technology remains indispensable to assess functional relationship between mutations that lie far apart. Here, we introduce JigsawSeq for multiplexed sequence identification of pooled gene variant libraries by combining a codon-based molecular barcoding strategy and de novo assembly of short-read data. We first validate JigsawSeq on small sub-pools and observed high precision and recall at various experimental settings. With extensive simulations, we then apply JigsawSeq to large-scale gene variant libraries to show that our method can be reliably scaled using next-generation sequencing. JigsawSeq may serve as a rapid screening tool for functional genomics and offer the opportunity to explore evolutionary trajectories of protein variants.
Neuronal and behavioural modulations by pathway-selective optogenetic stimulation of the primate oculomotor system
Authors: Inoue Ken-ichi , Takada Masahiko , Matsumoto Masayuki
Published: September 2015

Optogenetics enables temporally and spatially precise control of neuronal activity in vivo. One of the key advantages of optogenetics is that it can be used to control the activity of targeted neural pathways that connect specific brain regions. While such pathway-selective optogenetic control is a popular tool in rodents, attempts at modulating behaviour using pathway-selective optogenetics have not yet been successful in primates. Here we develop a methodology for pathway-selective optogenetics in macaque monkeys, focusing on the pathway from the frontal eye field (FEF) to the superior colliculus (SC), part of the complex oculomotor network. We find that the optogenetic stimulation of FEF projections to the SC modulates SC neuron activity and is sufficient to evoke saccadic eye movements towards the response field corresponding to the stimulation site. Thus, our results demonstrate the feasibility of using pathway-selective optogenetics to elucidate neural network function in primates.
Enhanced Power Output of a Triboelectric Nanogenerator Composed of Electrospun Nanofiber Mats Doped with Graphene Oxide
Authors: Huang Tao , Lu Mingxia , Yu Hao , Zhang Qinghong , Wang Hongzhi , Zhu Meifang
Published: September 2015

We developed a book-shaped triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that consists of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) nanofibers to effectively harvest mechanical energy. The dispersed graphene oxide in the PVDF nanofibers acts as charge trapping sites, which increased the interface for charge storage as well as the output performance of the TENG. The book-shaped TENG was used as a direct power source to drive small electronics such as LED bulbs. This study proved that it is possible to improve the performance of TENGs using composite materials.
Combination of transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveals a JAZ repressor in the jasmonate signaling pathway of Salvia miltiorrhiza
Authors: Ge Qian , Zhang Yuan , Hua Wen-Ping , Wu Yu-Cui , Jin Xin-Xin , Song Shuang-Hong , Wang Zhe-Zhi
Published: September 2015

Jasmonates (JAs) are plant-specific key signaling molecules that respond to various stimuli and are involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites. However, little is known about the JA signal pathway, especially in economically significant medicinal plants. To determine the functions of novel genes that participate in the JA-mediated accumulation of secondary metabolites, we examined the metabolomic and transcriptomic signatures from Salvia miltiorrhiza. For the metabolome, 35 representative metabolites showing significant changes in rates of accumulation were extracted and identified. We also screened out 2131 differentially expressed unigenes, of which 30 were involeved in the phenolic secondary metabolic pathway, while 25 were in the JA biosynthesis and signal pathways. Among several MeJA-induced novel genes, SmJAZ8 was selected for detailed functional analysis. Transgenic plants over-expressing SmJAZ8 exhibited a JA-insensitive phenotype, suggesting that the gene is a transcriptional regulator in the JA signal pathway of S. miltiorrhiza. Furthermore, this transgenic tool revealed that JAZ genes have novel function in the constitutive accumulation of secondary metabolites. Based on these findings, we propose that the combined strategy of transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses is valuable for efficient discovery of novel genes in plants.
Erratum: 2D map projections for visualization and quantitative analysis of 3D fluorescence micrographs
Authors: Hernán Sendra G. , Hoerth Christian H. , Wunder Christian , Lorenz Holger
Published: September 2015

