bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of JCPyV infection mediated by targeted viral genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Chou Yi-ying , Krupp Annabel , Kaynor Campbell , Gaudin Raphaël , Ma Minghe , Cahir-McFarland Ellen , Kirchhausen Tom
Published: November 2016

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a debilitating disease resulting from infection of oligodendrocytes by the JC polyomavirus (JCPyV). Currently, there is no anti-viral therapeutic available against JCPyV infection. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system (CRISPR/Cas9) is a genome editing tool capable of introducing sequence specific breaks in double stranded DNA. Here we show that the CRISPR/Cas9 system can restrict the JCPyV life cycle in cultured cells. We utilized CRISPR/Cas9 to target the noncoding control region and the late gene open reading frame of the JCPyV genome. We found significant inhibition of virus replication and viral protein expression in cells recipient of Cas9 together with JCPyV-specific single-guide RNA delivered prior to or after JCPyV infection.
Impairment of the serotonergic neurons underlying reinforcement elicits extinction of the repeatedly reactivated context memory
Authors: Balaban Pavel M. , Vinarskaya Alia Kh. , Zuzina Alena B. , Ierusalimsky Victor N. , Malyshev Aleksey Yu.
Published: November 2016

We analyzed changes in the activity of individually identifiable neurons involved in the networks underlying feeding and withdrawal behaviors in snails before, during, and after aversive learning in vitro. Responses to food in the “reinforcing” serotonergic neurons involved in withdrawal changed significantly after training, implying that these serotonergic cells participate in the reactivation of memory and are involved in the reconsolidation process. In behavioral experiments it was shown that impairment of the functioning of the serotonergic system with the selective neurotoxin 5,7-DiHT did not change the memory, when tested once, but resulted in a complete extinction of the contextual memory after repeated reactivation of memory. Conversely, the cued memory to a specific type of food was significantly reduced but still present. Thus, we conclude that it is only for the context memory, that participation of the “reinforcing” serotonergic neurons in memory retrieval may be the gate condition for the choice between extinction/reconsolidation.
High-throughput living cell-based optical biosensor for detection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using a red fluorescent protein reporter system
Authors: Jiang Hui , Jiang Donglei , Shao Jingdong , Sun Xiulan , Wang Jiasheng
Published: November 2016

Due to the high toxicity of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), resulting in sepsis and septic shock, two major causes of death worldwide, significant effort is directed toward the development of specific trace-level LPS detection systems. Here, we report sensitive, user-friendly, high-throughput LPS detection in a 96-well microplate using a transcriptional biosensor system, based on 293/hTLR4A-MD2-CD14 cells that are transformed by a red fluorescent protein (mCherry) gene under the transcriptional control of an NF-κB response element. The recognition of LPS activates the biosensor cell, TLR4, and the co-receptor-induced NF-κB signaling pathway, which results in the expression of mCherry fluorescent protein. The novel cell-based biosensor detects LPS with specificity at low concentration. The cell-based biosensor was evaluated by testing LPS isolated from 14 bacteria. Of the tested bacteria, 13 isolated Enterobacteraceous LPSs with hexa-acylated structures were found to increase red fluorescence and one penta-acylated LPS from Pseudomonadaceae appeared less potent. The proposed biosensor has potential for use in the LPS detection in foodstuff and biological products, as well as bacteria identification, assisting the control of foodborne diseases.
Effects of endothelial cell proliferation and migration rates in a computational model of sprouting angiogenesis
Authors: Norton Kerri-Ann , Popel Aleksander S.
Published: November 2016

Angiogenesis, the recruitment of new blood vessels, is a critical process for the growth, expansion, and metastatic dissemination of developing tumors. Three types of cells make up the new vasculature: tip cells, which migrate in response to gradients of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stalk cells, which proliferate and extend the vessels, and phalanx cells, which are quiescent and support the sprout. In this study we examine the contribution of tip cell migration rate and stalk cell proliferation rate on the formation of new vasculature. We calculate several vascular metrics, such as the number of vascular bifurcations per unit volume, vascular segment length per unit volume, and vascular tortuosity. These measurements predict that proliferation rate has a greater effect on the spread and extent of vascular growth compared to migration rate. Together, these findings provide strong implications for designing anti-angiogenic therapies that may differentially target endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Computational models can be used to predict optimal anti-angiogenic therapies in combination with other therapeutics to improve outcome.
Increased expression of proenkephalin and prodynorphin mRNAs in the nucleus accumbens of compulsive methamphetamine taking rats
Authors: Cadet Jean Lud , Krasnova Irina N. , Walther Donna , Brannock Christie , Ladenheim Bruce , McCoy Michael T. , Collector Daniel , Torres Oscar V. , Terry Ndeah , Jayanthi Subramaniam
Published: November 2016

Addiction is associated with neuroadaptive changes in the brain. In the present paper, we used a model of methamphetamine self-administration during which we used footshocks to divide rats into animals that continue to press a lever to get methamphetamine (shock-resistant) and those that significantly reduce pressing the lever (shock-sensitive) despite the shocks. We trained male Sprague-Dawley rats to self-administer methamphetamine (0.1 mg/kg/infusion) for 9 hours daily for 20 days. Control group self-administered saline. Subsequently, methamphetamine self-administration rats were punished by mild electric footshocks for 10 days with gradual increases in shock intensity. Two hours after stopping behavioral experiments, we euthanized rats and isolated nucleus accumbens (NAc) samples. Affymetrix Array experiments revealed 24 differentially expressed genes between the shock-resistant and shock-sensitive rats, with 15 up- and 9 downregulated transcripts. Ingenuity pathway analysis showed that these transcripts belong to classes of genes involved in nervous system function, behavior, and disorders of the basal ganglia. These genes included prodynorphin (PDYN) and proenkephalin (PENK), among others. Because PDYN and PENK are expressed in dopamine D1- and D2-containing NAc neurons, respectively, these findings suggest that mechanisms, which impact both cell types may play a role in the regulation of compulsive methamphetamine taking by rats.
A network-based phenotype mapping approach to identify genes that modulate drug response phenotypes
Authors: Cairns Junmei , Ung Choong Yong , da Rocha Edroaldo Lummertz , Zhang Cheng , Correia Cristina , Weinshilboum Richard , Wang Liewei , Li Hu
Published: November 2016

