bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular switches of the κ opioid receptor triggered by 6′-GNTI and 5′-GNTI
Authors: Cheng Jianxin , Sun Xianqiang , Li Weihua , Liu Guixia , Tu Yaoquan , Tang Yun
Published: January 2016

The κ opioid receptor (κOR) is a member of G-protein-coupled receptors and is considered as a promising drug target for treating neurological diseases. κOR selective 6′-GNTI was proved to be a G-protein biased agonist, whereas 5′-GNTI acts as an antagonist. To investigate the molecular mechanism of how these two ligands induce different behaviors of the receptor, we built two systems containing the 5′-GNTI-κOR complex and the 6′-GNTI-κOR complex, respectively and performed molecular dynamics simulations of the two systems. We observe that transmembrane (TM) helix 6 of the κOR rotates about 4.6oon average in the κOR-6′-GNTI complex. Detailed analyses of the simulation results indicate that E2976.58and I2946.55play crucial roles in the rotation of TM6. In the simulation of the κOR-5′-GNTI system, it is revealed that 5′-GNTI can stabilize TM6 in the inactive state form. In addition, the kink of TM7 is stabilized by a hydrogen bond between S3247.47and the residue V691.42on TM1.
NAADP-Dependent Ca2+ Signaling Controls Melanoma Progression, Metastatic Dissemination and Neoangiogenesis
Authors: Favia Annarita , Pafumi Irene , Desideri Marianna , Padula Fabrizio , Montesano Camilla , Passeri Daniela , Nicoletti Carmine , Orlandi Augusto , Del Bufalo Donatella , Sergi Manuel , Ziparo Elio , Palombi Fioretta , Filippini Antonio
Published: January 2016

A novel transduction pathway for the powerful angiogenic factor VEGF has been recently shown in endothelial cells to operate through NAADP-controlled intracellular release of Ca2+. In the present report the possible involvement of NAADP-controlled Ca2+ signaling in tumor vascularization, growth and metastatic dissemination was investigated in a murine model of VEGF-secreting melanoma. Mice implanted with B16 melanoma cells were treated with NAADP inhibitor Ned-19 every second day for 4 weeks and tumor growth, vascularization and metastatization were evaluated. Control specimens developed well vascularized tumors and lung metastases, whereas in Ned-19-treated mice tumor growth and vascularization as well as lung metastases were strongly inhibited. In vitro experiments showed that Ned-19 treatment controls the growth of B16 cells in vitro, their migratory ability, adhesive properties and VEGFR2 expression, indicating NAADP involvement in intercellular autocrine signaling. To this regard, Ca2+ imaging experiments showed that the response of B16 cells to VEGF stimulation is NAADP-dependent. The whole of these observations indicate that NAADP-controlled Ca2+ signaling can be relevant not only for neoangiogenesis but also for direct control of tumor cells.
Mammalian autophagy is essential for hepatic and renal ketogenesis during starvation
Authors: Takagi Ayano , Kume Shinji , Kondo Motoyuki , Nakazawa Jun , Chin-Kanasaki Masami , Araki Hisazumi , Araki Shin-ichi , Koya Daisuke , Haneda Masakazu , Chano Tokuhiro , Matsusaka Taiji , Nagao Kenji , Adachi Yusuke , Chan Lawrence , Maegawa Hiroshi , Uzu Takashi
Published: January 2016

Autophagy is an intracellular degradation system activated, across species, by starvation. Although accumulating evidence has shown that mammalian autophagy is involved in pathogenesis of several modern diseases, its physiological role to combat starvation has not been fully clarified. In this study, we analysed starvation-induced gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis in mouse strains lacking autophagy in liver, skeletal muscle or kidney. Autophagy-deficiency in any tissue had no effect on gluconeogenesis during starvation. Though skeletal muscle- and kidney-specific autophagy-deficiency did not alter starvation-induced increases in blood ketone levels, liver-specific autophagy-deficiency significantly attenuated this effect. Interestingly, renal as well as hepatic expression of HMG-CoA synthase 2 increased with prolonged starvation. Furthermore, during starvation, mice lacking autophagy both in liver and kidney showed even lower blood ketone levels and physical activity than mice lacking autophagy only in liver. Starvation induced massive lipid droplet formation in extra-adipose tissues including liver and kidney, which was essential for ketogenesis. Moreover, this process was impaired in the autophagy-deficient liver and kidney. These findings demonstrate that hepatic and renal autophagy are essential for starvation-induced lipid droplet formation and subsequent ketogenesis and, ultimately, for maintaining systemic energy homeostasis. Our findings provide novel biological insights into adaptive mechanisms to combat starvation in mammals.
Resolvin D4 stereoassignment and its novel actions in host protection and bacterial clearance
Authors: Winkler Jeremy W. , Orr Sarah K. , Dalli Jesmond , Cheng Chien-Yee C. , Sanger Julia M. , Chiang Nan , Petasis Nicos A. , Serhan Charles N.
Published: January 2016