We introduce Map3-2D, a freely available software to accurately project up to five-dimensional (5D) fluorescence microscopy image data onto full-content 2D maps. Similar to the Earth’s projection onto cartographic maps, Map3-2D unfolds surface information from a stack of images onto a single, structurally connected map. We demonstrate its applicability for visualization and quantitative analyses of spherical and uneven surfaces in fixed and dynamic live samples by using mammalian and yeast cells, and giant unilamellar vesicles. Map3-2D software is available at http://www.zmbh.uni-heidelberg.de//Central_Services/Imaging_Facility/Map3-2D.html.
Engineering protein processing of the mammary gland to produce abundant hemophilia B therapy in milk
Authors: Zhao Jianguo , Xu Weijie , Ross Jason W. , Walters Eric M. , Butler Stephen P. , Whyte Jeff J. , Kelso Lindsey , Fatemi Mostafa , Vanderslice Nicholas C. , Giroux Keith , Spate Lee D. , Samuel Melissa S. , Murphy Cliff N. , Wells Kevin D. , Masiello Nick C. , Prather Randall S. , Velander William H.
Published: September 2015

Both the low animal cell density of bioreactors and their ability to post-translationally process recombinant factor IX (rFIX) limit hemophilia B therapy to <20% of the world’s population. We used transgenic pigs to make rFIX in milk at about 3,000-fold higher output than provided by industrial bioreactors. However, this resulted in incomplete γ-carboxylation and propeptide cleavage where both processes are transmembrane mediated. We then bioengineered the co-expression of truncated, soluble human furin (rFurin) with pro-rFIX at a favorable enzyme to substrate ratio. This resulted in the complete conversion of pro-rFIX to rFIX while yielding a normal lactation. Importantly, these high levels of propeptide processing by soluble rFurin did not preempt γ-carboxylation in the ER and therefore was compartmentalized to the Trans-Golgi Network (TGN) and also to milk. The Golgi specific engineering demonstrated here segues the ER targeted enhancement of γ-carboxylation needed to biomanufacture coagulation proteins like rFIX using transgenic livestock.
Adaptation of Lactococcus lactis to high growth temperature leads to a dramatic increase in acidification rate
Authors: Chen Jun , Shen Jing , Ingvar Hellgren Lars , Ruhdal Jensen Peter , Solem Christian
Published: September 2015

Lactococcus lactis is essential for most cheese making and this mesophilic bacterium has its growth optimum around 30 °C. We have, through adaptive evolution, isolated a mutant TM29 that grows well up to 39 °C and continuous growth at 40 °C is possible if pre-incubated at a slightly lower temperature. At the maximal permissive temperature for the wild-type, 38 °C, TM29 grows 33% faster and has a 12% higher specific lactate production rate than its parent MG1363, which results in fast lactate accumulation. Genome sequencing was used to reveal the mutations accumulated, most of which were shown to affect thermal tolerance. Of the mutations with more pronounced effects, two affected expression of single proteins (chaperone; riboflavin transporter), two had pleiotropic effects (RNA polymerase) which changed the gene expression profile and one resulted in a change in the coding sequence of CDP-diglyceride synthase. A large deletion containing 10 genes was also found to affect thermal tolerance significantly. With this study we demonstrate a simple approach to obtain non-GMO derivatives of the important L. lactis that possess properties desirable by the industry, e.g. thermal robustness and increased rate of acidification. The mutations we have identified provide a genetic basis for further investigation of thermal tolerance.
Large rectification magnetoresistance in nonmagnetic Al/Ge/Al heterojunctions
Authors: Zhang Kun , Li Huan-huan , Grünberg Peter , Li Qiang , Ye Sheng-tao , Tian Yu-feng , Yan Shi-shen , Lin Zhao-jun , Kang Shi-shou , Chen Yan-xue , Liu Guo-lei , Mei Liang-mo
Published: September 2015