To better address the problem of drug resistance during cancer chemotherapy and explore the possibility of manipulating drug response phenotypes, we developed a network-based phenotype mapping approach (P-Map) to identify gene candidates that upon perturbed can alter sensitivity to drugs. We used basal transcriptomics data from a panel of human lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) to infer drug response networks (DRNs) that are responsible for conferring response phenotypes for anthracycline and taxane, two common anticancer agents use in clinics. We further tested selected gene candidates that interact with phenotypic differentially expressed genes (PDEGs), which are up-regulated genes in LCL for a given class of drug response phenotype in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Our results indicate that it is possible to manipulate a drug response phenotype, from resistant to sensitive or vice versa, by perturbing gene candidates in DRNs and suggest plausible mechanisms regulating directionality of drug response sensitivity. More important, the current work highlights a new way to formulate systems-based therapeutic design: supplementing therapeutics that aim to target disease culprits with phenotypic modulators capable of altering DRN properties with the goal to re-sensitize resistant phenotypes.
Geographic Distributions in Hypertension Diagnosis, Measurement, Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment and Control Rates among Middle-aged and Older Adults in China
Authors: Yin Minghui , Augustin Balekouzou , Fu Zhen , Yan Mingming , Fu Adan , Yin Ping
Published: November 2016

Hypertension is of public health importance in China, but information on geographic distribution on hypertension by map visualization is limited for middle-aged and older adults. Regional geographic variations remain unexplained. Our study is to present geographic distributions at the provincial level and identify provinces and municipalities with high hypertension diagnosis, measurement and prevalence rates and/or low awareness, treatment, control rates among aged 45+ adults in China. We used data collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (n = 13,583) of Chinese people aged 45 years or older. We used weighted rates for our analysis. The rates by provinces and municipalities were compared using map visualization, and explore the main factors of the disparity using ordinal logistic regression. Higher hypertension prevalence rates (56.3%) but lower hypertension awareness, treatment and control rates (37.3%, 21.1% and 14.9%, respectively) were observed in Guizhou. Shanghai and Beijing had the highest hypertension prevalence, awareness and treatment rates (65.0%, 87.8% and 80.0% for Shanghai, 57.5%, 88.6% and 77.5% for Beijing, respectively). Remarkable variations were observed among surveyed provinces and municipalities. Several Chinese regions show particularly higher prevalence rates and/or lack of hypertension awareness and poor control.
Food color is in the eye of the beholder: the role of human trichromatic vision in food evaluation
Authors: Foroni Francesco , Pergola Giulio , Rumiati Raffaella Ida
Published: November 2016

Non-human primates evaluate food quality based on brightness of red and green shades of color, with red signaling higher energy or greater protein content in fruits and leafs. Despite the strong association between food and other sensory modalities, humans, too, estimate critical food features, such as calorie content, from vision. Previous research primarily focused on the effects of color on taste/flavor identification and intensity judgments. However, whether evaluation of perceived calorie content and arousal in humans are biased by color has received comparatively less attention. In this study we showed that color content of food images predicts arousal and perceived calorie content reported when viewing food even when confounding variables were controlled for. Specifically, arousal positively co-varied with red-brightness, while green-brightness was negatively associated with arousal and perceived calorie content. This result holds for a large array of food comprising of natural food - where color likely predicts calorie content - and of transformed food where, instead, color is poorly diagnostic of energy content. Importantly, this pattern does not emerged with nonfood items. We conclude that in humans visual inspection of food is central to its evaluation and seems to partially engage the same basic system as non-human primates.
Independent and collective roles of surface structures at different length scales on pool boiling heat transfer
Authors: Li Calvin H. , Rioux Russell P.
Published: November 2016

Spherical Cu nanocavity surfaces are synthesized to examine the individual role of contact angles in connecting lateral Rayleigh-Taylor wavelength to vertical Kevin-Helmholtz wavelength on hydrodynamic instability for the onset of pool boiling Critical Heat Flux (CHF). Solid and porous Cu pillar surfaces are sintered to investigate the individual role of pillar structure pitch at millimeter scale, named as module wavelength, on hydrodynamic instability at CHF. Last, spherical Cu nanocavities are coated on the porous Cu pillars to create a multiscale Cu structure, which is studied to examine the collective role and relative significance of contact angles and module wavelength on hydrodynamic instability at CHF, and the results indicate that module wavelength plays the dominant role on hydrodynamic instability at CHF when the height of surface structures is equal or above ¼ Kelvin-Helmholtz wavelength. Pool boiling Heat Transfer Coefficient (HTC) enhancements on spherical Cu nanocavity surfaces, solid and porous Cu pillar surfaces, and the integrated multiscale structure have been investigated, too. The experimental results reveal that the nanostructures and porous pillar structures can be combined together to achieve even higher enhancement of HTC than that of individual structures.
To increase size or decrease density? Different Microcystis species has different choice to form blooms
Authors: Li Ming , Zhu Wei , Guo Lili , Hu Jing , Chen Huaimin , Xiao Man
Published: November 2016