Resolvins of the D-series are specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators that regulate cellular response by orchestrating resolution networks involved in host responses to injury and infection. Here, endogenous resolvin D4 was identified in human tissues and found to persist late into the resolution phase of acute murine Staphylococcus aureus infections. Completion of the first total synthesis of resolvin D4 established the absolute stereochemical configuration of RvD4 confirmed by matching with endogenous RvD4 from resolving exudates in dorsal pouch S. aureus infections. In vivo, RvD4 (ng/mouse) reduced neutrophilic infiltration (~40%) and enhanced uptake of apoptotic PMN (51%) by human dermal fibroblasts at concentrations as low as 0.1 nM. These results establish the complete stereochemistry of RvD4 as 4S,5R,17S-trihydroxydocosa-6E,8E,10Z,13Z,15E,19Z-hexaenoic acid and its novel pro-resolving actions in S. aureus infections as well as its potent ability to stimulate clearance of apoptotic cells by skin fibroblasts.
Deciphering the streamlined genome of Streptomyces xiamenensis 318 as the producer of the anti-fibrotic drug candidate xiamenmycin
Authors: XU Min-Juan , WANG Jia-Hua , BU Xu-Liang , YU He-Lin , LI Peng , OU Hong-Yu , HE Ying , XU Fang-Di , HU Xiao-Yan , Zhu Xiao-Mei , AO Ping , Xu Jun
Published: January 2016

Streptomyces xiamenensis 318, a moderate halophile isolated from a mangrove sediment, produces the anti-fibrotic compound xiamenmycin. The whole genome sequence of strain 318 was obtained through long-read single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing, high-throughput Illumina HiSeq and 454 pyrosequencing technologies. The assembled genome comprises a linear chromosome as a single contig of 5,961,401-bp, which is considerably smaller than other reported complete genomes of the genus Streptomyces. Based on the antiSMASH pipeline, a total of 21 gene clusters were predicted to be involved in secondary metabolism. The gene cluster responsible for the biosynthesis of xiamenmycin resides in a strain-specific 61,387-bp genomic island belonging to the left-arm region. A core metabolic network consisting of 104 reactions that supports xiamenmycin biosynthesis was constructed to illustrate the necessary precursors derived from the central metabolic pathway. In accordance with the finding of a putative ikarugamycin gene cluster in the genome, the targeted chemical profiling of polycyclic tetramate macrolactams (PTMs) resulted in the identification of ikarugamycin. A successful genome mining for bioactive molecules with different skeletons suggests that the naturally minimized genome of S. xiamenensis 318 could be used as a blueprint for constructing a chassis cell with versatile biosynthetic capabilities for the production of secondary metabolites.
Overexpression of SIRT6 in the hippocampal CA1 impairs the formation of long-term contextual fear memory
Authors: Yin Xi , Gao Yuan , Shi Hai-Shui , Song Li , Wang Jie-Chao , Shao Juan , Geng Xu-Hong , Xue Gai , Li Jian-Li , Hou Yan-Ning
Published: January 2016

Histone modifications have been implicated in learning and memory. Our previous transcriptome data showed that expression of sirtuins 6 (SIRT6), a member of Histone deacetylases (HDACs) family in the hippocampal cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) was decreased after contextual fear conditioning. However, the role of SIRT6 in the formation of memory is still elusive. In the present study, we found that contextual fear conditioning inhibited translational expression of SIRT6 in the CA1. Microinfusion of lentiviral vector-expressing SIRT6 into theCA1 region selectively enhanced the expression of SIRT6 and impaired the formation of long-term contextual fear memory without affecting short-term fear memory. The overexpression of SIRT6 in the CA1 had no effect on anxiety-like behaviors or locomotor activity. Also, we also found that SIRT6 overexpression significantly inhibited the expression of insulin-like factor 2 (IGF2) and amounts of proteins and/or phosphoproteins (e.g. Akt, pAkt, mTOR and p-mTOR) related to the IGF2 signal pathway in the CA1. These results demonstrate that the overexpression of SIRT6 in the CA1 impaired the formation of long-term fear memory and SIRT6 in the CA1 may negatively modulate the formation of contextual fear memory via inhibiting the IGF signaling pathway.
Magnetic Properties Controlled by Interstitial or Interlayer Cations in Iron Chalcogenides
Authors: Tang Shan-Chang , Ding Ming-Cui , Zhang Yu-Zhong
Published: January 2016

By applying density functional theory calculations to iron chalcogenides, we find that magnetic order in Fe1+yTe and magnetic instability at (π, π) in KyFe2Se2 are controlled by interstitial and interlayer cations, respectively. While in Fe1+yTe, magnetic phase transitions occur among collinear, exotic bicollinear and plaquette-ordered antiferronmagnetic states when the height of interstitial irons measured from iron plane or the concentration of interstitial irons is varied, the magnetic instability at (π, π) which is believed to be responsible for the Cooper pairing in iron pnictides is significantly enhanced when y is much smaller than 1 in KyFe2Se2. Our results indicate that, similar to iron pnictides, itinerant electrons play important roles in iron chalcogenides, even though the fluctuating local moments become larger.
Acute Exposure to Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) Phosphate (TDCIPP) Causes Hepatic Inflammation and Leads to Hepatotoxicity in Zebrafish
Authors: Liu Chunsheng , Su Guanyong , Giesy John P. , Letcher Robert J. , Li Guangyu , Agrawal Ira , Li Jing , Yu Liqin , Wang Jianghua , Gong Zhiyuan
Published: January 2016

Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) has been frequently detected in environmental media and has adverse health effect on wildlife and humans. It has been implicated to have hepatotoxicity, but its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, adult male zebrafish were exposed to TDCIPP and global hepatic gene expression was examined by RNA-Seq and RT-qPCR in order to understand the molecular mechanisms of TDCIPP-induced hepatotoxicity. Our results indicated that TDCIPP exposure significantly up-regulated the expression of genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway, implying an inflammatory response, which was supported by up-regulation of inflammation-related biomaker genes. Hepatic inflammation was further confirmed by histological observation of increase of infiltrated neutrophils and direct observation of liver recruitment of neutrophils labeled with Ds-Red fluorescent protein of Tg(lysC:DsRed) zebrafish upon TDCIPP exposure. To further characterize the hepatotoxicity of TDCIPP, the expression of hepatotoxicity biomarker genes, liver histopathology and morphology were examined. The exposure to TDCIPP significantly up-regulated the expression of several biomarker genes for hepatotoxicity (gck, gsr and nqo1) and caused hepatic vacuolization and apoptosis as well as increase of the liver size. Collectively, our results suggest that exposure to TDCIPP induces hepatic inflammation and leads to hepatotoxicity in zebrafish.
Dihydroartemisinin prevents breast cancer-induced osteolysis via inhibiting both breast caner cells and osteoclasts
Authors: Feng Ming-Xuan , Hong Jian-Xin , Wang Qiang , Fan Yong-Yong , Yuan Chi-Ting , Lei Xin-Huan , Zhu Min , Qin An , Chen Hai-Xiao , Hong Dun
Published: January 2016

Bone is the most common site of distant relapse in breast cancer, leading to severe complications which dramatically affect the patients’ quality of life. It is believed that the crosstalk between metastatic breast cancer cells and osteoclasts is critical for breast cancer-induced osteolysis. In this study, the effects of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on osteoclast formation, bone resorption, osteoblast differentiation and mineralization were initially assessed in vitro, followed by further investigation in a titanium-particle-induced osteolysis model in vivo. Based on the proved inhibitory effect of DHA on osteolysis, DHA was further applied to MDA-MB-231 breast cancer-induced mouse osteolysis model, with the underlying molecular mechanisms further investigated. Here, we verified for the first time that DHA suppressed osteoclast differentiation, F-actin ring formation and bone resorption through suppressing AKT/SRC pathways, leading to the preventive effect of DHA on titanium-particle-induced osteolysis without affecting osteoblast function. More importantly, we demonstrated that DHA inhibited breast tumor-induced osteolysis through inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells via modulating AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, DHA effectively inhibited osteoclastogenesis and prevented breast cancer-induced osteolysis.
Biochemical Characterization of Nonamer Binding Domain of RAG1 Reveals its Thymine Preference with Respect to Length and Position
Authors: Raveendran Deepthi , Raghavan Sathees C.
Published: January 2016

RAG complex consisting of RAG1 and RAG2 is a site-specific endonuclease responsible for the generation of antigen receptor diversity. It cleaves recombination signal sequence (RSS), comprising of conserved heptamer and nonamer. Nonamer binding domain (NBD) of RAG1 plays a central role in the recognition of RSS. To investigate the DNA binding properties of the domain, NBD of murine RAG1 was cloned, expressed and purified. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that NBD binds with high affinity to nonamer in the context of 12/23 RSS or heteroduplex DNA. NBD binding was specific to thymines when single stranded DNA containing poly A, C, G or T were used. Biolayer interferometry studies showed that poly T binding to NBD was robust and comparable to that of 12RSS. More than 23 nt was essential for NBD binding at homothymidine stretches. On a double-stranded DNA, NBD could bind to A:T stretches, but not G:C or random sequences. Although NBD is indispensable for sequence specific activity of RAGs, external supplementation of purified nonamer binding domain to NBD deleted cRAG1/cRAG2 did not restore its activity, suggesting that the overall domain architecture of RAG1 is important. Therefore, we define the sequence requirements of NBD binding to DNA.
Precise Analysis of Polymer Rotational Dynamics
Authors: Kim Jun Mo , Baig Chunggi
Published: January 2016

Through the analysis of individual chain dynamics alongside the corresponding molecular structures under shear via nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of C178H358 linear and short-chain branched polyethylene melts under shear flow, we observed that the conventional method based on the chain end-to-end vector (and/or the gyration tensor of chain) is susceptible to quantitatively inaccurate measurements and often misleading information in describing the rotational dynamics of polymers. Identifying the flaw as attributed to strong irregular Brownian fluctuations inherent to the chain ends associated with their large free volume and strong molecular collisions, we propose a simple, robust way based on the chain center-to-center vector connecting the two centers of mass of the bisected chain, which is shown to adequately describe polymer rotational dynamics without such shortcomings. We present further consideration that the proposed method can be useful in accurately measuring the overall chain structure and dynamics of polymeric materials with various molecular architectures, including branched and ring polymers.
Altered functional connectivity in persistent developmental stuttering
Authors: Yang Yang , Jia Fanlu , Siok Wai Ting , Tan Li Hai
Published: January 2016

Persistent developmental stuttering (PDS) is a speech disorder that impairs communication skills. Despite extensive research, the core causes of PDS are elusive. Converging evidence from task-induced neuroimaging methods has demonstrated the contributions of the basal ganglia and the cerebellum to PDS, but such task-state neuroimaging findings are often confounded by behavioral performance differences between subjects who stutter and normal controls. Here, using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated functional connectivity within cerebellar-cortical and basal ganglia-thalamocortical networks in 16 adults who stutter and 18 age-matched fluent speakers. Seed-to-voxel analysis demonstrated that, compared to controls, adults who stutter showed alternations in functional connectivity of cerebellum to motor cortex as well as connectivity among different locals within cerebellum. Additionally, we found that functional connectivity within cerebellar circuits was significantly correlated with severity of stuttering. The alternations of functional connectivity within basal ganglia-thalamocortical networks were identified as the reduced connectivity of the putamen to the superior temporal gyrus and inferior parietal lobules in adults who stutter. The abnormalities of resting state functional connectivity are assumed to affect language planning and motor execution critical for speaking fluently. Our findings may yield neurobiological cues to the biomarkers of PDS.
Massive preparation of pitch-based organic microporous polymers for gas storage
Authors: Li Wenqing , Zhang Aijuan , Gao Hui , Chen Mingjie , Liu Anhua , Bai Hua , Li Lei
Published: January 2016