Magnetoresistance and rectification are two fundamental physical properties of heterojunctions and respectively have wide applications in spintronics devices. Being different from the well known various magnetoresistance effects, here we report a brand new large magnetoresistance that can be regarded as rectification magnetoresistance: the application of a pure small sinusoidal alternating-current to the nonmagnetic Al/Ge Schottky heterojunctions can generate a significant direct-current voltage and this rectification voltage strongly varies with the external magnetic field. We find that the rectification magnetoresistance in Al/Ge Schottky heterojunctions is as large as 250% at room temperature, which is greatly enhanced as compared with the conventional magnetoresistance of 70%. The findings of rectification magnetoresistance open the way to the new nonmagnetic Ge-based spintronics devices of large rectification magnetoresistance at ambient temperature under the alternating-current due to the simultaneous implementation of the rectification and magnetoresistance in the same devices.
The brain antigen-specific B cell response correlates with glatiramer acetate responsiveness in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Rovituso Damiano M. , Duffy Cathrina E. , Schroeter Michael , Kaiser Claudia C. , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Bayas Antonios , Elsner Rebecca , Kuerten Stefanie
Published: September 2015

B cells have only recently begun to attract attention in the immunopathology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Suitable markers for the prediction of treatment success with immunomodulatory drugs are still missing. Here we evaluated the B cell response to brain antigens in n = 34 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients treated with glatiramer acetate (GA) using the enzyme-linked immunospot technique (ELISPOT). Our data demonstrate that patients can be subdivided into responders that show brain-specific B cell reactivity in the blood and patients without this reactivity. Only in patients that classified as B cell responders, there was a significant positive correlation between treatment duration and the time since last relapse in our study. This correlation was GA-specific because it was absent in a control group that consisted of interferon-ß (IFN-β)-treated RRMS patients (n = 23). These data suggest that GA has an effect on brain-reactive B cells in a subset of patients and that only this subset benefits from treatment. The detection of brain-reactive B cells is likely to be a suitable tool to identify drug responders.
Predicting the Lifetime of Dynamic Networks Experiencing Persistent Random Attacks
Authors: Podobnik Boris , Lipic Tomislav , Horvatic Davor , Majdandzic Antonio , Bishop Steven R. , Eugene Stanley H.
Published: September 2015

Estimating the critical points at which complex systems abruptly flip from one state to another is one of the remaining challenges in network science. Due to lack of knowledge about the underlying stochastic processes controlling critical transitions, it is widely considered difficult to determine the location of critical points for real-world networks and it is even more difficult to predict the time at which these potentially catastrophic failures occur. We analyse a class of decaying dynamic networks experiencing persistent failures in which the magnitude of the overall failure is quantified by the probability that a potentially permanent internal failure will occur. When the fraction of active neighbours is reduced to a critical threshold, cascading failures can trigger a total network failure. For this class of network we find that the time to network failure, which is equivalent to network lifetime, is inversely dependent upon the magnitude of the failure and logarithmically dependent on the threshold. We analyse how permanent failures affect network robustness using network lifetime as a measure. These findings provide new methodological insight into system dynamics and, in particular, of the dynamic processes of networks. We illustrate the network model by selected examples from biology and social science.
Re-calibration of the magnetic compass in hand-raised European robins (Erithacus rubecula)
Authors: Alert Bianca , Michalik Andreas , Thiele Nadine , Bottesch Michael , Mouritsen Henrik
Published: September 2015