The buoyancy of Microcystis colonies is a principal factor determining blooms occurrence but the knowledge of seasonal variation in buoyancy is quite poor because of challenge in analysis method. In this study, a method based on the Stokes’ Law after researching on the effects of shapes on settling velocity of Microcystis colonies, whose gas vesicles were collapsed, to accurately measure density was established. The method was used in Lake Taihu. From January to May, mean density of Microcystis colonies decreased from 995 kg m−3 to 978 kg m−3 and then increased to 992 kg m−3 in December. The density of colonies in different Microcystis species was in the order M. wesenbergii > M. aeruginosa > M. ichthyoblabe. For all the Microcystis species, the density of colonies with gas vasicles increased significantly along with the increase of colony size. Our results suggested that the main driving factor of Microcystis blooms formation in Lake Taihu was low density for M. ichthyoblabe from May to July but was large colony size for M. wesenbergii and M. aeruginosa from August to October.
An anomalous interlayer exciton in MoS2
Authors: Azhikodan Dilna , Nautiyal Tashi , Shallcross Sam , Sharma Sangeeta
Published: November 2016

The few layer transition metal dichalcogenides are two dimensional materials that have an intrinsic gap of the order of ≈2 eV. The reduced screening in two dimensions implies a rich excitonic physics and, as a consequence, many potential applications in the field of opto-electronics. Here we report that a layer perpendicular electric field, by which the gap size in these materials can be efficiently controlled, generates an anomalous inter-layer exciton whose binding energy is independent of the gap size. We show this originates from the rich gap control and screening physics of TMDCs in a bilayer geometry: gating the bilayer acts on one hand to increase intra-layer screening by reducing the gap and, on the other hand, to decrease the inter-layer screening by field induced charge depletion. This constancy of binding energy is both a striking exception to the universal reduction in binding energy with gap size that all materials are believed to follow, as well as evidence of a degree of control over inter-layer excitons not found in their well studied intra-layer counterparts.
Glycinergic dysfunction in a subpopulation of dorsal horn interneurons in a rat model of neuropathic pain
Authors: Imlach Wendy L. , Bhola Rebecca F. , Mohammadi Sarasa A. , Christie Macdonald J.
Published: November 2016

The development of neuropathic pain involves persistent changes in signalling within pain pathways. Reduced inhibitory signalling in the spinal cord following nerve-injury has been used to explain sensory signs of neuropathic pain but specific circuits that lose inhibitory input have not been identified. This study shows a specific population of spinal cord interneurons, radial neurons, lose glycinergic inhibitory input in a rat partial sciatic nerve ligation (PNL) model of neuropathic pain. Radial neurons are excitatory neurons located in lamina II of the dorsal horn, and are readily identified by their morphology. The amplitude of electrically-evoked glycinergic inhibitory post-synaptic currents (eIPSCs) was greatly reduced in radial neurons following nerve-injury associated with increased paired-pulse ratio. There was also a reduction in frequency of spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs) and miniature IPSCs (mIPSC) in radial neurons without significantly affecting mIPSC amplitude. A subtype selective receptor antagonist and western blots established reversion to expression of the immature glycine receptor subunit GlyRα2 in radial neurons after PNL, consistent with slowed decay times of IPSCs. This study has important implications as it identifies a glycinergic synaptic connection in a specific population of dorsal horn neurons where loss of inhibitory signalling may contribute to signs of neuropathic pain.
Proteomic characterization of neuromelanin granules isolated from human substantia nigra by laser-microdissection
Authors: Plum Sarah , Steinbach Simone , Attems Johannes , Keers Sharon , Riederer Peter , Gerlach Manfred , May Caroline , Marcus Katrin
Published: November 2016

Neuromelanin is a complex polymer pigment found primarily in the dopaminergic neurons of humansubstantia nigra. Neuromelanin pigment is stored in granules including a protein matrix and lipid droplets. Neuromelanin granules are yet only partially characterised regarding their structure and function. To clarify the exact function of neuromelanin granules in humans, their enrichment and in-depth characterization from humansubstantia nigrais necessary. Previously published global proteome studies of neuromelanin granules in humansubstantia nigrarequired high tissue amounts. Due to the limited availability of human brain tissue we established a new method based on laser microdissection combined with mass spectrometry for the isolation and analysis of neuromelanin granules. With this method it is possible for the first time to isolate a sufficient amount of neuromelanin granules for global proteomics analysis from ten 10 μm tissue sections. In total 1,000 proteins were identified associated with neuromelanin granules. More than 68% of those proteins were also identified in previously performed studies. Our results confirm and further extend previously described findings, supporting the connection of neuromelanin granules to iron homeostasis and lysosomes or endosomes. Hence, this method is suitable for the donor specific enrichment and proteomic analysis of neuromelanin granules.
Hydrogen-bond potential for ice VIII-X phase transition
Authors: Zhang Xi , Chen Shun , Li Jichen
Published: November 2016

