bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
QTL analysis of modifiers for pigmentary disorder in rats carrying Ednrbsl mutations
Authors: Huang Jieping , Dang Ruihua , Torigoe Daisuke , Li Anqi , Lei Chuzhao , Sasaki Nobuya , Wang Jinxi , Agui Takashi
Published: January 2016

Pigmentary variation in animals has been studied because of its application in genetics, evolution and developmental biology. The large number of known color loci provides rich resource to elucidate the functional pigmentary system. Nonetheless, more color loci remain to be identified. In our previous study, we revealed that two different strains, namely, AGH rats and LEH rats, but which had the same null mutation of the Ednrb gene (Ednrbsl) showed markedly different pigmented coat ratio. This result strongly suggested that the severity of pigment abnormality was modified by genetic factor(s) in each strain. To elucidate the modifier locus of pigment disorder, we carried out whole-genome scanning for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on 149 F2 (AGH-Ednrbsl × LEH-Ednrbsl) rats. A highly significant QTL, constituting 26% of the total pigmentation phenotype variance, was identified in a region around D7Got23 on chromosome (Chr) 7. In addition, investigation on epistatic interaction revealed significant interactions between D7Got23 and D3Rat78 and between D7Got23 and D14Mit4. Results suggested that a modified locus on Chr 7 was mainly responsible for the variance of pigmentary disorder between AGH-Ednrbsl rats and LEH-Ednrbsl rats and two modifier loci showing epistatic interaction may, in part, influence pigment phenotype.
Identification of Differentially Expressed Long Non-coding RNAs in Polarized Macrophages
Authors: Huang Zikun , Luo Qing , Yao Fangyi , Qing Cheng , Ye Jianqing , Deng Yating , Li Junming
Published: January 2016

Macrophages display remarkable plasticity, with the ability to undergo dynamic transition between classically and alternatively activated phenotypes. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are more than 200 nucleotides in length and play roles in various biological pathways. However, the role of lncRNAs in regulating macrophage polarization has yet to be explored. In this study, lncRNAs expression profiles were determined in human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) incubated in conditions causing activation toward M(IFN-γ + LPS) or M(IL-4) phenotypes. Compared with primary MDMs, 9343 lncRNAs and 5903 mRNAs were deregulated in M(IFN-γ + LPS) group (fold change ≥2.0, P < 0.05), 4592 lncRNAs and 3122 mRNAs were deregulated in M(IL-4) group. RT-qPCR results were generally consistent with the microarray data. Furthermore, we found that TCONS_00019715 is expressed at a higher level in M(IFN-γ + LPS) macrophages than in M(IL-4) macrophages. TCONS_00019715 expression was decreased when M(IFN-γ + LPS) converted to M(IL-4) whereas increased when M(IL-4) converted to M(IFN-γ + LPS). Knockdown of TCONS_00019715 following the activation of THP-1 cellls using IFN-γ and LPS diminished the expression of M(IFN-γ + LPS) markers and elevated the expression of M(IL-4) markers. These data show a significantly altered lncRNA and mRNA expression profile in macrophages exposure to different activating conditions. Dysregulation of some of these lncRNAs may play important roles in regulating macrophage polarization.
Distribution of vascular epiphytes along a tropical elevational gradient: disentangling abiotic and biotic determinants
Authors: Ding Yi , Liu Guangfu , Zang Runguo , Zhang Jian , Lu Xinghui , Huang Jihong
Published: January 2016

Epiphytic vascular plants are common species in humid tropical forests. Epiphytes are influenced by abiotic and biotic variables, but little is known about the relative importance of direct and indirect effects on epiphyte distribution. We surveyed 70 transects (10 m × 50 m) along an elevation gradient (180 m–1521 m) and sampled all vascular epiphytes and trees in a typical tropical forest on Hainan Island, south China. The direct and indirect effects of abiotic factors (climatic and edaphic) and tree community characteristics on epiphytes species diversity were examined. The abundance and richness of vascular epiphytes generally showed a unimodal curve with elevation and reached maximum value at ca. 1300 m. The species composition in transects from high elevation (above 1200 m) showed a more similar assemblage. Climate explained the most variation in epiphytes species diversity followed by tree community characteristics and soil features. Overall, climate (relative humidity) and tree community characteristics (tree size represented by basal area) had the strongest direct effects on epiphyte diversity while soil variables (soil water content and available phosphorus) mainly had indirect effects. Our study suggests that air humidity is the most important abiotic while stand basal area is the most important biotic determinants of epiphyte diversity along the tropical elevational gradient.
Characterization of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Microvesicle Genesis, Morphology and Pluripotent Content
Authors: Zhou Jing , Ghoroghi Shima , Benito-Martin Alberto , Wu Hao , Unachukwu Uchenna John , Einbond Linda Saxe , Guariglia Sara , Peinado Hector , Redenti Stephen
Published: January 2016