Migratory birds can use a variety of environmental cues for orientation. A primary calibration between the celestial and magnetic compasses seems to be fundamental prior to a bird’s first autumn migration. Releasing hand-raised or rescued young birds back into the wild might therefore be a problem because they might not have established a functional orientation system during their first calendar year. Here, we test whether hand-raised European robins that did not develop any functional compass before or during their first autumn migration could relearn to orient if they were exposed to natural celestial cues during the subsequent winter and spring. When tested in the geomagnetic field without access to celestial cues, these birds could orient in their species-specific spring migratory direction. In contrast, control birds that were deprived of any natural celestial cues throughout remained unable to orient. Our experiments suggest that European robins are still capable of establishing a functional orientation system after their first autumn. Although the external reference remains speculative, most likely, natural celestial cues enabled our birds to calibrate their magnetic compass. Our data suggest that avian compass systems are more flexible than previously believed and have implications for the release of hand-reared migratory birds.
An Abiotic Glass-Bead Collector Exhibiting Active Transport
Authors: Goto Youhei , Kanda Masato , Yamamoto Daigo , Shioi Akihisa
Published: September 2015

Animals relocate objects as needed by active motion. Active transport is ubiquitous in living organisms but has been difficult to realize in abiotic systems. Here we show that a self-propelled droplet can gather scattered beads toward one place on a floor and sweep it clean. This is a biomimetic active transport with loadings and unloadings, because the transport was performed by a carrier and the motion of the carrier was maintained by the energy of the chemical reaction. The oil droplet produced fluctuation of the local number density of the beads on the floor, followed by its autocatalytic growth. This mechanism may inspire the technologies based on active transport wherein chemical and physical substances migrate as in living organisms.
A triple-amplification colorimetric assay for antibiotics based on magnetic aptamer–enzyme co-immobilized platinum nanoprobes and exonuclease-assisted target recycling
Authors: Miao Yangbao , Gan Ning , Ren Hong-Xia , Li Tianhua , Cao Yuting , Hu Futao , Yan Zhongdan , Chen Yinji
Published: September 2015

Herein, an ultrasensitive and selective colorimetric assay for antibiotics was developed based on magnetic aptamer–HRP–platinum composite probes and exonuclease-assisted target recycling.
Feroxyhyte nanoflakes coupled to up-converting carbon nanodots: a highly active, magnetically recoverable, Fenton-like photocatalyst in the visible-NIR range
Authors: Ortega-Liebana M. C. , Hueso J. L. , Larrea A. , Sebastian V. , Santamaria J.
Published: September 2015

Magnetic traffic-lights for photocatalysis: a novel nanohybrid combining feroxyhyte nanoflakes and upconverting carbon nanolights extends the activity range towards the near-infrared using inexpensive LED illumination.
Synthesis of highly strained bicyclic[3.n.1]alkenes by a metal-catalyzed Conia-ene reaction
Authors: Kallepu Shivakrishna , Gollapelli Krishna Kumar , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu , Chegondi Rambabu
Published: September 2015

A high yielding metal-catalysed Conia-ene reaction of 2-acetylenic ketones for the synthesis of bicyclo[3.n.1]alkenes has been developed.
Probing the interaction of Rh, Co and bimetallic Rh–Co nanoparticles with the CeO2 support: catalytic materials for alternative energy generation
Authors: Varga E. , Pusztai P. , Óvári L. , Oszkó A. , Erdőhelyi A. , Papp C. , Steinrück H.-P. , Kónya Z. , Kiss J.
Published: September 2015

Significant Rh agglomerization occurs and oxygen transfer from ceria to Rh takes place. Co induces the formation of smaller crystallites of ceria. Strong dissolution of Co is experienced.
On the effect of sodium salts on the coil-to-globule transition of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)
Authors: Pica Andrea , Graziano Giuseppe
Published: September 2015

Addition of sodium salts to water increases the density, thereby increasing the magnitude of the solvent-excluded volume effect and stabilizing the globule state of PNIPAM.
A novel, efficient, and recyclable biocatalyst for Michael addition reactions and its iron(iii) complex as promoter for alkyl oxidation reactions
Authors: Khalil Khaled D. , Ibrahim Enas I. , Al-Sagheer Fakhreia A.
Published: September 2015

A novel, efficient, and recyclable biocatalyst for Michael addition reactions and its iron(iii) complex as promoter for alkyl oxidation reactions.
Identifying systematic DFT errors in catalytic reactions
Authors: Christensen Rune , Hansen Heine A. , Vegge Tejs
Published: September 2015