Repulsive force between the O-H bonding electrons and the O:H nonbonding pair within hydrogen bond (O-H:O) is an often overlooked interaction which dictates the extraordinary recoverability and sensitivity of water and ice. Here, we present a potential model for this hidden force opposing ice compression of ice VIII-X phase transition based on the density functional theory (DFT) and neutron scattering observations. We consider the H-O bond covalent force, the O:H nonbond dispersion force, and the hidden force to approach equilibrium under compression. Due to the charge polarization within the O:H-O bond, the curvatures of the H-O bond and the O:H nonbond potentials show opposite sign before transition, resulting in the asymmetric relaxation of H-O and O:H (O:H contraction and H-O elongation) and the H+ proton centralization towards phase X. When cross the VIII-X phase boundary, both H-O and O:H contract slightly. The potential model reproduces the VIII-X phase transition as observed in experiment. Development of the potential model may provide a choice for further calculations of water anomalies.
Incorporating citizen science to study plastics in the environment
Authors: Zettler E. R. , Takada H. , Monteleone B. , Mallos N. , Eriksen M. , Amaral-Zettler L. A.
Published: November 2016

Plastic marine debris is a global problem, but due to its widespread and patchy distribution, gathering sufficient samples for scientific research is challenging with limited ship time and human resources.
Gd2O3 and GH combined with red blood cells to improve the sensitivity of contrast agents for cancer targeting MR imaging
Authors: Zhang Kunchi , Cao Yi , Kuang Ye , Liu Min , Chen Yang , Wang Zhili , Hong Shanni , Wang Jine , Pei Renjun
Published: November 2016

Efficient MR imaging probes were fabricated by incorporating gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (Gd2O3) and gadolinium hybrid nanoparticles (GH) within RBCs.
Pushing TC to 27.5 K in a heavy atom radical ferromagnet
Authors: Lekin Kristina , Ogata Kazuma , Maclean Adrian , Mailman Aaron , Winter Stephen M. , Assoud Abdeljalil , Mito Masaki , Tse John S. , Desgreniers Serge , Hirao Naohisa , Dube Paul A. , Oakley Richard T.
Published: November 2016

In the solid state the iodo-substituted bisdiselenazolyl radical 1c orders as a bulk ferromagnet with TC = 10.5 K. With the application of pressure TC rises rapidly, reaching a value of 27.5 K at 2.4 GPa.
(+)-Camphor-mediated kinetic resolution of allylalanes: a strategy towards enantio-enriched cyclohex-2-en-1-ylalane
Authors: Coffinet Michaël , Massicot Fabien , Joseph Jomy , Behr Jean-Bernard , Jaroschik Florian , Vasse Jean-Luc
Published: November 2016

The (+)-camphor-mediated kinetic resolution of cyclohex-2-en-1-ylalane is presented.
ortho-Heterofluorene perylenediimides: synthesis, photophysical, and exciton dynamic properties
Authors: Yu Zhenyi , Wu Yi-Shi , Chen Jianwei , Sun Chunlin , Fu Hongbing
Published: November 2016

We designed heavy-atom-free perylenediimides (PDIs) to prompt the intersystem crossing (ISC) by introducing electron donating heterofluorene groups at the head positions of electron-deficient PDI core.
Direct measurements of ionic liquid layering at a single mica–liquid interface and in nano-films between two mica–liquid interfaces
Authors: Griffin Lucy R. , Browning Kathryn L. , Clarke Stuart M. , Smith Alexander M. , Perkin Susan , Skoda M. W. A. , Norman Sarah E.
Published: November 2016

The layering of an ionic liquid close to the charged surface of mica is investigated.
Water transport within carbon nanotubes on a wave
Authors: Li Jin-Yi , Wu Zeng-Qiang , Xu Jing-Juan , Chen Hong-Yuan , Xia Xing-Hua
Published: November 2016

The transport of water molecules in CNTs proceeds as a wave motion with eigen frequencies determined by the CNT size.
Dipolar dissociation dynamics in electron collisions with carbon monoxide
Authors: Chakraborty Dipayan , Nag Pamir , Nandi Dhananjay
Published: November 2016

Fragmentation dynamics of ion-pair states of carbon monoxide in electron collisions through direct and indirect excitation.
Photonic crystals: emerging biosensors and their promise for point-of-care applications
Authors: Inan Hakan , Poyraz Muhammet , Inci Fatih , Lifson Mark A. , Baday Murat , Cunningham Brian T. , Demirci Utkan
Published: November 2016

This review describes photonic crystal-based biosensors and discusses their potential applications and promise at the point-of-care settings.
Mesoporous silica coated silica–titania spherical particles: from impregnation to core–shell formation
Authors: Shiba Kota , Takei Toshiaki , Ogawa Makoto
Published: November 2016

Controlled impregnation of silica into titania–octadecylamine hybrid particles resulted in the formation of various nanostructures depending on Si/Ti ratio.
Iridium(iii) phosphorescent complexes with dual stereogenic centers: single crystal, electronic circular dichroism evidence and circularly polarized luminescence properties
Authors: Li Tian-Yi , Zheng You-Xuan , Zhou Yong-Hui
Published: November 2016

Two iridium complexes with a chiral metal center and chiral carbons were separated as four isomers termed Λ/Δ-(dfppy)2Ir(chty-R) and Λ/Δ-(dfppy)2Ir(chty-S). Each enantiomeric couple shows mirror-image crystal structures, and ECD/CPL spectra highlight both the chiral sources.
Indirect synthesis of a pair of formal methane activation products at a phosphane/borane frustrated Lewis pair
Authors: Frömel Silke , Daniliuc Constantin G. , Bannwarth Christoph , Grimme Stefan , Bussmann Kathrin , Kehr Gerald , Erker Gerhard
Published: November 2016

The endergonic formal FLP methane activation products were obtained by an indirect stepwise synthesis and shown to be kinetically stable.
Correction: Synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene rhenium(i) carbonyl complexes
Authors: Chen Chang-Hong , Liu Yi-Hung , Peng Shie-Ming , Chen Jwu-Ting , Liu Shiuh-Tzung
Published: November 2016