Pitch-based hyper-cross-linked polymers preparedviaFriedel–Crafts reaction.
Ready display of antigenic peptides in a protein ‘mimogen’
Authors: Vallée M. Robert J. , Schombs Matthew W. , Balaban Zack J. , Colyer John , Davis Benjamin G.
Published: January 2016

A ready peptidylation protocol allows expeditious display of sequences in a standardized protein scaffold for sensitive Ab detection, as generic protein-like mimics.
Intrinsic magnetic characteristics-dependent charge transfer and visible photo-catalytic H2 evolution reaction (HER) properties of a Fe3O4@PPy@Pt catalyst
Authors: Zhang Wenyan , Kong Chao , Gao Wei , Lu Gongxuan
Published: January 2016

The electron transfer and visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution of a ternary nano-architecture could be regulated effectively by electro-magnetic interaction between the magnetic catalysts and photo-generated electrons.
Light-controlled reactive oxygen species (ROS)-producible polymeric micelles with simultaneous drug-release triggering and endo/lysosomal escape
Authors: Kim Kihong , Lee Chung-Sung , Na Kun
Published: January 2016

A doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded and light-induced ROS-producing polymeric micelle (D-LRPM), in which light triggers simultaneous DOX-release and endo/lysosomal escape, produces a powerful, spatiotemporally controllable, therapeutic efficacy for tumor treatment.
Synergistic gold and enamine catalysis: intermolecular α-alkylation of aldehydes with allenamides
Authors: Fernández-Casado Jaime , Nelson Ronald , Mascareñas José L. , López Fernando
Published: January 2016

Aldehydes can be α-alkylated with allenamides by the combined action of an organocatalyst and a gold complex.
A dual-stimuli responsive small molecule organic material with tunable multi-state response showing turn-on luminescence and photocoloration
Authors: Zhang Ya-Jun , Chen Cheng , Tan Bin , Cai Li-Xuan , Yang Xiao-Dong , Zhang Jie
Published: January 2016

A multiple responsive organic small molecular material has been developed, which exhibits dual pathway photoreactions and gives turn-on luminescence and photocoloration under different light sources.
Growth of 3D hierarchical porous NiO@carbon nanoflakes on graphene sheets for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Xiongwei , Zhang Ludan , Zhang Zehui , Yu Aishui , Wu Peiyi
Published: January 2016

Nickelocene was used as the precursor for both NiO and carbon to construct a 3D hierarchical graphene based nanocomposite.
The truth about the 1st cycle Coulombic efficiency of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (NCM) cathodes
Authors: Kasnatscheew J. , Evertz M. , Streipert B. , Wagner R. , Klöpsch R. , Vortmann B. , Hahn H. , Nowak S. , Amereller M. , Gentschev A.-C. , Lamp P. , Winter M.
Published: January 2016

High voltage issues of the NCM cathode could be attributed predominantly to structural instabilities and unexpected negligible electrolyte oxidation.
The effect of gold on modern bimetallic Au–Cu/MWCNT catalysts for the oxy-steam reforming of methanol
Authors: Mierczynski Pawel , Vasilev Krasimir , Mierczynska Agnieszka , Maniukiewicz Waldemar , Ciesielski Radoslaw , Rogowski Jacek , Szynkowska Iwona M. , Trifonov A. Yu. , Dubkov Sergey V. , Gromov Dmitry G. , Maniecki Tomasz P.
Published: January 2016

Copper and gold doped copper catalysts supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes were prepared by wet impregnation and deposition–precipitation methods, respectively.
Pd/zeolite-based catalysts for the preferential CO oxidation reaction: ion-exchange, Si/Al and structure effect
Authors: Navlani-García Miriam , Miguel-García Izaskun , Berenguer-Murcia Ángel , Lozano-Castelló Dolores , Cazorla-Amorós Diego , Yamashita Hiromi
Published: January 2016

A screening of Pd/zeolite-based catalysts in the PrOx-CO reaction in H2-rich streams was performed using zeolites with different cations (H+, Na+ and Cs+) prepared by ion exchange and framework type (MFI and FAU).
Synthesis of [Sb2W20FeII2(H2O)6O70]10− with iron powder under mild conditions and its applications in both catalytic Fenton reaction and electrochemical sensing of ascorbic acid
Authors: Sun Minghui , Li Fengyan , Yu Longjiao , Wang Ya , Xu Lin
Published: January 2016

The first Krebs-type tungstoantimonate containing ferrous ions was prepared. Its applications in both catalytic Fenton reaction and electrochemical sensing of ascorbic acid were also investigated primarily.
Macrocyclic Se4N2[7,7]ferrocenophane and Se2N[10]ferrocenophane containing benzyl unit: synthesis, complexation, crystal structures, electrochemical and optical properties
Authors: Qu Jian , Song Yinglin , Ji Wei , Jing Su , Zhu Dunru , Huang Wei , Zheng Mengxi , Li Yanle , Ma Jing
Published: January 2016

Se4N2[7,7]ferrocenophane containing benzyl unit shows switch-on third-order NLO responses to Cu2+and Hg2+due to the formation of delocalized π-conjugated systems.
Phototransformation of pesticides in prairie potholes: effect of dissolved organic matter in triplet-induced oxidation
Authors: Karpuzcu M. Ekrem , McCabe Andrew J. , Arnold William A.
Published: January 2016