Using CO2 reduction reactions as examples, we present a widely applicable method for identifying the main source of errors in density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Oxidation of olefins with H2O2 catalysed by salts of group III metals (Ga, In, Sc, Y and La): epoxidation versus hydroperoxidation
Authors: Novikov Alexander S. , Kuznetsov Maxim L. , Rocha Bruno G. M. , Pombeiro Armando J. L. , Shul'pin Georgiy B.
Published: September 2015

Simple soluble salts of the group III metals (Ga, In, Sc, Y and La) exhibit catalytic activity towards oxidation of olefins with H2O2via two competitive channels (i.e. allylic hydroperoxidation and epoxidation).
Synthesis and structural characterization of AMV2O8(A = K, Rb, Tl, Cs; M = Nb, Ta) vanadates: a structural comparison of A+M5+V2O8vanadates and A+M5+P2O8phosphates
Authors: Paidi Anil Kumar , Devi R. Nandini , Vidyasagar Kanamaluru
Published: September 2015

Three types of [MV2O8]−anionic frame works of twelve new and known A+M5+V2O8vanadates are built from different modes of connectivity of [M2V4O18] ribbons.
Analyzing a fractal gel of charged oblate nanoparticles in a suspension using time-resolved rheometry and DLVO theory
Authors: Jatav Shweta , Joshi Yogesh M.
Published: September 2015

The disk-like nanoparticles of LAPONITE® are known to self-assemble to form a fractal gel within hours after a sufficiently large concentration of LAPONITE® is dispersed in water containing salt. The concentration of sodium counterions associated with LAPONITE® particles, however, continues to increase over a period of days, suggesting that delamination of LAPONITE® disks from stacks is sluggish and/or dissociation of counterions is slow. In either case, spontaneous self-assembly of LAPONITE® particles occurs even though delamination and/or counterion dissociation has not reached its equilibrium state. In order to determine the nature of the fractal gel as the extent of delamination and/or dissociation progresses towards equilibrium, we subject the LAPONITE® suspension to a freezing–defrosting cycle, which interestingly reinitiates the gelation process in suspension afresh. Application of time-resolved rheometry to a defrosted suspension shows that iso-frequency loss tangent curves intersect at an identical point, validating the Winter–Chambon criterion for a critical fractal gel state. Interestingly, while the time required to form a critical gel is observed to decrease with increased time elapsed since preparation, at which freezing–defrosting is carried out, the fractal dimension of the critical gel is observed to remain unaffected. We also solve DLVO theory for free energy interactions between the negatively charged LAPONITE® particle faces and analyze the observed phenomena.
NMR-based investigation of the Drosophila melanogaster metabolome under the influence of daily cycles of light and temperature
Authors: Gogna Navdeep , Singh Viveka Jagdish , Sheeba Vasu , Dorai Kavita
Published: September 2015

This work presents an NMR-based metabolomic approach to study metabolic processes inD. melanogasterthat exhibit a diurnal rhythm.
Frontiers of organo-f-element chemistry
Authors: Edelmann Frank T. , Junk Peter
Published: September 2015

A collection of papers presented at the Pacifichem 2015 symposium "Frontiers of Organo-f-Element Chemistry" held in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
Micro-dressing of a carbon nanotube array with MoS2gauze
Authors: Lim Sharon Xiaodai , Woo Kah Whye , Ng Junju , Lu Junpeng , Kwang Siu Yi , Zhang Zheng , Tok Eng Soon , Sow Chorng-Haur
Published: September 2015

Micro-dressing of a carbon nanotube array with MoS2gauze.
An efficient and practical synthesis of [2-11C]indole via superfast nucleophilic [11C]cyanation and RANEY® Nickel catalyzed reductive cyclization
Authors: Lee So Jeong , Fowler Joanna S. , Alexoff David , Schueller Michael , Kim Dohyun , Nauth Alexander , Weber Carina , Kim Sung Won , Hooker Jacob M. , Ma Ling , Qu Wenchao
Published: September 2015