Microvesicles (MVs) are lipid bilayer-covered cell fragments that range in diameter from 30 nm–1uM and are released from all cell types. An increasing number of studies reveal that MVs contain microRNA, mRNA and protein that can be detected in the extracellular space. In this study, we characterized induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) MV genesis, content and fusion to retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) in vitro. Nanoparticle tracking revealed that iPSCs released approximately 2200 MVs cell/hour in the first 12 hrs with an average diameter of 122 nm. Electron and light microscopic analysis of iPSCs showed MV release via lipid bilayer budding. The mRNA content of iPSC MVs was characterized and revealed the presence of the transcription factors Oct-3/4, Nanog, Klf4 and C-Myc. The protein content of iPSCs MVs, detected by immunogold electron microscopy, revealed the presence of the Oct-3/4 and Nanog. Isolated iPSC MVs were shown to fuse with RPCs in vitro at multiple points along the plasma membrane. These findings demonstrate that the mRNA and protein cargo in iPSC MVs have established roles in maintenance of pluripotency. Building on this work, iPSC derived MVs may be shown to be involved in maintaining cellular pluripotency and may have application in regenerative strategies for neural tissue.
Non-invasive Imaging of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Using Cathepsin Protease Probes
Authors: Withana Nimali P. , Ma Xiaowei , McGuire Helen M. , Verdoes Martijn , van der Linden Wouter A. , Ofori Leslie O. , Zhang Ruiping , Li Hao , Sanman Laura E. , Wei Ke , Yao Shaobo , Wu Peilin , Li Fang , Huang Hui , Xu Zuojun , Wolters Paul J. , Rosen Glenn D. , Collard Harold R. , Zhu Zhaohui , Cheng Zhen , Bogyo Matthew
Published: January 2016

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal, chronic, progressive disease characterized by formation of scar tissue within the lungs. Because it is a disease of unknown etiology, it is difficult to diagnose, to predict disease course and to devise treatment strategies. Recent evidence suggests that activated macrophages play key roles in the pathology of IPF. Therefore, imaging probes that specifically recognize these pools of activated immune cells could provide valuable information about how these cells contribute to the pathobiology of the disease. Here we demonstrate that cysteine cathepsin-targeted imaging probes can be used to monitor the contribution of macrophages to fibrotic disease progression in the bleomycin-induced murine model of pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, we show that the probes highlight regions of macrophage involvement in fibrosis in human biopsy tissues from IPF patients. Finally, we present first-in-human results demonstrating non-invasive imaging of active cathepsins in fibrotic lesions of patients with IPF. Together, our findings validate small molecule cysteine cathepsin probes for clinical PET imaging and suggest that they have the potential to be used to generate mechanistically-informative molecular information regarding cellular drivers of IPF disease severity and progression.
A novel type bacterial flagellar motor that can use divalent cations as a coupling ion
Authors: Imazawa Riku , Takahashi Yuka , Aoki Wataru , Sano Motohiko , Ito Masahiro
Published: January 2016

The bacterial flagellar motor is a sophisticated nanomachine embedded in the cell envelope and powered by an electrochemical gradient of H+, Na+, or K+across the cytoplasmic membrane. Here we describe a new member of the bacterial flagellar stator channel family (MotAB1 of Paenibacillus sp. TCA20 (TCA-MotAB1)) that is coupled to divalent cations (Ca2+and Mg2+). In the absence of divalent cations of alkaline earth metals, no swimming was observed in Paenibacillus sp. TCA20, which grows optimally in Ca2+-rich environments. This pattern was confirmed by swimming assays of a stator-free Bacillus subtilis mutant expressing TCA-MotAB1. Both a stator-free and major Mg2+uptake system-deleted B. subtilis mutant expressing TCA-MotAB1 complemented both growth and motility deficiency under low Mg2+conditions and exhibited [Mg2+]in identical to that of the wild-type. This is the first report of a flagellar motor that can use Ca2+and Mg2+as coupling ions. These findings will promote the understanding of the operating principles of flagellar motors and molecular mechanisms of ion selectivity.
Rorippa indica Regeneration via Somatic Embryogenesis Involving Frog Egg-like Bodies Efficiently Induced by the Synergy of Salt and Drought Stresses
Authors: Xu Kedong , Chang Yunxia , Zhang Yi , Liu Kun , Zhang Ju , Wang Wei , Li Zhanshuai , Wu Jianxin , Ma Shuya , Xin Yuexing , Li Chunjing , Zhou Qianbei , Qiu Hanhan , Pi Yumei , Wang Youwei , Tan Guangxuan , Li Chengwei
Published: January 2016

Frog egg-like bodies (FELBs), novel somatic embryogenesis (SE) structures first observed in Solanum nigrum, were induced in Rorippa indica. NaCl-mediated salt and mannitol-mimicked drought stresses induced FELBs in R. indica, which is very different from the induction by plant growth regulators (PGRs) under low light condition that was used in S. nigrum FELB induction. It demonstrated that NaCl or mannitol supplements alone could induce FELBs in R. indica, but with low induction rates, while the synergy of NaCl and mannitol significantly increased the FELB induction rates. For the combination of 5.0 g/L mannitol and 10.0 g/L NaCl the highest FELB induction rate (100%) was achieved. It suggests that the synergy of drought and salt stresses can replace PGRs to induce FELBs in R. indica. On medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L gibberellic acid all the inoculated in vitro FELBs developed into multiple plantlets. Morphological and histological analyses confirmed the identity of FELBs induced in R. indica and revealed that FELBs originate from root cortex cells.
Visceral fat dysfunction is positively associated with hypogonadism in Chinese men
Authors: Wang Ningjian , Zhai Hualing , Han Bing , Li Qin , Chen Yi , Chen Yingchao , Xia Fangzhen , Lin Dongping , Lu Yingli
Published: January 2016