Despite the fact that triplet excited state dissolved organic matter (DOM) enhances phototransformation of pesticides by acting as a photosensitizer, it may also decrease the overall phototransformation rate through various mechanisms.
Cost-effectiveness and community impacts of two urine-collection programs in rural South Africa
Authors: Tilley Elizabeth
Published: January 2016

The cost-effectiveness of two different urine-collection programs in South Africa are modelled over a range of parameters and are interpreted from the perspective of both the municipality and the community.
Low carbon fuels and commodity chemicals from waste gases – systematic approach to understand energy metabolism in a model acetogen
Authors: Marcellin Esteban , Behrendorff James B. , Nagaraju Shilpa , DeTissera Sashini , Segovia Simon , Palfreyman Robin W. , Daniell James , Licona-Cassani Cuauhtemoc , Quek Lake-ee , Speight Robert , Hodson Mark P. , Simpson Sean D. , Mitchell Wayne P. , Köpke Michael , Nielsen Lars K.
Published: January 2016

Insight into energy metabolism of gas-fermenting acetogens using a systems level approach for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals.
3D high throughput screening and profiling of embryoid bodies in thermoformed microwell plates
Authors: Vrij E. J. , Espinoza S. , Heilig M. , Kolew A. , Schneider M. , van Blitterswijk C. A. , Truckenmüller R. K. , Rivron N. C.
Published: January 2016

We present a micro-thermoformed microwell screening plate and identify cAMP as a regulator of primitive endoderm formation in embryoid bodies.
Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, DNA/protein binding and DNA cleavage studies of novel copper(ii) complexes of N-substituted isatin thiosemicarbazone ligands
Authors: Muralisankar Mathiyan , Bhuvanesh Nattamai S. P. , Sreekanth Anandaram
Published: January 2016

Copper(ii) complexes containing isatin thiosemicarbozone ligands have been synthesized and evaluated for its biological applications like DNA/protein binding and DNA cleavage studies.
Efficient sorption of Pb(ii) from an aqueous solution using a poly(aniline-co-3-aminobenzoic acid)-based magnetic core–shell nanocomposite
Authors: Nazarzadeh Zare Ehsan , Mansour Lakouraj Moslem , Ramezani Atefeh
Published: January 2016

We propose that the PA3ABA@Fe3O4 core–shell magnetic nanocomposite is an appropriate candidate for water treatment processes.
A new approach to understand the Cassie state of liquids on superamphiphobic materials
Authors: Wang Tao , Cui Jing , Ouyang Shenshen , Cui Weihao , Wang Sheng
Published: January 2016

A hierarchical structure is a prerequisite for a liquid super-repellent surface due to its capability to catch large numbers of fine air-pockets.
Visible-light photoredox intramolecular difluoroacetamidation: facile synthesis of 3,3-difluoro-2-oxindoles from bromodifluoroacetamides
Authors: Wei Xiao-Jing , Wang Lin , Du Shao-Fu , Wu Li-Zhu , Liu Qiang
Published: January 2016

An efficient access to 3,3-difluoro-2-oxindoles has been achieved via intramolecular aminocarbonyldifluoromethyl radical addition to arenes under visible-light irradiation.
Structure–activity & structure–toxicity relationship study of salinomycin diastereoisomers and their benzoylated derivatives
Authors: Zhang Wenxuan , Wu Jun , Li Bo , Wu Hongna , Wang Liu , Hao Jie , Wu Song , Zhou Qi
Published: January 2016

The structure–activity and structure–toxicity relationships of salinomycin diastereoisomers and their benzoylated derivatives were investigated.
Correction: Pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidinium ions – a novel bridgehead nitrogen heterocycles: synthesis, characterisation, and elucidation of DNA binding and cell imaging properties
Authors: Manna Susanta Kumar , Mandal Arabinda , Mondal Suresh Kumar , Adak Arup Kr , Jana Akash , Das Somnath , Chattopadhyay Sourav , Roy Somenath , Ghorai Shyamal Kr , Samanta Shubhankar , Hossain Maidul , Baidya Mahiuddin
Published: January 2016

Correction for ‘Pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidinium ions – a novel bridgehead nitrogen heterocycles: synthesis, characterisation, and elucidation of DNA binding and cell imaging properties’ by Susanta Kumar Manna et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2015, 13, 8037–8047.
One-pot sequential multicomponent reaction and a multicomponent polymerization method for the synthesis of topologically different polymers
Authors: Zhang Ze , Tan Zi-Bin , Hong Chun-Yan , Wu De-Cheng , You Ye-Zi
Published: January 2016

The synthesis of topologically different polymers via a one-pot sequential multicomponent reaction and multicomponent polymerization is reported.
Poly(ester amide)s with pendant azobenzenes: multi-responsive self-immolative moieties for modulating polymer assemblies
Authors: Wong Andrew D. , Prinzen Alexander L. , Gillies Elizabeth R.
Published: January 2016

Polymer nanoassemblies containing pendant azobenzenes in their cores were prepared. Light-induced trans–cis isomerization of the azobenzenes increased the polarity of the assembly core, while reduction led to assembly degradation.
Defect-driven oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of carbon without any element doping
Authors: Zhao Xiaojun , Zou Xiaoqin , Yan Xuecheng , Brown Christopher L. , Chen Zhigang , Zhu Guangshan , Yao Xiangdong
Published: January 2016

A “pure” porous carbon, lacking any elemental doping, exhibits excellent activity of oxygen reduction.
Insertion of organometallic moieties into peptides and peptide nucleic acids using alternative “click” strategies
Authors: Mari Cristina , Mosberger Sandro , Llorente Nuria , Spreckelmeyer Sarah , Gasser Gilles
Published: January 2016