Superfast nucleophilic [11C]cyanation and RANEY® Ni catalyzed reductive cyclization for synthesis of [2-11C]indole.
Remendable thermosetting polymers for isocyanate-free adhesives: a preliminary study
Authors: Dolci Elena , Michaud Guillaume , Simon Frédéric , Boutevin Bernard , Fouquay Stéphane , Caillol Sylvain
Published: September 2015

Based on a model study, a new bis-cyclic monomer bearing a Diels–Alder adduct was synthesized. This monomer was polymerized with a diamine to yield a thermoresponsive polyhydroxyurethane (PHU). This PHU is remendable at around 100 °C by retro Diels–Alder reaction.
Intramolecular energy transfer dynamics in differently linked zinc porphyrin–dithiaporphyrin dyads
Authors: Ghosh R. , Yedukondalu M. , Ravikanth M. , Palit D. K.
Published: September 2015

Intramolecular energy transfer dynamics in two molecular dyads, in which zinc porphyrin and dithiaporphyrin units were linked covalently, were studied by ultrafast time-resolved transient absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques.
CoMoO4and Ni1/3Co2/3MoO4nanosheets with high performance supercapacitor and nonenzymatic glucose detection properties
Authors: Zhang Jingchao , Zhang Renchun , Song Pingping , Zhao Jingli , Guo Xueying , Zhang Daojun , Yuan Baiqing
Published: September 2015

Novel CoMoO4and Ni1/3Co2/3MoO4nanosheets were synthesized by a time-saving solvothermal method, and exhibited excellent supercapacitor properties and electrocatalytic activity towards glucose oxidation.
Fractionation of carboxylate anions from aqueous solution using chitosan cross-linked sorbent materials
Authors: Mohamed M. H. , Udoetok I. A. , Wilson L. D. , Headley J. V.
Published: September 2015

The sorptive uptake properties are reported for chitosan and cross-linked chitosan–glutaraldehyde (CG) polymers with single component and mixtures of carboxylic acids (surrogates; Si, i = 1–4).
Simultaneous enhancement of Raman scattering and fluorescence emission on graphene quantum dot-spiky magnetoplasmonic supra-particle composite films
Authors: Zhou Hongjian , Zou Fengming , Tran Van Tan , Lee Jaebeom
Published: September 2015

Graphene quantum dot-spiky magnetoplasmonic supraparticle composite films were constructed with the layer-by-layer assembly method for the simultaneous enhancement of Raman scattering and fluorescence emission.
Ultrathin amorphous silicon thin-film solar cells by magnetic plasmonic metamaterial absorbers
Authors: Tang Chaojun , Yan Zhendong , Wang Qiugu , Chen Jing , Zhu Mingwei , Liu Bo , Liu Fanxin , Sui Chenghua
Published: September 2015

Energy harvesting in metamaterial-based solar cells containing an ultrathin α-Si film sandwiched between a silver (Ag) substrate and a square array of Ag nanodisks and combined with an indium tin oxide (ITO) anti-reflection layer is investigated.
Solvent-controlled formation of four Ni(ii) coordination polymers based on a flexible bis(imidazole) ligand: syntheses, structural diversification, properties
Authors: Li Xiu-Yuan , Liu Xia-Xia , Yue Ke-Fen , Wu Ya-Pan , He Tian , Yan Ni , Wang Yao-Yu
Published: September 2015

Four new isomeric Ni(ii) coordination polymers with different architectures and properties were successfully synthesized by tuning the solvent media.
Synthesis of degradable multi-segmented polymers via Michael-addition thiol–ene step-growth polymerization
Authors: Vandenbergh Joke , Ramakers Gijs , van Lokeren Luk , van Assche Guy , Junkers Tanja
Published: September 2015