Visceral adiposity index (VAI) well mirrors visceral fat dysfunction. No study explored the association between low androgen and VAI. We aimed to determine whether VAI was associated with hypogonadism and sex hormones and also whether it better predicted hypogonadism than other obesity indices. Our data were collected from 16 sites in East China. 2,759 men were enrolled. Hypogonadism was defined as total testosterone < 11.3 nmol/L. VAI was calculated in male: (waist circumference/(39.68 + (1.88 × BMI))) × (triglycerides/1.03) × (1.31/HDL). 484 (17.5%) hypogonadal men had significantly higher VAI. After adjusting for age, smoking, neck and hip circumference, diabetes and hypertension, VAI was inversely associated with total testosterone, estradiol and SHBG (P < 0.01). Higher quartiles of VAI were associated with significantly increasing odds of hypogonadism (P for trend < 0.01). The fully adjusted odds ratio was 5.88 (95 CI% 4.09, 8.46) for the highest quartile compared with the lowest quartile of VAI. Among all the indices investigated, VAI showed the largest area under the curve (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the VAI was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of hypogonadism in Chinese men. VAI also best predicted hypogonadism among obesity indices (waist, hip and neck circumference, BMI, waist-hip ratio and body adiposity index).
Chimera-like States in Modular Neural Networks
Authors: Hizanidis Johanne , Kouvaris Nikos E. , Zamora-López Gorka , Díaz-Guilera Albert , Antonopoulos Chris G.
Published: January 2016

Chimera states, namely the coexistence of coherent and incoherent behavior, were previously analyzed in complex networks. However, they have not been extensively studied in modular networks. Here, we consider a neural network inspired by the connectome of the C. elegans soil worm, organized into six interconnected communities, where neurons obey chaotic bursting dynamics. Neurons are assumed to be connected with electrical synapses within their communities and with chemical synapses across them. As our numerical simulations reveal, the coaction of these two types of coupling can shape the dynamics in such a way that chimera-like states can happen. They consist of a fraction of synchronized neurons which belong to the larger communities and a fraction of desynchronized neurons which are part of smaller communities. In addition to the Kuramoto order parameter ρ, we also employ other measures of coherence, such as the chimera-like χ and metastability λ indices, which quantify the degree of synchronization among communities and along time, respectively. We perform the same analysis for networks that share common features with the C. elegans neural network. Similar results suggest that under certain assumptions, chimera-like states are prominent phenomena in modular networks and might provide insight for the behavior of more complex modular networks.
Combining personal with social information facilitates host defences and explains why cuckoos should be secretive
Authors: Thorogood Rose , Davies Nicholas B.
Published: January 2016

Individuals often vary defences in response to local predation or parasitism risk. But how should they assess threat levels when it pays their enemies to hide? For common cuckoo hosts, assessing parasitism risk is challenging: cuckoo eggs are mimetic and adult cuckoos are secretive and resemble hawks. Here, we show that egg rejection by reed warblers depends on combining personal and social information of local risk. We presented model cuckoos or controls at a pair’s own nest (personal information of an intruder) and/or on a neighbouring territory, to which they were attracted by broadcasts of alarm calls (social information). Rejection of an experimental egg was stimulated only when hosts were alerted by both social and personal information of cuckoos. However, pairs that rejected eggs were not more likely to mob a cuckoo. Therefore, while hosts can assess risk from the sight of a cuckoo, a cuckoo cannot gauge if her egg will be accepted from host mobbing. Our results reveal how hosts respond rapidly to local variation in parasitism and why it pays cuckoos to be secretive, both to avoid alerting their targets and to limit the spread of social information in the local host neighbourhood.
A flexible proximity sensor formed by duplex screen/screen-offset printing and its application to non-contact detection of human breathing
Authors: Nomura Ken-ichi , Kaji Ryosaku , Iwata Shiro , Otao Shinobu , Imawaka Naoto , Yoshino Katsumi , Mitsui Ryosuke , Sato Junya , Takahashi Seiya , Nakajima Shin-ichiro , Ushijima Hirobumi
Published: January 2016

We describe a flexible capacitance-type sensor that can detect an approaching human without contact, fabricated by developing and applying duplex conductive-ink printing to a film substrate. The results of our calculations show that the difference in size between the top and bottom electrodes of the sensor allows for the spatial extension of the electric field distribution over the electrodes. Hence, such a component functions as a proximity sensor. This thin and light device with a large form factor can be arranged at various places, including curved surfaces and the back of objects such that it is unnoticeable. In our experiment, we attached it to the back of a bed and found that our device successfully detected the breathing of a subject on the bed without contacting his body. This should contribute to reducing the physical and psychological discomfort among patients during medical checks, or when their condition is being monitored.
More than just heat: ambient ionization mass spectrometry for determination of the species of origin of processed commercial products—application to psychoactive pepper supplements
Authors: Lesiak Ashton D. , Musah Rabi A.
Published: January 2016

Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry coupled with statistical analysis tools were applied to deduce the plant species from which a variety of commercial products were derived.
Determination of ochratoxin A and citrinin in fruits using ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction followed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction with HPLC with fluorescence detection
Authors: Ruan Chunqiang , Diao Xue , Li Na , Zhang He , Pang Yan , Liu Chenglan
Published: January 2016

A novel approach which uses ultrasound-assisted extraction (USAE) combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) was proposed for the preconcentration of ultra amounts of ochratoxin A and citrinin in fruit samples.
Crystal structures and physicochemical properties of diltiazem base and its acetylsalicylate, nicotinate and l-malate salts
Authors: Stepanovs D. , Jure M. , Gosteva M. , Popelis J. , Kiselovs G. , Mishnev A.
Published: January 2016