Correction for ‘Synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene rhenium(i) carbonyl complexes’ by Chang-Hong Chen, et al., Dalton Trans., 2012, 41, 2747–2754.
Aldehyde/ketone-catalyzed highly selective synthesis of 9-monoalkylated fluorenes by dehydrative C-alkylation with primary and secondary alcohols
Authors: Chen Jianhui , Li Yang , Li Shuangyan , Liu Jianping , Zheng Fei , Zhang Zhengping , Xu Qing
Published: November 2016

Carbonyl compounds efficiently catalyze the dehydrative 9-C-alkylation of fluorenes with various primary and secondary alcohols to provide the useful 9-monoalkylated fluorenes in high selectivities.
Influence of the target material on secondary plasma formation underwater and its laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) signal
Authors: Gavrilović M. R. , Lazic V. , Jovićević S.
Published: November 2016

The significant influence of the target material properties on subsequent plasma and bubble formation in underwater laser ablation is demonstrated through the examples of α-alumina and pure Al targets.
Digital DNA detection based on a compact optofluidic laser with ultra-low sample consumption
Authors: Lee Wonsuk , Chen Qiushu , Fan Xudong , Yoon Dong Ki
Published: November 2016

DNA lasers self-amplify optical signals from a DNA analyte as well as thermodynamic differences between sequences, allowing quasi-digital DNA detection.
Solvent extraction of americium(iii) and europium(iii) with tridentate N,N-dialkyl-1,10-phenanthroline-2-amide-derived ligands: extraction, complexation and theoretical study
Authors: Cao Shiwei , Wang Jieru , Tan Cunmin , Zhang Xin , Li Sa , Tian Wei , Guo Hangxu , Wang Lei , Qin Zhi
Published: November 2016

Herein, the extraction and complexation of americium(iii) and europium(iii) with three N,N-dialkyl-1,10-phenanthroline-2-amide analogues were investigated, and theoretical calculations were carried out.
A nordehydroabietyl amide-containing chiral diene for rhodium-catalysed asymmetric arylation to nitroolefins
Authors: Li Ruikun , Wen Zhongqing , Wu Na
Published: November 2016

A non-covalently interacting, phellandrene derived, nordehydroabietyl amide-containing chiral diene was developed in rhodium catalysed asymmetric arylation.
Total synthesis of natural derivatives and artificial analogs of 13-oxyingenol and their biological evaluation
Authors: Ohyoshi Takayuki , Tamura Yuki , Hayakawa Ichiro , Hirai Go , Miyazawa Yamato , Funakubo Shota , Sodeoka Mikiko , Kigoshi Hideo
Published: November 2016

Natural derivatives and artificial analogs of 13-oxyingenol were synthesized, and these analogs induced HL-60 differentiation and apoptosis.
“On water” reaction of deactivated anilines with 4-methoxy-3-buten-2-one, an effective butynone surrogate
Authors: Jebari Meriam , Pasturaud Karine , Picard Baptiste , Maddaluno Jacques , Rezgui Farhat , Chataigner Isabelle , Legros Julien
Published: November 2016

(Z)-Enaminones are easily synthesized from poorly nucleophilic anilines and 4-methoxy-3-buten-2 one (an effective and inexpensive surrogate for 3-butyn-2-one) with impressive “on water” acceleration.
Correction: Supramolecular metalloglycodendrimers selectively modulate lectin binding and delivery of Ru(ii) complexes into mammalian cells
Authors: Bavireddi Harikrishna , Murthy Raghavendra Vasudeva , Gade Madhuri , Sangabathuni Sivakoti , Kikkeri Raghavendra
Published: November 2016

Correction for ‘Supramolecular metalloglycodendrimers selectively modulate lectin binding and delivery of Ru(ii) complexes into mammalian cells’ by Harikrishna Bavireddi, et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2016, DOI: 10.1039/c6ob01546h.
Fabrication of functionalized graphene filled carboxylated nitrile rubber nanocomposites as flexible dielectric materials
Authors: Manna Rakesh , Srivastava Suneel Kumar
Published: November 2016

XNBR/GNS–HDA nanocomposites exhibited enhanced tensile strength, elongation at break, reduced Young's modulus and high dielectric constants at low dielectric loss.
The implications of various molecular interactions on the dielectric behavior of cimetidine and cimetidine hydrochloride
Authors: Rams-Baron M. , Wojnarowska Z. , Jedrzejowska A. , Swiety-Pospiech A. , Paluch M.
Published: November 2016

We employed broadband dielectric spectroscopy to characterize the molecular dynamics of cimetidine base and cimetidine hydrochloride, materials with similar structural skeletons but involving different molecular interactions (ionic vs. non-ionic).
The large response current of a vacuum pressure sensor based on a vertically-aligned ZnO nanowires array
Authors: Wang Ding , Zheng Xuejun , Cao Xinchao , Wang Xianying , Zhang Tong
Published: November 2016

A vertically-aligned ZnO nanowires (VA-ZnO-NWs) array was prepared via chemical vapor deposition, which was used to fabricate a vacuum pressure sensor and its sensitive characteristics were measured using a semiconductor parameter tester.
Effect of type of stirring on hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction and electromembrane extraction of basic drugs: speed up extraction time and enhancement of extraction efficiency
Authors: Nojavan Saeed , Tahmasebi Zeinab , Hosseiny Davarani Saied Saeed
Published: November 2016