Degradable multi-segmented poly(β-thioester) linear polymers and networks are synthesized via step-growth thiol–ene polymerization of diacrylates with telechelic dithiol polystyrene and poly(isobornylacrylate) precursor polymers.
Isolation of +2 rare earth metal ions with three anionic carbocyclic rings: bimetallic bis(cyclopentadienyl) reduced arene complexes of La2+ and Ce2+ are four electron reductants
Authors: Kotyk Christopher M. , Fieser Megan E. , Palumbo Chad T. , Ziller Joseph W. , Darago Lucy E. , Long Jeffrey R. , Furche Filipp , Evans William J.
Published: September 2015

A new option for stabilizing unusual Ln2+ ions has been identified in the reaction of (C5H4SiMe3)3Ln (Ln = La, Ce) with potassium graphite and 2.2.2-cryptand in benzene.
Self-improving anodes for lithium-ion batteries: continuous interlamellar spacing expansion induced capacity increase in polydopamine-derived nitrogen-doped carbon tubes during cycling
Authors: Liu Yuan , Yan Xiaodong , Yu Yunhua , Yang Xiaoping
Published: September 2015

An interlamellar spacing expansion induced capacity increase during cycling is revealed for polydopamine-derived nitrogen-doped carbon tubes as lithium-ion anode materials.
Precursor-directed synthesis of well-faceted brookite TiO2 single crystals for efficient photocatalytic performances
Authors: Xu Yangsen , Lin Haifeng , Li Liping , Huang Xinsong , Li Guangshe
Published: September 2015

Quasi octahedral, ellipsoid-tipped and wedge-tipped brookite TiO2 nanorods were tailored and synthesized via a water-soluble titanium precursor directed strategy.
MOF-derived porous hollow Co3O4parallelepipeds for building high-performance Li-ion batteries
Authors: Han Yan , Zhao Mengli , Dong Lei , Feng Jianmin , Wang Yijing , Li Dejun , Li Xifei
Published: September 2015

Porous hollow Co3O4parallelepipeds derived from a novel Co-MOF exhibit enhanced electrochemical performance when used as an anode material for LIBs.
Separating bulk from grain boundary Li ion conductivity in the sol–gel prepared solid electrolyte Li1.5Al0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3
Authors: Breuer Stefan , Prutsch Denise , Ma Qianli , Epp Viktor , Preishuber-Pflügl Florian , Tietz Frank , Wilkening Martin
Published: September 2015

Impedance spectroscopy measurements down to very low temperatures allowed for resolving bulk ion transport properties in highly conducting ceramic electrolytes.
Architecture-controlled synthesis of MxOy (M = Ni, Fe, Cu) microfibres from seaweed biomass for high-performance lithium ion battery anodes
Authors: Lv Chunxiao , Yang Xianfeng , Umar Ahmad , Xia Yanzhi , Jia Yi(Alec) , Shang Lu , Zhang Tierui , Yang Dongjiang
Published: September 2015

A general strategy has been developed to fabricate high-performance microfibrous MxOy anodes (M = Ni, Fe, Cu) composed of delicate nanostrcutures for LIBs using seaweed fibres as templates.
Free-standing and binder-free highly N-doped carbon/sulfur cathodes with tailorable loading for high-areal-capacity lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Schneider A. , Suchomski C. , Sommer H. , Janek J. , Brezesinski T.
Published: September 2015

A practical high-loading Li–S battery is realized by using free-standing and highly conductive N-doped carbon paper as sulfur host.
Artificial leaf device for hydrogen generation from immobilised C. reinhardtii microalgae
Authors: Das Anupam A. K. , Esfahani Mohammad M. N. , Velev Orlin D. , Pamme Nicole , Paunov Vesselin N.
Published: September 2015