Molecular salts of diltiazem with aspirin, niacin and l-malic acid have been synthesized. Their crystal structures and physicochemical properties have been investigated.
Structural diversity of uranyl acrylates
Authors: Klepov Vladislav V. , Vologzhanina Anna V. , Alekseev Evgeny V. , Pushkin Denis V. , Serezhkina Larisa B. , Sergeeva Olga A. , Knyazev Aleksandr V. , Serezhkin Viktor N.
Published: January 2016

Uranyl acrylate can contain different numbers of water molecules and exhibit significant structural diversity caused by flexibility of hydrogen bonds.
Selective CO2uptake and vapor adsorption study within Sn(iv) porphyrin crystals
Authors: Wang S. , Knowles G. P. , Chaffee A. L. , Langford S. J.
Published: January 2016

The supramolecular porphyrin networks described show exceptional skeleton robustness as examined by N2, CH4, CO2sorption studies and solvent vapour uptake. The pore size as well as surface properties of the channels can be successfully tuned by modification of the discrete porphyrin diphenolate molecules.
Experimental evidence of ZnS precursor anisotropy activated by ethylenediamine for constructing nanowires and single-atomic layered hybrid structures
Authors: Han Shaobo , Liu Wei , Sun Kai , Zu Xiaotao
Published: January 2016

Lateral view of a single-atomic layered ZnS(EN)0.5 hybrid structure (left: BF-STEM image, right: schematic structure).
Ultra-fast single-file transport of a simple liquid beyond the collective behavior zone
Authors: Su Jiaye , Yang Keda , Huang Decai
Published: January 2016

Breakdown of the collective single-file behavior leads to ultra-fast transport of a simple liquid.
The mechanism of excited state proton dissociation in microhydrated hydroxylamine clusters
Authors: Thisuwan Jittima , Suwannakham Parichart , Lao-ngam Charoensak , Sagarik Kritsana
Published: January 2016

Photoacid-dissociation mechanism in microhydrated NH2OH clusters consist of the S0 → S1 excitation, formation of the NH2O˙–H3O+˙ complex, H-bond chain extension and fluctuation of the local-dielectric environment.
Identification of Au–S complexes on Au(100)
Authors: Walen Holly , Liu Da-Jiang , Oh Junepyo , Yang Hyun Jin , Kim Yousoo , Thiel P. A.
Published: January 2016

Using a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we have identified a set of related Au–S complexes that form on Au(100), when sulfur adsorbs and lifts the hexagonal surface reconstruction.
Stabilization of reactive species by supramolecular encapsulation
Authors: Galan Albano , Ballester Pablo
Published: January 2016

This review describes and updated overview of the stabilization of reactive species and reaction intermediates by inclusion in nanocavities provided by covalent- and supra-molecular containers.
Copper mediated carbometalation reactions
Authors: Müller D. S. , Marek I.
Published: January 2016

This tutorial review gives an overview on copper-mediated carbometalation reactions with a special emphasis on carbometalation of cyclopropenes.
Ternary rare earth silicides RE2M3Si4(RE = Sc, Y, Lu; M = Mo, W): crystal structure, coloring and electronic properties
Authors: Nielsen Morten B. , Xie Weiwei , Cava Robert J.
Published: January 2016

Four intermetallic silicides with Gd5Si4structure were synthesized and characterized. Electronic and geometric factors govern cation order.
Ru alkylidene compounds bearing tridentate, dianionic ligands: Lewis acid activation and olefin metathesis
Authors: McKinty Adam M. , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: January 2016

The series of tridentate complexes were prepared and shown to react with BCl3to give the complexes affording neutral and cationic complexes sequentially. The generated five coordinate cations were evaluated in standard preliminary tests for olefin metathesis catalysis.
Axially diethylaminophenoxypropanoxy substituted new subphthalocyanines: synthesis and electropolymerization properties
Authors: Biyiklioglu Zekeriya , Alp Hakan
Published: January 2016

The treatment of boron(iii) subphthalocyanine chloride with 1,3-bis[3-(diethylamino)phenoxy]propan-2-ol 2 and 2,3-bis[3-(diethylamino)phenoxy]propan-1-ol 4 in toluene gave the corresponding axially substituted boron(iii) subphthalocyanine compounds 3 and 5.
Electrolysis of metal oxides in MgCl2based molten salts with an inert graphite anode
Authors: Yuan Yating , Li Wei , Chen Hualin , Wang Zhiyong , Jin Xianbo , Chen George Z.
Published: January 2016

Electrolysis of solid metal oxides has been demonstrated in MgCl2–NaCl–KCl melt at 700 °C taking the electrolysis of Ta2O5as an example. Both the cathodic and anodic processes have been investigated using cyclic voltammetry, and potentiostatic and constant voltage electrolysis, with the cathodic products analysed by XRD and SEM and the anodic products by GC. Fast electrolysis of Ta2O5against a graphite anode has been realized at a cell voltage of 2 V, or a total overpotential of about 400 mV. The energy consumption was about 1 kW h kgTa−1with a nearly 100% Ta recovery. The cathodic product was nanometer Ta powder with sizes of about 50 nm. The main anodic product was Cl2gas, together with about 1 mol% O2gas and trace amounts of CO. The graphite anode was found to be an excellent inert anode. These results promise an environmentally-friendly and energy efficient method for metal extraction by electrolysis of metal oxides in MgCl2based molten salts.
A bimetallic Ni–Ti nanoparticle modified indium tin oxide electrode fabricated by the ion implantation method for studying the direct electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol
Authors: Yu Yanan , Yang Qinlan , Li Xiansheng , Guo Meisong , Hu Jingbo
Published: January 2016