Application of alternative “click” strategies (metal-free photoclick and one-pot click) to cymantrene and ferrocene derivatives yielded novel metal-containing conjugates.
Utilization of renewable bio-based resources, viz. sorbitol, diol, and diacid, in the preparation of two pack PU anticorrosive coatings
Authors: Anand Abhijeet , Kulkarni Ravindra D. , Patil Chandrashekhar K. , Gite Vikas V.
Published: January 2016

The present work reveals utilization of renewable sources sorbitol, diacids, and 1,4-butanediol in synthesizing the polyol for polyurethane coatings rather than consumption of petroleum source based ingredients.
Hierarchical polyaniline microspheres loading on flexible PET films for NH3sensing at room temperature
Authors: Bai Shouli , Ye Jingyao , Luo Ruixian , Chen Aifan , Li Dianqing
Published: January 2016

A smart sensor based on hierarchical polyaniline microspheres loaded on PET film not only exhibits high sensitivity, good selectivity and low detection limit at room temperature, but also has features of flexibility, portability and transparency.
Critical role of silk fibroin secondary structure on the dielectric performances of organic thin-film transistors
Authors: Park Min Hong , Kim Junhyung , Lee Seung Chul , Cho Se Youn , Kim Na Rae , Kang Boseok , Song Eunjoo , Cho Kilwon , Jin Hyoung-Joon , Lee Wi Hyoung
Published: January 2016

Correlation between silk fibroin (SF) secondary structure and dielectric performances of organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) was investigated using various SF films.
Effects of annealing stress field on the structure and properties of polypropylene hollow fiber membranes made by stretching
Authors: Shao Huiju , Wei Fujian , Wu Bin , Zhang KaiZhou , Yao Yong , Liang Songmiao , Qin Shuhao
Published: January 2016

By adopting three types of annealing stress fields, this work focused on investigating their effects on the microstructural evolution of polypropylene (PP) hollow fiber precursors obtained by the melt spinning process.
Base free synthesis of iron oxide supported on boron nitride for the construction of highly functionalized pyrans and spirooxindoles
Authors: Molla Aniruddha , Hussain Sahid
Published: January 2016

BN@Fe3O4 network was synthesized via chemical reduction followed by aerial oxidation in absence of base and was subsequently used for the synthesis of highly functionalized pyrans and spirooxindoles derivatives on water.
Cyclopentyl methyl ether as a green solvent for reversible-addition fragmentation chain transfer and nitroxide-mediated polymerizations
Authors: Abreu Carlos M. R. , Maximiano Pedro , Guliashvili Tamaz , Nicolas Julien , Serra Arménio C. , Coelho Jorge F. J.
Published: January 2016

Cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) was successfully used as an environmentally friendly alternative to regularly employed organic solvents (e.g., THF, DMSO, DCM and DMF) for the RAFT and NMP polymerizations of vinyl chloride (VC) and styrene (S).
Ultrathin MnO2 nanosheets grown on fungal conidium-derived hollow carbon spheres as supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Mao Cuiping , Liu Sangui , Pang Lei , Sun Qi , Liu Yang , Xu Maowen , Lu Zhisong
Published: January 2016

In this work we fabricated MnO2–conidia carbon composited materials and explored their potentials in supercapacitors.
Kinetics, equilibrium isotherm and neural network modeling studies for the sorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution by quartz/feldspar/wollastonite
Authors: Kavitha B. , Sarala Thambavani D.
Published: January 2016

A three layer feed forward artificial neural network (ANN) with back propagation training algorithm was developed to model the adsorption process of Cr(vi) in aqueous solution using riverbed sand containing quartz/feldspar/wollastonite (QFW) as adsorbent.
Synthesis of multisubstituted furans via Cu(i)-catalyzed annulation of ketones with alkynoate under ligand- and additive-free conditions
Authors: Luo Zaigang , Fang Yuyu , Zhao Yu , Liu Peng , Xu Xuemei , Feng Chengtao , Li Zhong , He Jie
Published: January 2016

A simple and efficient Cu(i)-catalyzed strategy for synthesis of mutisubstituted furans has been developed and this ligand- and additive-free annulation method is well suitable for both nonactivated arylmethyl ketones 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds.
Fabrication and analysis of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using porphyrin dyes with catechol anchoring groups
Authors: Adineh Maryam , Tahay Pooya , Ameri Mohsen , Safari Nasser , Mohajerani Ezeddin
Published: January 2016

Zinc(ii) porphyrins with catechol anchoring groups used in dye-sensitized solar cells for the first time.
Metal-free catalytic hydrogen production from a polymethylhydrosilane–water mixture
Authors: Yap Chew Pheng , Poh Hwa Tiong , Fan Wai Yip
Published: January 2016

Hydrogen gas is the most promising carbon-free energy carrier although its on-demand generation remains a formidable challenge.
Co(dmgH)2pyCl as a noble-metal-free co-catalyst for highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over hexagonal ZnIn2S4
Authors: Gao Yanhong , Lin Huaxiang , Zhang Shiying , Li Zhaohui
Published: January 2016

Co(dmgH)2pyCl is an efficient co-catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and the activity over Co(dmgH)2pyCl/ZnIn2S4is superior to that over Pt/ZnIn2S4.
Facile polymerization of β-cyclodextrin functionalized graphene or graphene oxide nanosheets using citric acid crosslinker by in situ melt polycondensation for enhanced electrochemical performance
Authors: Heydari Abolfazl , Sheibani Hassan
Published: January 2016