We have engineered a hydrogen generating device replicating the function of a leaf undergoing photosynthesis based on fabric-immobilized microalgae culture with controlled perfusion with nutrients and collection of hydrogen through parallel microchannel networks.
Facile and fast fabrication of polyaniline nanorods on acidized titanium foils with a synergistic effect for electrochemical sensing
Authors: Zhang Lei , Cai Honglian , Zhou Cuisong , Wang Congmin , Long Yuyin , Li Xiaoqin , Xiao Dan
Published: September 2015

A facile method to quickly construct polyaniline nanorods (PANI-NR) on acidized titanium (Ti) foils was reported.
An acyclic enediyne with a furyl tethering group for efficient inhibition of tumor cell viability
Authors: Song Depeng , Tian Yu , Huang Shuai , Li Baojun , Yuan Yuan , Hu Aiguo
Published: September 2015

An acyclic enediyne with a furyl tethering group and two pH-sensitive orthoester groups at the alkynyl termini was synthesized. The introduction of a furyl tethering group represents a new design strategy of “intelligent” antitumor antibiotics that can distinguish tumor and normal cells.
Simultaneous luminescence modulation and magnetic field detection via magneto-optical response of Eu3+-doped NaGdF4 nanocrystals
Authors: Zhang Yuanhao , Xiao Quanlan , He Huilin , Zhang Junpei , Dong Guoping , Han Junbo , Qiu Jianrong
Published: September 2015

Magnetic confinement of f electrons wave functions and magnetic field assistant cross relaxation mechanism was firstly built for optical variation.
Combinatorial insights into doping control and transport properties of zinc tin nitride
Authors: Fioretti Angela N. , Zakutayev Andriy , Moutinho Helio , Melamed Celeste , Perkins John D. , Norman Andrew G. , Al-Jassim Mowafak , Toberer Eric S. , Tamboli Adele C.
Published: September 2015

A combinatorial study on semiconducting ZnSnN2, in which the lowest carrier density yet reported for as-deposited films is achieved, wurtzite crystal structure is confirmed, and optical bandgap is established at 1.0 eV.
Effective power dispatch capability decision method for a wind‐battery hybrid power system
Authors: Nguyen Cong‐Long , Lee Hong‐Hee
Published: September 2015

With integration of a battery energy storage system (BESS) into the wind power system, the wind power variation can be mitigated to dispatch a constant power to the grid. To effectively supply the constant power dispatch to the grid with a limited BESS, the power dispatch capability should be defined primarily at beginning of each dispatching interval to cooperate with the transmission system operator. This study introduces a method to determine the power dispatch capability of a wind‐battery hybrid power system with the minimal battery capacity. The power dispatch capability is decided under the condition that the battery power is maintained below its rating and that the state of charge of the battery is guaranteed within a safe range. For economic BESS operation, the battery capacity, including the power and energy ratings, is also determined cost‐effectively to obtain the constant power dispatch. Based on the long‐term wind power profile, the authors develop the determination process to minimise the battery capacity which ensures that the BESS sufficiently mitigates wind power variation to dispatch the constant power into grid under all wind conditions. To evaluate the proposed determination method, a case study is carried out with a 3‐MW wind turbine generator and real wind speed data measured on Jeju Island in Korea.
Self-assembly growth of alloyed NiPt nanocrystals with holothuria-like shape for oxygen evolution reaction with enhanced catalytic activity
Authors: Ding Tao , Wang Wenliang , Zhou Xiaoli , Zhang Li , Wang Chunde , Jiang Jun , Yang Weilai , Yang Qing
Published: September 2015

Self-assembly growth of alloyed NiPt nanocrystals with holothuria-like wire shape has been achieved via a facile and moderate hydrothermal process at 120 °C for 1 h from the reaction of nickel nitrate and chloroplatinic acid in alkaline solution in the presence of ethanediamine and hydrazine hydrate. The holothuria-like alloyed NiPt wires are Ni-rich in composition (Ni23.6Pt) and uniform in diameter with many tiny tips outstretched from the wires surface. The holothuria-like wires are assembled from granular subunits with the assistance of capping molecular of ethanediamine and the wires display an improved oxygen evolution reaction catalytic activity.