This study has investigated the oxidation of methanol (CH3OH) on a novel bimetallic Ni–Ti nanoparticle-modified indium tin oxide electrode (Ni–Ti NP/ITO) fabricated by the ion implantation method.
Novel urea derivative-based ionic liquids with dual-functions: CO2 capture and conversion under metal- and solvent-free conditions
Authors: Liu Mengshuai , Liang Lin , Li Xin , Gao Xiangxiang , Sun Jianmin
Published: January 2016

Novel environmentally benign urea derivative-based ILs were successfully prepared and characterized, and displayed exceptional performances for both CO2 capture and CO2 catalytic conversion under metal-, cocatalyst- and solvent-free conditions.
A gas-phase coupling process for simultaneous production of γ-butyrolactone and furfuryl alcohol without external hydrogen over bifunctional base-metal heterogeneous catalysts
Authors: Hu Qi , Fan Guoli , Yang Lan , Cao Xinzhong , Zhang Peng , Wang Baoyi , Li Feng
Published: January 2016

A solvent-free gas-phase coupling process through hydrogen transfer without external hydrogen was conducted over novel bifunctional base-metal heterogeneous catalysts.
Delivery of siRNA using ternary complexes containing branched cationic peptides: the role of peptide sequence, branching and targeting
Authors: Kudsiova Laila , Welser Katharina , Campbell Frederick , Mohammadi Atefeh , Dawson Natalie , Cui Lili , Hailes Helen C. , Lawrence M. Jayne , Tabor Alethea B.
Published: January 2016

Ternary nanocomplexes, composed of bifunctional cationic peptides, lipids and siRNA, as delivery vehicles for siRNA have been investigated.
Isopropylation of 2-naphthol over mesoporous silicoaluminophosphate-37 (MESO-SAPO-37): the effect of bond dissociation energy on product distribution
Authors: Yadav Rekha , Sakthivel Ayyamperumal
Published: January 2016

Mesoporous-SAPO-37 is found to be a promising catalyst for 2-naphthol alkylation with the formation of 6-isopropyl-2-naphthol as a major product (60%).
Hydrazine electrooxidation mediated by transition metal octaethylporphyrin-modified electrodes
Authors: Canales Camila , Gidi Leyla , Arce Roxana , Ramírez Galo
Published: January 2016

Glassy carbon electrodes modified with cobalt(ii) octaethylporphyrin capable of catalyzing hydrazine oxidation at low overpotentials.
Rational optimization of amber suppressor tRNAs toward efficient incorporation of a non-natural amino acid into protein in a eukaryotic wheat germ extract
Authors: Ogawa Atsushi , Namba Yuki , Gakumasawa Mai
Published: January 2016

Amber suppressor tRNAs (sup-tRNAs) were rationally optimized toward efficient incorporation of a non-natural amino acid (AcPhe) into protein in a eukaryotic wheat germ extract.
Comparison of transport between two bacteria in saturated porous media with distinct pore size distribution
Authors: Bai Hongjuan , Cochet Nelly , Drelich Audrey , Pauss André , Lamy Edvina
Published: January 2016

The transport behaviour ofEscherichia coliandKlebsiellasp. was studied under saturated flow conditions to explore the effect of pore size distribution and bacteria cell properties on microbial transport.
Experimental and theoretical studies of adsorption of ibuprofen on raw and two chemically modified activated carbons: new physicochemical interpretations
Authors: Sellaoui Lotfi , Guedidi Hanen , SarraWjihi SarraWjihi , Reinert Laurence , Knani Salah , Duclaux Laurent , Ben Lamine Abdelmottaleb
Published: January 2016

Knowledge of the ibuprofen (IBP) adsorption isotherms is important to understand and to improve its depollution process.
Theoretical study and design of highly efficient platinum(ii) complexes bearing tetradentate ligands for OLED
Authors: Feng Ting-Ting , Bai Fu-Quan , Xie Li-Ming , Tang Yongan , Zhang Hong-Xing
Published: January 2016

Theoretical study for improving the efficiency of a novel tetradentate platinum(ii) complexes in OLED by molecular modification.
The multi-channel reaction of the OH radical with 5-hydroxymethylcytosine: a computational study
Authors: Jin Lingxia , Zhao Caibin , Liu Cunfang , Min Suotian , Zhang Tianlei , Wang Zhiyin , Wang Wenliang , Zhang Qiang
Published: January 2016

The hydroxyl radical may attack the new cytosine derivative 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmCyt), causing DNA oxidative damage. Two distinct mechanisms have been explored and our results provide some evidence between 5-hmCyt and tumor development.
Enhanced purification of carbon nanotubes by microwave and chlorine cleaning procedures
Authors: Gomez Virginia , Irusta Silvia , Lawal Olawale B. , Adams Wade , Hauge Robert H. , Dunnill Charles W. , Barron Andrew R.
Published: January 2016

A new two-step purification method of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) involving a microwave treatment followed by a gas-phase chlorination process is reported.
Electrochemical sensing of hydrazine using multilayer graphene nanobelts
Authors: Kannan Padmanathan Karthick , Moshkalev Stanislav A. , Rout Chandra Sekhar
Published: January 2016