In this study, we report a facile, environmental friendly route to synthesize water-insoluble β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)/graphene oxide (GO) or reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite hydrogels.
Sol–gel synthesis, structural, optical and magnetic characterization of Ag3(2+x)PrxNb4−xO11+δ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) nanoparticles
Authors: Ramesh S. , Ramaclus Jerald V. , Mosquera Edgar , Das B. B.
Published: January 2016

The optical and magnetic properties of sol–gel synthesized nanocrystalline Ag3(2+x)PrxNb4−xO11+δ (x = 0.0, 0.50 and 1.0; S1–S3) were studied by DRS and VSM plots. Magnetic studies reveal that the samples exhibit ferromagnetism at room temperature.
Outstanding dielectric constant and piezoelectric coefficient in electrospun nanofiber mats of PVDF containing silver decorated multiwall carbon nanotubes: assessing through piezoresponse force microscopy
Authors: Sharma Maya , Srinivas Vijay , Madras Giridhar , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: January 2016

Alignment of dipoles in one direction leads to high piezoelectric coefficient in PVDF/Ag decorated CNTs.
A highly specific ‘turn-on’ fluorescent detection of Mg2+ through a xanthene based fluorescent molecular probe
Authors: Pandey Abha , Kumar Ajit , Vishwakarma Siddharth , Upadhyay K. K.
Published: January 2016

Two acid hydrazones incorporating xanthene as a metal chelating centre (B-XAN and N-XAN) have been synthesized, characterized and evaluated for the optical sensing of Mg2+ and Al3+.
A sensitive method for the determination of gold and palladium based on dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination using N-(6-morpholin-4-ylpyridin-3-yl)-N′-phenylthiourea
Authors: Bahadir Zekeriyya , Bulut Volkan Numan , Bektaş Hakan , Soylak Mustafa
Published: January 2016

A new method for the determination of gold and palladium was developed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction separation-preconcentration and flame atomic absorption spectrometry detection.
Development of a D–π–A pyrazinium photosensitizer possessing singlet oxygen generation
Authors: Ooyama Yousuke , Enoki Toshiaki , Ohshita Joji
Published: January 2016

(D–π–)2A pyrazinium dyes (OEJ-1 and OEJ-2) bearing a counter anion (X− = Br− or I−) have been newly developed as a photosensitizer possessing singlet oxygen (1O2) generation.
The catalytic activity and chemical structure of nano MoS2 synthesized in a controlled environment
Authors: Zhang H. P. , Lin H. F. , Zheng Y. , Hu Y. F. , MacLennan A.
Published: January 2016

The redox synthesis mechanism is, for the first time, revealed in a novel hydrothermal preparation of nano MoS2 with MoO3 as precursors. The S-to-Mo ratio plays a key role in influencing the morphology and activity of catalyst MoS2.
Grains unchained: local fluidization of a granular packing by focused ultrasound
Authors: Lidon Pierre , Taberlet Nicolas , Manneville Sébastien
Published: January 2016

High-intensity focused ultrasound impinging on a granular packing is shown to induce unjamming and local motion of the grains.
Polarization induced dynamic photoluminescence in carbon quantum dot-based ionic fluid
Authors: Bhattacharjee Lopamudra , Mohanta Kallol , Pal Kaushik , Koner Apurba L. , Bhattacharjee Rama Ranjan
Published: January 2016

We have recently reported the synthesis of water-dispersible, polymer-passivated and redox-active carbon quantum dots (CQDs).
Management of the light distribution within the photoactive layer for high performance conventional and inverted polymer solar cells
Authors: Wang Fuzhi , Zhang Bing , Li Qiuxiang , Shi Zhenzhen , Yu Lu , Liu Hao , Wang Yaping , Dai Songyuan , Tan Zhan'ao , Li Yongfang
Published: January 2016

High performance conventional and inverted PSCs based on PBDTTT-C-T:PC70BM are demonstrated under the guidance of optical electric simulation.
Transition metals (Fe, Co, and Ni) encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes as bi-functional catalysts for oxygen electrode reactions
Authors: Liu Yanyan , Jiang Hongliang , Zhu Yihua , Yang Xiaoling , Li Chunzhong
Published: January 2016

Transition metal nanoparticles (Fe, Co, and Ni) encapsulated in N-doped carbon nanotube hybrids were prepared, and the catalytic activities of three catalysts are compared and discussed. The optimized Co/N-CNT catalyst exhibits superb bifunctional catalytic activity with a ΔEvalue of 0.78 V.
Listening and Learning: Using Telepractice to Serve Children and Adults with Hearing Loss
Authors: Galvan Corinne , Case Elizabeth , Todd Houston K.
Published: January 2016

Families of children with hearing loss and adults who also have been diagnosed with hearing loss require audiologic management, effective hearing technology, and consistent intervention or rehabilitation to improve their communication. Parents of young children with hearing loss who have chosen a listening and spoken language approach, such as Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT), may struggle to find qualified providers who can deliver these services. Similarly, adults with hearing loss also may find it challenging to enroll in aural rehabilitation services due to a lack of availability. The Telepractice and eLearning Laboratory (TeLL) in the School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at the University of Akron has developed a model of telepractice service delivery to provide AVT to families of young children with hearing loss and adult aural rehabilitation services. This paper describes the rationale for establishing these services and a general framework that guides service delivery.
Teleaudiology Model Considerations
Authors: Krumm Mark
Published: January 2016

The following paper is a review of relevant literature and models presently available in teleaudiology. An attempt was made to consolidate suggested models and programmatic guidelines into a teleaudiology model. This model includes consumer input, pilot testing, mode of teleaudiology applications, and recursive evaluation. The model also includes a traditional clinical visit component when teleaudiology is not practical or desired by the client.
Efficiency optimising scheme for wireless power transfer system with two transmitters
Authors: Kong P. , Ku H.
Published: January 2016