In microextraction procedures, the stirring of the donor solution is crucial to speed up the extraction.
Accelerated microwave assisted synthesis of alumino-germanate imogolite nanotubes
Authors: Avellan A. , Levard C. , Chaneac C. , Borschneck D. , Onofri F. R. A. , Rose J. , Masion A.
Published: November 2016

Microwave assisted synthesis of Ge-imogolite nanotubes reduced the time required for their growth and shifted their length repartition towards larger values.
Controllable synthesis of hierarchical CuS/ZnS hetero-nanowires as high-performance visible-light photocatalysts
Authors: Feng Caihong , Meng Xianpu , Song Xiaolu , Feng Xueting , Zhao Yun , Liu Gao
Published: November 2016

Novel CuS/ZnS hetero-nanowires were synthesized through a template-free chemical solution method. The improved photocatalytic activities are attributed to the p–n heterojunctions, one-dimensional nanostructure and large specific surface area.
Preparation of crosslinked porous polyurea microspheres in one-step precipitation polymerization and its application for water treatment
Authors: Yu Bing , Luo Yongli , Cong Hailin , Gu Chuantao , Wang Wenlin , Tian Chao , Zhai Jiexiu , Usman Muhammad
Published: November 2016

Porous polyurea microspheres (PPUMs) were simply prepared in one-step by the precipitation polymerization of isophorone diisocyanate with triethylenetetramine and SiO2 particles.
Research on a spectral recognition method for on-line measurement of COD in dyeing wastewater based on SIMCA
Authors: Mai Wei , Zhang Jianfei , Zhao Xiaoming , Li Zheng , Xu Zhiwei
Published: November 2016

A novel instrument and a method using multi-wavelength spectra combined with a pattern recognition method (SIMCA) were developed and evaluated.
Porous polyurethanes based on hyperbranched amino ethers of boric acid
Authors: Davletbaeva I. M. , Nurgaliyeva G. R. , Akhmetshina A. I. , Davletbaev R. S. , Atlaskin A. A. , Sazanova T. S. , Efimov S. V. , Klochkov V. V. , Vorotyntsev I. V.
Published: November 2016

Novel polyurethanes with hierarchical supramolecular structure were synthesized via polyaddition reaction of amino ethers of boric acid and polyisocyanate.
A green synthesis of Pd nanoparticles supported on modified montmorillonite using aqueous Ocimum sanctum leaf extract: a sustainable catalyst for hydrodechlorination of 4-chlorophenol
Authors: Saikia Pallab Kumar , Bhattacharjee Rakhi Paul , Sarmah Podma Pollov , Saikia Lakshi , Dutta Dipak Kumar
Published: November 2016

A green synthesis of Pd nanoparticles on montmorillonite clay using Ocimum sanctum leaf extract and its application in hydrodechlorination of 4-chlorophenol in water.
Preparation of rutile TiO2@avobenzone composites for the further enhancement of sunscreen performance
Authors: Wang Can , Zuo Shixiang , Liu Wenjie , Yao Chao , Li Xiazhang , Li Zhongyu
Published: November 2016

It is well known that organic avobenzone and inorganic TiO2 are applied to shield UVA and UVB, respectively.
Equilibrium, isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic studies for removal of tetracycline antibiotics by adsorption onto hazelnut shell derived activated carbons from aqueous media
Authors: Fan Hong-Tao , Shi Li-Qi , Shen Hua , Chen Xi , Xie Kun-Peng
Published: November 2016

Hazelnut shell, an agricultural waste, was used to prepare activated carbons by phosphoric acid activation.
Nitrogen doped graphene supported α-MnO2nanorods for efficient ORR in a microbial fuel cell
Authors: Gautam Rajeev K. , Bhattacharjee Himaghna , Venkata Mohan S. , Verma Anil
Published: November 2016

Efficient ORR electrocatalyst and modular design of MFC.
Facile fabrication of heterostructured cubic-CuFe2O4/ZnO nanofibers (c-CFZs) with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity and magnetic separation
Authors: Lu Chuchu , Bao Zhimin , Qin Chuanxiang , Dai Lixing , Zhu Aiping
Published: November 2016

Photocatalytic mechanism of a c-CuFe2O4/ZnO nanofibers (c-CFZs) p–n heterojunction.
Introducing a composite coating containing CNTs with good corrosion properties: characterization and simulation
Authors: Bakhsheshi-Rad H. R. , Abdellahi M. , Hamzah E. , Daroonparvar M. , Rafiei M.
Published: November 2016

A duplex composite coating containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was successfully deposited on a Mg–Zn–Ca alloy by an atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) technique.
Optimization of electrical stimulation parameters for MG-63 cell proliferation on chitosan/functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube films
Authors: Allahyari Zahra , Haghighipour Nooshin , Moztarzadeh Fathollah , Ghazizadeh Leila , Hamrang Mohammad , Shokrgozar Mohammad Ali , Gholizadeh Shayan
Published: November 2016

Combination of electrical stimulation with CNT-based conductive films and obtaining optimum signal parameters for MG-63 cells.
Correction: Selective oxidation passing through η3-ozone intermediates: applications to direct propene epoxidation using molecular oxygen oxidant
Authors: Manz Thomas A. , Yang Bo
Published: November 2016

Correction for ‘Selective oxidation passing through η3-ozone intermediates: applications to direct propene epoxidation using molecular oxygen oxidant’ by Thomas A. Manz et al., RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 27755–27774.
Correction: Developments in conducting polymer fibres: from established spinning methods toward advanced applications
Authors: Mirabedini Azadeh , Foroughi Javad , Farajikhah Syamak , Wallace Gordon G.
Published: November 2016