The electrochemical sensing property of multilayer graphene nanobelts (GNB) towards hydrazine is studied. GNB shows excellent sensitivity towards hydrazine with good stability and selectivity.
Y2BaZnO5:Er3+ microcapsules with enhanced upconversion by vanadium ion codoping
Authors: Luitel Hom Nath , Chand Rumi , Torikai Toshio , Yada Mitsunori , Watari Takanori
Published: January 2016

Er3+/V5+/Yb3+ doped Y2BaZnO5 microcapsules of 1–3 μm were prepared by HT route. Bright green to orange UC was observed by dual 800 and 980 nm laser excitation. More than 3 fold intensification of Er UC was achieved by 3 mol% V5+ substitution.
Lipid membrane formation on chemical gradient modified surfaces
Authors: Zhang Ying , Wang Xuejing , Ma Shenghua , Jiang Kunpeng , Han Xiaojun
Published: January 2016

The relationship between surface wetting properties and lipid membrane status formed via giant unilamellar vesicle rupture was investigated using chemical gradient surfaces.
Synthesis of protein/hydroxyapatite nano-composites by a high-gravity co-precipitation method
Authors: Peng H. , Zhang D. , Sun B. , Luo Y. , Lv S. , Wang J. , Chen J.
Published: January 2016

A high-gravity co-precipitation strategy was introduced to the fabrication of protein/hydroxyapatite nano-composites with improved protein adsorption efficiencies and enhanced biocompatibilities.
Roles of hydrocarbon chain-length in preparing graphene oxide from mildly-oxidized graphite with intercalating anionic aliphatic surfactants
Authors: Hu Yang , Li Zhuang , Li Hongqiang , Liu Yanyan , Song Shaoxian
Published: January 2016

The longer the length of carbon chain, the higher the yield of graphene oxide prepared.
Highly efficient l-lactic acid production from xylose in cell recycle continuous fermentation using Enterococcus mundtii QU 25
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Mohamed Ali , Tashiro Yukihiro , Zendo Takeshi , Sakai Kenji , Sonomoto Kenji
Published: January 2016

We report an effective cell recycling continuous fermentation of xylose to l-lactic acid with high concentration, productivity, and yield using strain QU 25. pH was found to affect the yield and corn steep liquor as feeding medium enhanced the yield.
Improved poling efficiency of polyurethanes containing spindle-like chromophores by a functional group tuning for nonlinear optic (NLO) materials
Authors: Li Chuangyang , Li Ming , Li Yao , Zhang Yingchao , Cai Zhenzhen , Shi Zuosen , Wang Xibin , Zhang Daming , Cui Zhanchen
Published: January 2016

Spindle-like chromophores suspended in polyurethane NLO materials could be oriented without any other doped polymers and exhibited satisfactory temporal stability performance.
One-dimensional collective migration of a proliferating cell monolayer
Authors: Recho Pierre , Ranft Jonas , Marcq Philippe
Published: January 2016

Motivated by recent experiments on the expansion of highly cohesive cell sheets, our model of collective cell migration in one spatial dimension shows that constant front velocity results from the combined mechanical effects of bulk cell proliferation and front lamellipodial activity.
Facile synthesis of graphene nanoplate-supported porous Pt–Cu alloys with high electrocatalytic properties for methanol oxidation
Authors: Zhang Genlei , Yang Zhenzhen , Zhang Wen , Wang Yuxin
Published: January 2016

A porous Pt1Cu1 alloy nanocrystal catalyst supported on 1-aminopyrene functionalized graphene nanoplates, which is a highly active catalyst for methanol oxidation in alkaline medium, is synthesized by a one-step method without any high boiling point organic solvents, surfactants, stabilizers and templates.
Fullerene imposed high open-circuit voltage in efficient perovskite based solar cells
Authors: Gil-Escrig Lidón , Momblona Cristina , Sessolo Michele , Bolink Henk J.
Published: January 2016

Five different commercially available fullerenes are evaluated as hole blocking/electron transporting materials in p–i–n methylammonium lead iodide perovskite solar cells using a vacuum deposited perovskite absorber layer.
Silver nanoparticle based coatings enhance adipogenesis compared to osteogenesis in human mesenchymal stem cells through oxidative stress
Authors: He Wei , Elkhooly Tarek A. , Liu Xujie , Cavallaro Alex , Taheri Shima , Vasilev Krasimir , Feng Qingling
Published: January 2016

Silver nanoparticle based coatings preserve the osteogenesis capacity while promoting the adipogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells through oxidative stress.
Great improvement on the selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde over CrOx- and FeOx-promoted Ir/SiO2 catalysts
Authors: Yuan Ju-Fang , Luo Ce-Qi , Yu Qin , Jia Ai-Ping , Hu Geng-Shen , Lu Ji-Qing , Luo Meng-Fei
Published: January 2016

Ir/SiO2 catalysts promoted with CrOx and FeOx are very active, selective and stable for selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde.
Kinetic analysis of a high-affinity antibody/antigen interaction performed by planar waveguide fluorescence immunosensor
Authors: Guo Hongli , Zhou Xiaohong , Zhang Yan , Gu Chunmei , Song Baodong , Shi Hanchang
Published: January 2016

Methods based on optical biosensors for the investigation of biomolecular interactions between high-affinity antibodies and antigens has advanced over the last years.
The advanced LIGO input optics
Authors: Mueller Chris L. , Arain Muzammil A. , Ciani Giacomo , DeRosa Ryan. T. , Effler Anamaria , Feldbaum David , Frolov Valery V. , Fulda Paul , Gleason Joseph , Heintze Matthew , Kawabe Keita , King Eleanor J. , Kokeyama Keiko , Korth William Z. , Martin Rodica M. , Mullavey Adam , Peold Jan , Quetschke Volker , Reitze David H. , Tanner David B. , Vorvick Cheryl , Williams Luke F. , Mueller Guido
Published: January 2016