The highest power transfer efficiency (PTE) of the magnetic resonance wireless power transfer (WPT) system with two transmitters (TXs) and a single receiver located at an arbitrary position can be obtained by adjusting the amplitude ratio and the phase difference (PD) of the signals of two adjacent TXs. The coupling coefficient between two coils is calculated, and is used to establish an equivalent circuit model for a WPT system with two TXs. Using the circuit model, the PTE of the WPT system (which is a function of the amplitude ratio and PD) is extracted. The optimum conditions of these values to achieve the highest power efficiency can be analytically determined. The experimental results agree well with the simulated results based on the analysis. The result shows that the suggested optimised transmit scheme can achieve the highest PTE for a magnetic resonance WPT system with two TXs.
Modified antipodal Vivaldi antenna for ultra‐wideband communications
Authors: Natarajan Rajesh , George Jithila V. , Kanagasabai Malathi , Lawrance Livya , Moorthy Balaji , Rajendran Dinesh Babu , Nabi Alsath Mohammed Gulam
Published: January 2016

In this study, a modified antipodal Vivaldi antenna (AVA) with low cross‐polarisation is proposed for ultra‐wideband communications. The bandwidth offered by conventional single petal AVA is enhanced by adding another petal. This dual petal antenna occupies a small volume of 60 × 60 × 0.8 mm3 and provides operating bandwidth from 2.4 GHz to frequencies >14 GHz. The proposed antenna configuration provides low cross‐polarisation level which is <−15 dB over the entire operational band. The designed antenna offers realised gain >5 dB and an average group delay variation of 0.5 ns. The prototype antenna is fabricated and tested to validate the simulation results.
Fast and accurate synthesis of electronically reconfigurable annular ring monopole antennas using particle swarm optimisation and artificial bee colony algorithms
Authors: Rodrigues Eduardo Jorge Brito , Lins Hertz Wilton Castro , D'Assunção Adaildo Gomes
Published: January 2016

The synthesis of a simple electronically reconfigurable annular ring monopole antenna using a designing optimisation process based on particle swarm optimisation (PSO) and artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithms is proposed. Several antenna dimensions are selected as objective functions of PSO and ABC and their best solutions are considered as the optimised dimensions of the antenna geometry. Two radio‐frequency p–i–n diodes, connecting the antenna feeding line to two microstrip stubs are used to change the antenna frequency response from ultra‐wideband (UWB), from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz, to narrowband (NB) operation about 5.8 GHz. The antenna design and simulation are performed using Ansoft high‐frequency structure simulator software. PSO and ABC algorithms are written in Java language. Thereafter, antenna prototypes are fabricated and measured for validation purposes. Simulation and measurement results are obtained showing good agreement. The measured optimised impedance bandwidths of the UWB and NB bands are up to 128 and 23%, respectively. Additionally, simulated and measured radiation patterns are very similar when the reconfigurable antenna is operating in OFF‐state (UWB sensing antenna) and in ON‐state (NB transmitting antenna) modes, indicating the proposed antenna geometry as a promising candidate for applications such as UWB and cognitive radio.
Improved performance low‐cost incremental conductance PV MPPT technique
Authors: Zakzouk Nahla E. , Elsaharty Mohamed A. , Abdelsalam Ahmed K. , Helal Ahmed A. , Williams Barry W.
Published: January 2016

Variable‐step incremental conductance (Inc.Cond.) technique, for photovoltaic (PV) maximum power point tracking, has merits of good tracking accuracy and fast convergence speed. Yet, it lacks simplicity in its implementation due to the mathematical division computations involved in its algorithm structure. Furthermore, the conventional variable step‐size, based on the division of the PV module power change by the PV voltage change, encounters steady‐state power oscillations and dynamic problems especially under sudden environmental changes. In this study, an enhancement is introduced to Inc.Cond. algorithm in order to entirely eliminate the division calculations involved in its structure. Hence, algorithm implementation complexity is minimised enabling the utilisation of low‐cost microcontrollers to cut down system cost. Moreover, the required real processing time is reduced, thus sampling rate can be improved to fasten system response during sudden changes. Regarding the applied step‐size, a modified variable‐step size, which depends solely on PV power, is proposed. The latter achieves enhanced transient performance with minimal steady‐state power oscillations around the MPP even under partial shading. For proposed technique's validation, simulation work is carried out and an experimental set up is implemented in which ARDUINO Uno board, based on low‐cost Atmega328 microcontroller, is employed.
Transcriptome marker diagnostics using big data
Authors: Han Henry , Liu Ying
Published: January 2016

The big omics data are challenging translational bioinformatics in an unprecedented way for its complexities and volumes. How to employ big omics data to achieve a rivalling‐clinical, reproducible disease diagnosis from a systems approach is an urgent problem to be solved in translational bioinformatics and machine learning. In this study, the authors propose a novel transcriptome marker diagnosis to tackle this problem using big RNA‐seq data by viewing whole transcriptome as a profile marker systematically. The systems diagnosis not only avoids the reproducibility issue of the existing gene‐/network‐marker‐based diagnostic methods, but also achieves rivalling‐clinical diagnostic results by extracting true signals from big RNA‐seq data. Their method demonstrates a better fit for personalised diagnostics by attaining exceptional diagnostic performance via using systems information than its competitive methods and prepares itself as a good candidate for clinical usage. To the best of their knowledge, it is the first study on this topic and will inspire the more investigations in big omics data diagnostics.