Correction for ‘Developments in conducting polymer fibres: from established spinning methods toward advanced applications’ by Azadeh Mirabedini et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 44687–44716.
Bioinspired M-13 bacteriophage-based photonic nose for differential cell recognition
Authors: Moon Jong-Sik , Kim Won-Geun , Shin Dong-Myeong , Lee So-Young , Kim Chuntae , Lee Yujin , Han Jiye , Kim Kyujung , Yoo So Young , Oh Jin-Woo
Published: November 2016

A bioinspired M-13 bacteriophage-based photonic nose was developed for differential cell recognition.
Conductive molecularly doped gold films
Authors: Naor Hadas , Divon Yiftach , Iagher Lior , Etgar Lioz , Avnir David
Published: November 2016

Organic doping of gold films is a new alternative for adsorption, allowing the entrapmernt of a redox couple and affecting the work function.
Quantum confinement in EuO heterostructures
Authors: Prinz Günther M. , Gerber Timm , Lorke Axel , Müller Martina
Published: November 2016

Quantum wells are created from ultrathin single-crystalline EuO layers to study the evolution of the optical band gap down to the single nanometer regime. We find that the EuO band gap is indirect—independent of quantum well thickness—and increases from 1.19 eV for bulk-like (d = 32 nm) to ≈1.4 eV in the ultrathin films (d = 1.1 nm). The observed band-gap widening is a clear sign of a quantum confinement effect, which can be used to control and modify the band gap in EuO-based all-oxide heterostructures.
Multicharged carbon ion generation from laser plasma
Authors: Balki Oguzhan , Elsayed-Ali Hani E.
Published: November 2016

Carbon ions generated by ablation of a carbon target using an Nd:YAG laser pulse (wavelength λ = 1064 nm, pulse width τ = 7 ns, and laser fluence of 10-110 J cm−2) are characterized. Time-of-flight analyzer, a three-mesh retarding field analyzer, and an electrostatic ion energy analyzer are used to study the charge and energy of carbon ions generated by laser ablation. The dependencies of the ion signal on the laser fluence, laser focal point position relative to target surface, and the acceleration voltage are described. Up to C4+ ions are observed. When no acceleration voltage is applied between the carbon target and a grounded mesh in front of the target, ion energies up to ∼400 eV/charge are observed. The time-of-flight signal is analyzed for different retarding field voltages in order to obtain the ion kinetic energy distribution. The ablation and Coulomb energies developed in the laser plasma are obtained from deconvolution of the ion time-of-flight signal. Deconvolution of the time-of-flight ion signal to resolve the contribution of each ion charge is accomplished using data from a retarding field analysis combined with the time-of-flight signal. The ion energy and charge state increase with the laser fluence. The position of the laser focal spot affects the ion generation, with focusing ∼1.9 mm in front of the target surface yielding maximum ions. When an external electric field is applied in an ion drift region between the target and a grounded mesh parallel to the target, fast ions are extracted and separated, in time, due to increased acceleration with charge state.
Curvature effects in two-dimensional optical devices inspired by transformation optics
Authors: Yuan Shuhao , Zhang Yongyou , Zhang Qingyun , Zou Bingsuo , Schwingenschlogl Udo
Published: November 2016

Light transport in curved quasi two-dimensional waveguides is considered theoretically. Within transformation optics and tensor theory, a concise description of curvature effects on transverse electric and magnetic waves is derived. We show that the curvature can induce light focusing and photonic crystal properties, which are confirmed by finite element simulations. Our results indicate that the curvature is an effective parameter for designing quasi two-dimensional optical devices in the fields of micro and nano photonics.
Self-assembly of F16ZnPc thin films and F16ZnPc-ZnPc heterostructures on deactivated Si surfaces studied by scanning tunneling microscopy
Authors: Tan Andrew , Wagner Sean , Zhang Pengpeng
Published: November 2016

Using scanning tunneling microscopy, we show that hexadecafluorinated zinc phthalocyanine (F16ZnPc) molecules form two morphologically different self-assembled structures that both display point-on-line coincident epitaxial registration with the deactivated Si(111)-B 3×3 surface. The packing motif in these structures suggests that fluorination of conjugated organic molecules can lead to stronger molecule-substrate interaction, π-π intermolecular interaction, and side-to-side intermolecular repulsion. The delicate balance and interplay between these interactions determine the self-assembly behavior of fluorinated molecules. Furthermore, we demonstrate the formation of vertically and laterally stacked F16ZnPc-ZnPc heterojunctions, allowing for future spectroscopy investigation of molecular electronic structures and charge transfer behavior at organic-organic hetero-interfaces.
The Advanced LIGO photon calibrators
Authors: Karki S. , Tuyenbayev D. , Kandhasamy S. , Abbott B. P. , Abbott T. D. , Anders E. H. , Berliner J. , Betzwieser J. , Cahillane C. , Canete L. , Conley C. , Daveloza H. P. , De Lillo N. , Gleason J. R. , Goetz E. , Izumi K. , Kissel J. S. , Mendell G. , Quetschke V. , Rodruck M. , Sachdev S. , Sadecki T. , Schwinberg P. B. , Sottile A. , Wade M. , Weinstein A. J. , West M. , Savage R. L.
Published: November 2016