The advanced LIGO gravitational wave detectors are nearing their design sensitivity and should begin taking meaningful astrophysical data in the fall of 2015. These resonant optical interferometers will have unprecedented sensitivity to the strains caused by passing gravitational waves. The input optics play a significant part in allowing these devices to reach such sensitivities. Residing between the pre-stabilized laser and the main interferometer, the input optics subsystem is tasked with preparing the laser beam for interferometry at the sub-attometer level while operating at continuous wave input power levels ranging from 100 mW to 150 W. These extreme operating conditions required every major component to be custom designed. These designs draw heavily on the experience and understanding gained during the operation of Initial LIGO and Enhanced LIGO. In this article, we report on how the components of the input optics were designed to meet their stringent requirements and present measurements showing how well they have lived up to their design.
Methane dissociation on Pt(111): Searching for a specific reaction parameter density functional
Authors: Nattino Francesco , Migliorini Davide , Bonfanti Matteo , Kroes Geert-Jan
Published: January 2016

The theoretical description of methane dissociating on metal surfaces is a current frontier in the field of gas-surface dynamics. Dynamical models that aim at achieving a highly accurate description of this reaction rely on potential energy surfaces based on density functional theory calculations at the generalized gradient approximation. We focus here on the effect that the exchange-correlation functional has on the reactivity of methane on a metal surface, using CHD3 + Pt(111) as a test case. We present new ab initio molecular dynamics calculations performed with various density functionals, looking also at functionals that account for the van der Waals (vdW) interaction. While searching for a semi-empirical specific reaction parameter density functional for this system, we find that the use of a weighted average of the PBE and the RPBE exchange functionals together with a vdW-corrected correlation functional leads to an improved agreement with quantum state-resolved experimental data for the sticking probability, compared to previous PBE calculations. With this semi-empirical density functional, we have also investigated the surface temperature dependence of the methane dissociation reaction and the influence of the rotational alignment on the reactivity, and compared our results with experiments.
Forward and backward in time dispersion of fluid and inertial particles in isotropic turbulence
Authors: Bragg Andrew D. , Ireland Peter J. , Collins Lance R.
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we investigate both theoretically and numerically the Forward-In-Time (FIT) and Backward-In-Time (BIT) dispersion of fluid and inertial particle-pairs in isotropic turbulence. Fluid particles are known to separate faster BIT than FIT in three-dimensional turbulence, and we find that inertial particles do the same. However, we find that the irreversibility in the inertial particle dispersion is in general much stronger than that for fluid particles. For example, the ratio of the BIT to FIT mean-square separation can be up to an order of magnitude larger for the inertial particles than for the fluid particles. We also find that for both the inertial and fluid particles, the irreversibility becomes stronger as the scale of their separation decreases. Regarding the physical mechanism for the irreversibility, we argue that whereas the irreversibility of fluid particle-pair dispersion can be understood in terms of a directional bias arising from the energy transfer process in turbulence, inertial particles experience an additional source of irreversibility arising from the non-local contribution to their velocity dynamics, a contribution that vanishes in the limit St → 0, where St is the particle Stokes number. For each given initial (final, in the BIT case) separation, r0, there is an optimum value of St for which the dispersion irreversibility is strongest, as such particles are optimally affected by both sources of irreversibility. We derive analytical expressions for the BIT, mean-square separation of inertial particles and compare the predictions with numerical data obtained from a Reλ ≈ 582 (where Reλ is the Taylor Reynolds number) Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) of particle-laden isotropic turbulent flow. The small-time theory, which in the dissipation range is valid for times ≤max[Stτη, τη] (where τη is the Kolmogorov time scale), is in excellent agreement with the DNS. The theory for long-times is in good agreement with the DNS provided that St is small enough so that the inertial particle motion at long-times may be considered as a perturbation about the fluid particle motion, a condition that would in fact be satisfied for arbitrary St at sufficiently long-times in the limit Reλ → ∞.
Partial wrapping and spontaneous endocytosis of spherical nanoparticles by tensionless lipid membranes
Authors: Spangler Eric J. , Upreti Sudhir , Laradji Mohamed
Published: January 2016

Computer simulations of an implicit-solvent particle-based model are performed to investigate the interactions between small spherical nanoparticles and tensionless lipid bilayers. We found that nanoparticles are either unbound, wrapped by the bilayer, or endocytosed. The degree of wrapping increases with increasing the adhesion strength. The transition adhesion strength between the unbound and partially wrapped states decreases as the nanoparticle diameter is increased. We also observed that the transition adhesion strength between the wrapped states and endocytosis state decreases with increasing the nanoparticle diameter. The partial wrapping of the nanoparticles by the tensionless bilayer is explained by an elastic theory which accounts for the fact that the interaction between the nanoparticle and the bilayer extends beyond the contact region. The theory predicts that for small nanoparticles, the wrapping angle increases continuously with increasing the adhesion strength. However, for relatively large nanoparticles, the wrapping angle exhibits a discontinuity between weakly and strongly wrapped states. The size of the gap in the wrapping angle between the weakly wrapped and strongly wrapped states increases with decreasing the range of nanoparticle-bilayer interaction.
Transform-limited-pulse representation of excitation with natural incoherent light
Authors: Chenu Aurélia , Brumer Paul
Published: January 2016

The excitation of molecular systems by natural incoherent light relevant, for example, to photosynthetic light-harvesting is examined. We show that the result of linear excitation with natural incoherent light can be obtained using incident light described in terms of transform limited pulses, as opposed to conventional classical representations with explicit random character. The derived expressions allow for computations to be done directly for any thermal light spectrum using a simple wave function formalism and provide a route to the experimental determination of natural incoherent excitation using pulsed laser techniques. Pulses associated with solar and cosmic microwave background radiation are provided as examples.
Nonequilibrium study of the intrinsic free-energy profile across a liquid-vapour interface
Authors: Braga Carlos , Muscatello Jordan , Lau Gabriel , Müller Erich A. , Jackson George
Published: January 2016

We calculate an atomistically detailed free-energy profile across a heterogeneous system using a nonequilibrium approach. The path-integral formulation of Crooks fluctuation theorem is used in conjunction with the intrinsic sampling method to calculate the free-energy profile for the liquid-vapour interface of the Lennard-Jones fluid. Free-energy barriers are found corresponding to the atomic layering in the liquid phase as well as a barrier associated with the presence of an adsorbed layer as revealed by the intrinsic density profile. Our findings are in agreement with profiles calculated using Widom’s potential distribution theorem applied to both the average and the intrinsic profiles as well as the literature values for the excess chemical potential.
Modeling generic aspects of ideal fibril formation
Authors: Michel D.
Published: January 2016

Many different proteins self-aggregate into insoluble fibrils growing apically by reversible addition of elementary building blocks. But beyond this common principle, the modalities of fibril formation are very disparate, with various intermediate forms which can be reshuffled by minor modifications of physico-chemical conditions or amino-acid sequences. To bypass this complexity, the multifaceted phenomenon of fibril formation is reduced here to its most elementary principles defined for a linear prototype of fibril. Selected generic features, including nucleation, elongation, and conformational recruitment, are modeled using minimalist hypotheses and tools, by separating equilibrium from kinetic aspects and in vitro from in vivo conditions. These reductionist approaches allow to bring out known and new rudiments, including the kinetic and equilibrium effects of nucleation, the dual influence of elongation on nucleation, the kinetic limitations on nucleation and fibril numbers, and the accumulation of complexes in vivo by rescue from degradation. Overlooked aspects of these processes are also pointed: the exponential distribution of fibril lengths can be recovered using various models because it is attributable to randomness only. It is also suggested that the same term “critical concentration” is used for different things, involved in either nucleation or elongation.
Doppler-scanning tunneling microscopy current imaging in superconductor-ferromagnet hybrids
Authors: Moore S. A. , Plummer G. , Fedor J. , Pearson J. E. , Novosad V. , Karapetrov G. , Iavarone M.
Published: January 2016

Mapping the distribution of currents inside a superconductor is usually performed indirectly through imaging of the stray magnetic fields above the surface. Here, we show that by direct imaging of the Doppler shift contribution to the quasiparticle excitation spectrum in the superconductor using low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, we obtain directly the distribution of supercurrents inside the superconductor. We demonstrate the technique at the example of superconductor/ferromagnet hybrid structure that produces intricate current pattern consisting of combination Meissner shielding currents and Abrikosov vortex currents.
Exact vs. asymptotic spectral densities in the Garg-Onuchic-Ambegaokar charge transfer model and its effect on Fermi’s golden rule rate constants
Authors: Sun Xiang , Geva Eitan
Published: January 2016

The Garg-Onuchic-Ambegaokar model [J. Chem. Phys. 83, 4491 (1985)] has been used extensively for benchmarking methods aimed at calculating charge transfer rates. Within this model, the donor and acceptor diabats are described as shifted parabolas along a single primary mode, which is bilinearly coupled to a harmonic bath consisting of secondary modes, characterized by an Ohmic spectral density with exponential cutoff. Rate calculations for this model are often performed in the normal mode representation, with the corresponding effective spectral density given by an asymptotic expression derived at the limit where the Ohmic bath cutoff frequency is much larger than the primary mode frequency. We compare Fermi’s golden rule rate constants obtained with the asymptotic and exact effective spectral densities. We find significant deviations between rate constants obtained from the asymptotic spectral density and those obtained from the exact one in the deep inverted region. Within the range of primary mode frequencies commonly employed, we find that the discrepancies increase with decreasing temperature and with decreasing primary mode frequency.
Controlling the high frequency response of H2 by ultra-short tailored laser pulses: A time-dependent configuration interaction study
Authors: Schönborn Jan Boyke , Saalfrank Peter , Klamroth Tillmann
Published: January 2016

We combine the stochastic pulse optimization (SPO) scheme with the time-dependent configuration interaction singles method in order to control the high frequency response of a simple molecular model system to a tailored femtosecond laser pulse. For this purpose, we use H2 treated in the fixed nuclei approximation. The SPO scheme, as similar genetic algorithms, is especially suited to control highly non-linear processes, which we consider here in the context of high harmonic generation. Here, we will demonstrate that SPO can be used to realize a “non-harmonic” response of H2 to a laser pulse. Specifically, we will show how adding low intensity side frequencies to the dominant carrier frequency of the laser pulse and stochastically optimizing their contribution can create a high-frequency spectral signal of significant intensity, not harmonic to the carrier frequency. At the same time, it is possible to suppress the harmonic signals in the same spectral region, although the carrier frequency is kept dominant during the optimization.