The two interferometers of the Laser Interferometry Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) recently detected gravitational waves from the mergers of binary black hole systems. Accurate calibration of the output of these detectors was crucial for the observation of these events and the extraction of parameters of the sources. The principal tools used to calibrate the responses of the second-generation (Advanced) LIGO detectors to gravitational waves are systems based on radiation pressure and referred to as photon calibrators. These systems, which were completely redesigned for Advanced LIGO, include several significant upgrades that enable them to meet the calibration requirements of second-generation gravitational wave detectors in the new era of gravitational-wave astronomy. We report on the design, implementation, and operation of these Advanced LIGO photon calibrators that are currently providing fiducial displacements on the order of 10−18m/Hz with accuracy and precision of better than 1%.
Global Langevin model of multidimensional biomolecular dynamics
Authors: Schaudinnus Norbert , Lickert Benjamin , Biswas Mithun , Stock Gerhard
Published: November 2016

Molecular dynamics simulations of biomolecular processes are often discussed in terms of diffusive motion on a low-dimensional free energy landscape F(𝒙). To provide a theoretical basis for this interpretation, one may invoke the system-bath ansatz á la Zwanzig. That is, by assuming a time scale separation between the slow motion along the system coordinate x and the fast fluctuations of the bath, a memory-free Langevin equation can be derived that describes the system’s motion on the free energy landscape F(𝒙), which is damped by a friction field and driven by a stochastic force that is related to the friction via the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. While the theoretical formulation of Zwanzig typically assumes a highly idealized form of the bath Hamiltonian and the system-bath coupling, one would like to extend the approach to realistic data-based biomolecular systems. Here a practical method is proposed to construct an analytically defined global model of structural dynamics. Given a molecular dynamics simulation and adequate collective coordinates, the approach employs an “empirical valence bond”-type model which is suitable to represent multidimensional free energy landscapes as well as an approximate description of the friction field. Adopting alanine dipeptide and a three-dimensional model of heptaalanine as simple examples, the resulting Langevin model is shown to reproduce the results of the underlying all-atom simulations. Because the Langevin equation can also be shown to satisfy the underlying assumptions of the theory (such as a delta-correlated Gaussian-distributed noise), the global model provides a correct, albeit empirical, realization of Zwanzig’s formulation. As an application, the model can be used to investigate the dependence of the system on parameter changes and to predict the effect of site-selective mutations on the dynamics.
Extrema of the dynamic pressure in an irrotational regular wave train
Authors: Constantin A.
Published: November 2016

We prove that in a regular wave train, which propagates at the surface of water in irrotational flow over a flat bed, the maximum and minimum of the dynamic pressure occur at the wave crest and at the wave trough, respectively. This result is valid without any restrictions on the wave amplitude.
Selective growth of epitaxial Sr2IrO4 by controlling plume dimensions in pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Seo S. S. A. , Nichols J. , Hwang J. , Terzic J. , Gruenewald J. H. , Souri M. , Thompson J. , Connell J. G. , Cao G.
Published: November 2016

We report that epitaxial Sr2IrO4 thin-films can be selectively grown using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Due to the competition between the Ruddlesden-Popper phases of strontium iridates (Srn+1IrnO3n+1), conventional PLD methods often result in mixed phases of Sr2IrO4 (n = 1), Sr3Ir2O7 (n = 2), and SrIrO3 (n = ∞). We have discovered that reduced PLD plume dimensions and slow deposition rates are the key for stabilizing pure Sr2IrO4 phase thin-films, identified by real-time in-situ monitoring of their optical spectra. The slow film deposition results in a thermodynamically stable TiO2\\SrO\IrO2\SrO\SrO configuration at an interface rather than TiO2\\SrO\SrO\IrO2\SrO between a TiO2-terminated SrTiO3 substrate and a Sr2IrO4 thin film, which is consistent with other layered oxides grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Our approach provides an effective method for using PLD to achieve pure phase thin-films of layered materials that are susceptible to several energetically competing phases.
Real-space phase field investigation of evolving magnetic domains and twin structures in a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy
Authors: Wu H. H. , Pramanick A. , Ke Y. B. , Wang X.-L.
Published: November 2016

A real-space phase field model combining Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation and time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau equation is developed to investigate the evolution of ferromagnetic domains and martensitic twin structures in a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy at different lengthscales. Both domain and twin structures are obtained by simultaneously solving for minimization of magnetic, elastic, and magnetoelastic coupling energy terms via a nonlinear finite element method. The model is applied to simulate magneto-structural evolution within a nanoparticle and a bulk single-crystal of the alloy Ni2MnGa, which are subjected to mechanical strains. It is shown that a nanoparticle contains magnetic vortex structures within a single twin variant, whereas for a bulk crystal both 90° and 180° domain structures are present within multiple twin variants.
Electrical characteristics and conduction mechanisms of amorphous subnanometric Al2O3–TiO2 laminate dielectrics deposited by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Kahouli Abdelkader , Lebedev Oleg , Dao Vu Hung , Elbahri Marwa Ben , Prellier Wilfrid , Lüders Ulrike
Published: November 2016

Electric conduction mechanisms of amorphous Al2O3/TiO2 (ATO)-laminates deposited by atomic layer deposition with sub-nanometer individual layer thicknesses were studied in a large temperature range. Two characteristic field regions are identified. In the low field region (E ≤ 0.31 MV/cm), the leakage current is dominated by the trap-assisted tunneling through oxygen vacancies occurring in the TiO2, while in the high electric field region (E > 0.31 MV/cm) the Poole Frenkel (PF) hopping is the appropriate conduction process with energy levels depending on the temperature and the electric field. It is shown that the PF potential levels decrease with the applied ATO field due to the overlapping of the Coulomb potential. Amorphous ATO-laminates show the presence of two intrinsic potential energy levels ϕi, which are 0.18 eV for low temperature region and 0.4 eV at high temperature region. Oxygen vacancies are the main origin of traps, which is consistent with the principal mechanisms for leakage in ATO-laminates.